Frame Bent (What to do)

[ptmares]

I bought my '07 Expy EL 6 months ago. I recently had to have it towed, and the tow truck company damaged the front lower bumper cover. All good and fixed now. While at the body shop they told me the frame rail at the front passenger side is bent down. I had know idea the vehicle was in an accident. Carfax (a joke anyway) was clear.

Do I get the frame fixed or not worry about it? Not sure what to do.

 

[GAINMOB]

just me...if its not affecting anything with the engine or cosmectically i say forget about it...make sure they dont report it so if something ever happens its not documented and if it gets worse may get a new truck out of it...hopefully nothing happens

 

[Stoned06]

How did they damage the bumper? Is it possible they dropped it off the tow hooks? How far out of whack is the frame?

 

[ptmares]

When they winched the truck on the flat bed, the tie down chains tore into the lower bumper cover close to the tow hooks. The repair facility didn't give a measurement on how far the frame is bent. It is however noticeable on the drivers side headlight where the bumper butts up to the bottom of the light. I can put my finger in the gap. Passenger side I can't put my finger through.

Not affecting the engine, just some cosmetic now.

Would calling the selling dealer do any good?

Thx for quick replies.

 

[sgtowing]

research the vin online and see if anythig about an accident comes up. If you find something, and you want to get rid of the truck, carfax should buy it from you for the purchase price.

 

[splintrcel]

The bent frame is gonna throw off your handling by a ton. Those front A arms are not gonna be lined up with each other as well as your tie rods so odds are your gonna blow through tires and not be able to align the front end correctly. With an asymmetric front end how is it possible to align it??? I know that frames can be tweaked and if it is a lot of bending, that chassis is scrap and you need a new truck. Steel is tough but when its not made to bend, it shouldn't bend. You can bend it back but odds are the steel is plastically deformed, meaning rebending it will not return it to the original state of the steel. This basically means if you are in a role over the chassis could have issues. So i guess it comes down to how bad is the bend and what the cost comparison is to get a new truck. That is such a crappy situation to be in with that tow truck deal. i would be pissed as hell if that was my truck. I cant say how much it would be to tweak the frame but figure out if the rest of the truck is worth keeping and go from there. Buying a different truck might be easier. I go to school for mechanical engineering and am entering upperclassman status and actively participate in Baja SAE which involves designing and manufacturing full car suspension. Just backing my ranting lol.

 

[ptmares]

The bent frame is gonna throw off your handling by a ton. Those front A arms are not gonna be lined up with each other as well as your tie rods so odds are your gonna blow through tires and not be able to align the front end correctly. With an asymmetric front end how is it possible to align it??? I know that frames can be tweaked and if it is a lot of bending, that chassis is scrap and you need a new truck. Steel is tough but when its not made to bend, it shouldn't bend. You can bend it back but odds are the steel is plastically deformed, meaning rebending it will not return it to the original state of the steel. This basically means if you are in a role over the chassis could have issues. So i guess it comes down to how bad is the bend and what the cost comparison is to get a new truck. That is such a crappy situation to be in with that tow truck deal. i would be pissed as hell if that was my truck. I cant say how much it would be to tweak the frame but figure out if the rest of the truck is worth keeping and go from there. Buying a different truck might be easier. I go to school for mechanical engineering and am entering upperclassman status and actively participate in Baja SAE which involves designing and manufacturing full car suspension. Just backing my ranting lol.

Thanks for the great information. I will have to go somewhere and get an accurate measurement. Didn't even think about how it might chew up tires.

 

[alaskanexpy]

personally, i'd take it to a good frame shop.

at my work we deal with much worse...send them out and they come back like new.

 

[mrford60]

if it is just the right frame horn it wouldnt affect the allignment but it would change how the bumper would fit. have it mesured and go from there, it might just need a small adjustment and all will be good.

 

[ptmares]

if it is just the right frame horn it wouldnt affect the allignment but it would change how the bumper would fit. have it mesured and go from there, it might just need a small adjustment and all will be good.

Thanks. That is a nice positive way to look at it.

Do I get insurance involved to try and repair?

 

[ptmares]

I measured the frame where the tow hooks mount and the drivers side is an 1/8" lower than passenger side. I did measure off my garage concrete floor. Could be a little off. Not sure if an 1/8" difference would throw off body panel alignment a whole lot.

I was told by the repair shop, that all of the front end pieces (plastic bumper, grille, fender, etc.) are aftermarket. Would Ford parts fit that much better?

 

[splintrcel]

I had aftermarket parts put on my truck and they held up like garbage. Ford parts are way to go better hands down. I specifically had issues with the paint on the grill which lasted maybe 3 months before needing warranty work.

 

[mrford60]

you could try your insurance, all they can say is no they wont pay for it.
and Ford parts will fit better, i work in a body shop and we see this all the time.

 

[ptmares]

you could try your insurance, all they can say is no they wont pay for it.
and Ford parts will fit better, i work in a body shop and we see this all the time.

Mrford60, do you have access to a complete front end (bumper, grille, etc.) tear down on a 2007 Expedition? I want to dig into some of the front end parts myself. Thx

 

[mrford60]

do you want an exploded view? i can see what i can do.

 

[ptmares]

do you want an exploded view? i can see what i can do.

That would be great! Much appreciated. Any view would be better then me guessing. Hate to break stuff.

 

[semperfi96]

SUE EVERYONE INVOLVED WITH CAR FLoPS lol wat a joke like you said

 

[semperfi96]

but Im not sure that I would worry about 1/8" of an inch when it comes to body alignment.

Theres a local shop I know here that will put your car on the frame machine and fix minor adjustments for cheap.

 

[ptmares]

but Im not sure that I would worry about 1/8" of an inch when it comes to body alignment.

Theres a local shop I know here that will put your car on the frame machine and fix minor adjustments for cheap.

It may not be cost effective to straighten the frame for an 1/8". Probably have to live with it. I just hate the fact that there is something wrong with the truck. I am one of those people that has to fix something when it is broken.

 

[jglopic]

I'd go back to the dealer from whom you purchased and raise a fuss. Worst thing that happens is you lose an hour or two of your time!