> Just because he straightened the frame, doesn't mean it was the right thing
to
> do. He might drive it for another 20 years without any incident, or he might
> snap it in half next time he hits a pothole. I'm not an expert, and I have
> no idea how badly mangled the frame was. What I do know is this: metal
> weakens the more it gets bent. Take a paper clip. "Straighten" it. Bend it
> back. Straighten it again. Pretty soon, what happens? It snaps in two.
>
> You think driving around on worn ball joints was bad? How do you think you'd
> feel driving around with a weakened frame?
>
> If this other guy wants to take the risk, that's up to him. If you possibly
> can, try to get more than one opinion on why the frame couldn't (or
> shouldn't) have been straightened before you decide they were lying to you.
>
> --
> Jason Bleazard http://drazaelb.blogspot.com Burlington, Ontario
I agree. I work as a claims examiner for a commercial insurance company. We
rarely pay for frame work. In my experience frame straightening almost always
comes out a little off. It creates more liability for the insurance company, as
many auto insurers guarantee the work when performed at one of their authorized
shops. If the truck were to fail catastrophically because of a straightened
frame, they could be looking at a million plus settlement. If the body damage
alone puts it close to a total, frame work will usually push it over the
threshold.
What usually happens is the vehicle goes to the salvage yard, some enterprising
person buys it for pennies, does some work to it and gets it back on the road,
or recycles the parts. At any rate the truck may never ride properly again.
Kevin
1992 CC 318 2wd
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