I think my frame is bent, how much to fix? (pictures)

Aliate X · Jul 8, 2005

Hey guys I just realized tonight that my frame is most likely bent. I just installed a pro5.0 shifter when in 5th or reverse, it presses aganist the console. My intake also rubs aganist the right shock tower which I know it shouldnt.

I was in an accident about 2 years ago, I hit a telephone pole, and the front left tire took all the hit, I took it to a body shop and they said they had to replace the spindle, strut, lower control arm and engine cradle. I thought it was all fixed, but it seems now that its not.

How much does it cost to unbend a frame?, and am I right, is my frame bent? Heres a pic of my intake hitting the shock tower.

This was before the accident, I belive. Look closely at the intake tube.

And this was just recently.

whtpny · Jul 8, 2005

couldn't tell you about cost on frame straighten, but a buddy did have one done on a full frame pickup for a couple hundred. Did you check the motor mounts and make sure the k member was installed correctly?

Aliate X · Jul 8, 2005

whtpny said:
couldn't tell you about cost on frame straighten, but a buddy did have one done on a full frame pickup for a couple hundred. Did you check the motor mounts and make sure the k member was installed correctly?

What exactly would I be looking for?

Aliate X · Jul 8, 2005

Also, that would throw off the transmission too?

whtpny · Jul 8, 2005

Well the k member is what they called the engine cradle. Needs to be measured when put in to make sure everything is square. Think of it this way. Your k member is installed 1/4 inch out in the front. By the time it gets to where your shifter is in the tranny how far out will that be. If you get the car up on jackstands you can measure from equal points on the frame under the car and determine if it out of whack(so to speak) I would not doubt if possibly it is a frame issue but you may as well find out what you can for yourself before you pay THE MAN to do the same thing. Check all the mounts, making sure all bolts are secure and that your motor mount bushings are not squished out. Convertible mounts are a popular upgrade.
How is the alignment on the car? Wearing out tires?

bmorrisj · Jul 8, 2005

make sure you got new motor mounts and they didnt reuse the old ones, mine are crushed as well as my right frame rail being bent.... its bad enough that my motor sits down and to the left as it is...

Aliate X · Jul 9, 2005

Alright guys, ill let everyone know what happens. I dont think they used new mounts.

fiveohGT · Jul 9, 2005

What exactly can you tell from those pictures?

mob · Jul 9, 2005

fiveohGT said:
What exactly can you tell from those pictures?

shifterpilot5.0 · Jul 9, 2005

You can tel its real dirty, a little wd-40 might fix that. As far as the frame being bent if it does not pull to the left or right when you launch i would not worry about it, Unless you plan to road race it. Take it to your local body shop and have them check it out they can tell you in a few minnutes, if it bent and how much.

Aliate X · Jul 9, 2005

Like I said, look at the intake tube, its pushed up aganist the shock tower, and in the first picture, when I first got it, before the accident its not. And the engine bay is clean now lol.

MisterCMK · Jul 11, 2005

you need to have it checked out, its hard to speculate over the internet.

Tuff02Ranger · Jul 11, 2005

I agree with WHTPNY. Sound like your k-member isn't right from the accident. That and the condition of the motor mounts would be the first things I'd check.

ninety15.0 · Jul 11, 2005

I would double check the motor mounts aswell...i know they can be the root of some pretty serious problems

srothfuss · Jul 11, 2005

First... Take your car to an alingment shop and have them check to see that all four of your wheels are still in line with each other. This should tell you if your frame is bent.

Second, my car has the elbow rubbing the shock tower so I don't think you need to worry too much about that.

88stanggonebad · Jul 11, 2005

my car is a salvaged car and it is exactly the same way, the guy that had it before put a cold air intake and bent the strut tower in to make the pipe fit and it still hits, i changed the engine mount and trany mounts but its the same. i bought a new xpipe i can install because it rubs because of this. i also need to get it sraightened. oh and my tires get worn out on the outside but that could be from it beign lowered

megan_92 · Jul 11, 2005

my frame got messed up in an accident, my cousin's body shop fixed it for $175.. keep in mind your price will depend on how bad it is and how long it will take them to fix it.

87'GTstang · Jul 11, 2005

srothfuss said:
First... Take your car to an alingment shop and have them check to see that all four of your wheels are still in line with each other. This should tell you if your frame is bent.

I used to be alignment tech not too long ago, so when you go get an alignment check, tell the tech doing it to pay attention or tell him to measure for steering axis inclination (SAI) and included angle (IA) - make sure they record these two measurements as they will tell you two very important things:

If your SAI is out of whack - then there is something structurally either bent or broken (or the frame is bent)
If your IA is out of whack, then you probably have something more like a bent spindle, bent control arm, bent strut, or so on.

IA is a measurement in relation to SAI, so if SAI is off - bet on IA as well.

Also, if the vehicle pulls hard, whichever side has a more positive SAI measurement is the side the car will be pulling to (to verify these numbers).

Good luck!

Also, how far off of the firewall does the engine sit after the new K-member?

mustangmax · Jul 12, 2005

You can check with local body shops to see how much they would charge to do a set-up and measure or tie-down and measure of the control points on your front end. This will let you know if the unibody rails are bent. Do any of your front end body panels fit differently?Check the way your fenders align, the gaps between the hood and the fenders and also the fitment of the front bumper cover in relation to the fenders. Also check the strut towers for any stress indications... Cracked paint, seperated welds, etc.

Aliate X · Jul 13, 2005

Thanks for all the advice guys, it really helps a lot, Ill keep everyone updated.

I think my frame is bent, how much to fix? (pictures)

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