Car body frame: replacement and selection

When and why it is necessary to replace car body frame

Manufacturers do not limit service life of this car part by certain terms. The component is replaced when deep or long cracks appear on it, because of severe corrosion as well as in case of significant deformation.

The cause of mechanical damages requiring replacement of the car body frame is usually a road accident. Moreover, component deformation can be, for example, the result of wheel getting into a deep pothole. Appearance of corrosion on the component is usually caused by car usage and storage in high humidity conditions and frequent temperature changes as well as failure to use an anti-corrosion treatment.

Car body frame defects are indicated by gaps between car body elements, its distortion, in particular, near door and window openings, appearance of screeching sound in the suspension, worsening of road-holding ability during straight-line motion. Moreover, the characteristic defect sign of the car body frame is inability to adjust wheel alignment. If your car has no frame, but there are a subframe or an axle beam, you can learn about their defects by this sign as well.

Replacement of the vehicle frame is a laborious process, which, as a rule, requires demounting of many car body elements.