Minor rear end accident - Is frame bent???

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Rick - 01 Jul 2006 07:06 GMT

My Lexus SC 300 was involved in a minor rear end hit and run. The
passenger rear quarter panel was crunched in about a 1/2" in and the
trunk panel was pushed in 2". The car drives fine with no pull and I
cannot see any misalignment. I took the car to 5 body shops and some
will not give me an estimate unless they inspect the car from
underneath and charge a small fee.

Question 1: Is it possible that there can be minor body damage with no
frame damage? I don't want to pay for frame repairs if there is none
there.
Question 2: Can there be frame damage without any misalignment of the
rear wheels?
Question 3: Could a alignment shop (doing a check to determine if there
is any misaligment) determine if there is frame damage or is this a
very specialized type of diagnosis that only a specialized frame
specialist or body shop expert could detect?
Question 4: I saw on a web site that there are frame specialists that
will inspect the frame for damage that may not work for body shops that
are in the business of frame repair and thus interested in generating
work. How do I find these people?
Question 5: Can you see the frame on a modern unibody car or do you
have to remove part of the body?
Question 6: Does anybody know of a good site that can describe the
unibody construction that includes pictures and diagrams?

Thanks for any advice on this, Rick

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Shep - 01 Jul 2006 13:28 GMT

No insurance here? If so the shop has to prove to an adjuster the damage
exists. If the unibody is damaged it is in area that can be pointed out to
you and you will be able to see this for yourself, no magic here.

> My Lexus SC 300 was involved in a minor rear end hit and run. The
> passenger rear quarter panel was crunched in about a 1/2" in and the
[quoted text clipped - 22 lines]
>
> Thanks for any advice on this, Rick

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Don - 01 Jul 2006 15:13 GMT

>My Lexus SC 300 was involved in a minor rear end hit and run. The
>passenger rear quarter panel was crunched in about a 1/2" in and the
>trunk panel was pushed in 2". The car drives fine with no pull and I
>cannot see any misalignment.

There probablly is none. I would be concerned with exhaust and water
entering the trunk from what you describe. Does the trunk lid still
seal?

> I took the car to 5 body shops and some
>will not give me an estimate unless they inspect the car from
>underneath and charge a small fee.

Fair enough. Body shop face a major expense giving out estimates all
day -- often for people who have no intention of getting their car
fixed or who are collecting many estimates for the same job.

>Question 1: Is it possible that there can be minor body damage with no
>frame damage?

Frame and body are one. That's what "unibody" means.

> I don't want to pay for frame repairs if there is none
>there.

From what you described I doubt there is a problem with how the rear
wheels are tracking.

>Question 2: Can there be frame damage without any misalignment of the
>rear wheels?
>Question 3: Could a alignment shop (doing a check to determine if there
>is any misaligment) determine if there is frame damage or is this a
>very specialized type of diagnosis that only a specialized frame
>specialist or body shop expert could detect?

An alignment shop can tell you if the area of the body that mounts the
suspension is crooked. If the alignment is correct or close then that
area of the body was not affected.

>Question 4: I saw on a web site that there are frame specialists that
>will inspect the frame for damage that may not work for body shops that
>are in the business of frame repair and thus interested in generating
>work. How do I find these people?
>Question 5: Can you see the frame on a modern unibody car or do you
>have to remove part of the body?

Frame and body are one. Go ahead and get the detailed estimate from a
body shop and ask them to show you around the underside of your
vehicle. For safety reasons shop areas are typically off limits so
you will have to be considerate and tactful in how you make the
request.

Don
www.donsautomotive.com

>Question 6: Does anybody know of a good site that can describe the
>unibody construction that includes pictures and diagrams?
>
>Thanks for any advice on this, Rick

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