After a collision or other accident, you may be relieved if you find that your car appears to have suffered no obvious damage or only minor dents and scratches. However, even at low speeds, it’s possible for your car’s frame to undergo damage that may not be immediately apparent. Because this can be one of the most severe and costly forms of accident damage, it’s imperative that you seek help from a car frame repair specialist to protect your vehicle from the following issues.

A Short Introduction to Car Frame Damage

1. Sway Damage

Sway damage is the result of an impact on any of the corners in your car’s frame. As a result, the frame will lean noticeably in one direction, which can make it difficult to control the car or keep it moving in a straight line. Severe misalignments resulting from this form of frame damage can even lead to transmission issues unless the vehicle is taken to a car frame repair technician as soon as possible.

2. Sagging or Twisting

When a car frame is bent due to a collision, it can cause the weight of the vehicle to be distributed unevenly and lead elements of the frame to sag. The most obvious sign of this problem is the appearance of gaps between body panels. Twisting is a similar problem, but the key difference is that it’s harder to spot. Both issues can cause suspension springs and wheel assemblies to wear out prematurely and reduce overall fuel efficiency.

3. Mashed Frame

A mashed frame usually results from rear-end or head-on collisions. The resulting impact can cause the frame to crumple in on itself, leaving it shorter than its original length. The most immediate sign of this issue is wrinkling or crumpling in the fenders, bumpers, hood, or trunk. This can also lead to sway damage and twisting and sagging. While a car frame repair specialist can restore the vehicle, it may never again be as reliable in a further collision.

If you’re concerned that your vehicle may have suffered from any of these forms of damage in a recent accident, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Novak’s Collision Center. Serving drivers throughout the St. Peters, MO, area since 1995, their fully licensed and certified car frame repair technicians have the cutting-edge equipment and extensive training needed to resolve a wide range of car frame issues. Call (636) 936-0020 to schedule a repair appointment or request a free quote and visit them online to learn more about what they can do for you.