All,
My 2001 Acura CL-S was involved in a car accident last week. Basically, most of the front-left corner of the car was smashed in. Luckily, it was the other guys fault. More happily, no one was injured in the accident (which is the most important fact).

I heard from the body shop yesterday that my car has a unibody frame and that the frame shifted towards the passenger side and that there are also "height issues" with the frame. Basically, they will use some fancy machine to adjust the frame back to its original position using lasers and whatever else to make it precise.

What's everyone's take on this? Is that safe? Am I going to have issues with the car down the road because they are re-adjusting the frame?

I thought once the frame was moved the car was totalled...but maybe they only total a car if the frame was dented or crushed? (Which it wasn't in my car accident).

Just wanted everyone's thoughts...

Thanks,
RM

 

If done right, no problem. If done worng, time to look for a new car. Not much help, but that is the way it works.

 

You shouldn't be worried about your car being any different after the repair or further down the road as long as you are taking it to a reputable place. I'm in the industry and i could tell you that if the technician knows his job he should be able to repair your car's frame to factory specs. I would ask if there was any sub-frame damage. It sounds to me like your car got hit in the wheel so it is possible that the suspenion mounting points could have possible bent the sub-frame. If this is the case that would need REPLACEMENT. Don't let them tell you they're going to straighten it. Good luck and if you were in the Chicago area I would fix it personally. Keep me posted......

 

The front of the vehicle has 2 frame rails. Possibly one of them was struck and was swayed in and pushed up. They probably use a genesis machine to measure (laser) and pull within factory specs. If done right and the sway was minor, it should not be a problem.

 

Thanks all for the replies.

Since I can't figure out how to attach pictures to this thread, here are the links to the pics of my car:

http://users1.vastnet.net/mitch/04-22-05_1138.jpg
http://users1.vastnet.net/mitch/04-22-05_1139.jpg
http://users1.vastnet.net/mitch/04-22-05_1140.jpg
http://users1.vastnet.net/mitch/04-22-05_1451.jpg
http://users1.vastnet.net/mitch/04-22-05_1452.jpg
http://users1.vastnet.net/mitch/04-22-05_1454.jpg
http://users1.vastnet.net/mitch/04-22-05_1455.jpg
http://users1.vastnet.net/mitch/04-22-05_1456.jpg

Thoughts anyone?

Thanks,
RM

 

It is minor, don't worry. They should be able to do a few minor pulls, probably will take them about an hour or two at the most. After they are done, they should provide you with a printout of before and after measurements. One other way to tell if everything are aligned is to look at gaps beetween panels to see if they are even, like the gap between the hood and left fender. If the gap is consistent from start to finish, you know they pulled it straight.