Frame and unibody damage is invisible to the naked eye but dangerous in every mile you drive afterward. Our computerized laser measuring system identifies misalignment to within 1mm of factory specification and our hydraulic straightening equipment corrects it completely - restoring the structural integrity your vehicle was engineered to provide.
After a significant collision, your vehicle may look repaired on the outside but have frame or unibody misalignment that remains. A bent or twisted frame changes how your vehicle handles, accelerates wear on tires and suspension components, and - most critically - affects how your vehicle's crumple zones perform in a future accident. The crumple zones are engineered to absorb and redirect impact energy in specific ways. A deformed frame cannot do this correctly.
We use a computerized laser measuring system that maps hundreds of reference points on your vehicle's frame or unibody against the manufacturer's factory specifications. This process identifies deviations that are invisible to the eye and impossible to detect with manual measuring. The system generates a precise report of every measurement and tracks correction progress in real time as our technicians work.
Correction is performed using our frame pulling machine, which applies controlled hydraulic force at calculated points to move deformed metal back toward factory position. This is a skilled process - too much force in the wrong location causes additional damage. Our technicians are trained and experienced in reading the measuring data and executing corrections that achieve factory spec without over-correction.
Vehicles equipped with advanced driver assistance systems - including automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and blind spot monitoring - use sensors and cameras that are calibrated relative to the vehicle's geometry. After frame straightening, these systems must be recalibrated to account for the corrected alignment. We perform or coordinate all required ADAS recalibration before returning your vehicle.
Frame damage from a collision is covered under your collision insurance. We document all frame measurements before and after correction and include this documentation in your claim file. If hidden frame damage is discovered during the repair process, we file a supplement directly with your insurer to cover the additional work.
Schedule your free estimate today. We will inspect your vehicle, document the damage, and handle your insurance claim from start to finish.
Everything you need to know before you bring your vehicle in.
Frame damage is rarely visible without measuring equipment. Signs that suggest possible frame damage include uneven panel gaps, doors that do not open or close correctly, the vehicle pulling to one side while driving, unusual tire wear, and visible creasing or buckling in the engine bay or under the vehicle. The only reliable way to confirm frame damage is with computerized measurement.
In most cases, yes. Modern unibody and full-frame vehicles are designed with materials and construction methods that allow straightening back to factory specifications when the deformation is within certain limits. Severely damaged frames - those that have been crushed, cracked, or folded at structural nodes - may require section replacement in addition to straightening. We assess this during the estimate process.
It depends on the severity. Minor misalignment may not immediately affect drivability but still compromises crash protection and will worsen over time. Significant frame damage can affect steering and handling in ways that create an immediate safety hazard. We recommend having any vehicle involved in a significant collision inspected before continuing to drive it.
A properly documented and corrected frame repair, performed at a certified shop, has significantly less impact on resale value than undisclosed frame damage. The key is documentation - we provide complete before-and-after measurement reports that demonstrate the repair was performed to factory specification. Buyers and dealers can verify the repair was done correctly.
Frame straightening typically adds 1 to 3 days to the overall repair timeline depending on the extent of misalignment and whether section replacement is required. It is almost always performed as part of a larger collision repair rather than as a standalone service. We include the frame work timeline in the overall repair estimate.
Yes. Frame damage from a collision is covered under collision insurance. If frame damage is discovered after the initial estimate, we file a supplement with your insurer to cover the additional work. You pay your deductible - we handle the insurer communication and documentation.