Buick Rendezvous with a bent frame?

Question

I have a 2004 Buick Rendezvous that was hit on the passenger side front quarter panel,?
and after getting the estimate done, the repair guy tells me that the frame was bent but they could straighten it out. This to me sounds unsafe, anybody with more experience have an opinion?

Answer 1

Usually when the frame is bent, the insurance company will total out the car. I would suggest obtaining a second opinion. With the frame bent you set yourself up for a lot of problems later with vibration issues and alignment problems.

Good luck!

Answer 2

A bent frame will not absolutely total out a car... depends upon the extent of the damage and location. Get it to a good body shop with a rack and measuring system like Shark or Genesis... and have them look at it. Properly repaired there will be nothing wrong with it... improperly repaired and you've got a mess... General rule of thumb is that if the frame is "kinked" then it will need to be replaced and if it is just bent and can be straightened without the use of heat then it can generally be repaired. Ask the shop for evidence of ICAR training.. they teach body techs how to do repairs. Frame configuration is critical to occupant safety and can affect collapse rate of the vehicle (which protects you) and airbag timing... Make sure it's done right.

Answer 3

We repaired bent frames all the time in the shops I was in---modern frame alignment machines have precise data on specific measurements to be taken at certain points on the frame and a qualified tech can pull out the damage to get the frame back to original specs....plus or minus 2-3 cm. Replacing a frame that is only bent in one area is not necessary. Just make sure the shop and the tech that does the work is ASE qualified in doing frame repair and working on HSS--High Strength Steel.