Thread: Bent Frame - Reality Check

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I've begun to investigate why my Nova is high on the passenger side.
What I have found is a bit overwhelming.
Obviously the car has been rear ended on the right side.
The end of the right frame rail is 1/2 inch higher than the left.
The two attached pictures show the damaged rear cross section and the bent unibody frame.

It appears to me that the entire rear end sheet metal needs replacing.
I have a new tail light section already and can order the wrecked cross member. Quarter skins and outer wheel well need replacing also.

So - the plan is -
Remove the leaf springs. Support both frame rails at the hump.
Trunk pan is partially removed already.
Remove the wrecked cross member.
Cut the bent trunk flat section over the frame to allow the frame to bend down.
Cut the frame right in front of the bend and pull it down 1/2 inch (even with the left frame)
Weld up the frame rail.
Then refit the new cross member.
And work up to the tail light section.

Any suggestions beyond that?
If there's an easier way - I'm listening.

Though I'm sure the pics don't tell the entire story, doesn't really look like it would be that tough of a pull on a good frame machine.... Might want to get some estimates before you go to all the expense and work of replacing pieces and panels.....

Thanks Dave - I also considered cutting a trunk access from the inside and heat and beat the crossmenber back flat while pulling the frame down.
I don't have access to any frame pullers or any way to apply enough downward force.

I'll check with some body shops.
Thats the reality check I was kinda hoping for . . .

Thing is, with a tweak in the structure that you can see, you can almost bet that it's tweaked a couple more places you can't see.... IMO would be worth it to have it checked......

Dave is right. A frame machine man can pull points on the frame to determine the exact extent of the damage and what needs done to correct it. Those things pull from all directions and can move metal you and I can't do any other way.

Don

SBC- you better search real well for the best price possible because I can tell you from experience frame machine straightening on a Nova will run you about $900 here. I hope you can swing a better deal in TX.

frame machine straightening on a Nova will run you about $900

That would be a definate show stopper!!!

Yeah, but the other side of the coin is that if you don't get the car PERFECTLY straight, anything else you do to it won't mean a darned thing. Not only will it not handle well and parts won't fit right, but it will be unsafe also.

There are some things you just can't cut corners on.

Don

Sounds like it has , Twist and diamond in the frame .

Be best to have it checked by a person that knows frames , you cant build a square body on a bent frame ! trunk gaps , door gaps , fender gaps , hood gaps all show signs on a bent frame . Plus you dont want a dog tracking car either

for probably $300 or less you can get it pulled. After that the sheet metal repair will be much easier.

Think of it this way: that $300 will save you $1000 of your own labor.

I wouldn't pull on it. They are always damaged. Like trying to make a piece of wadded up aluminum foil flat and shiny again. Impossible. I'd replace the frame, clip it or buy another car.

Originally Posted by Corvette64

I wouldn't pull on it. They are always damaged. Like trying to make a piece of wadded up aluminum foil flat and shiny again. Impossible. I'd replace the frame, clip it or buy another car.

Being a Nova it's a unibody car, so putting it on the frame machine is about the only option.... That or cut and remove the bent structure with the car on a good chassis table, measure a bunch and put it back together square.... Unibody's are usually a bit lighter and cheaper to build....but repairing them is a bit more difficult....

Originally Posted by Corvette64

I wouldn't pull on it. They are always damaged. Like trying to make a piece of wadded up aluminum foil flat and shiny again. Impossible. I'd replace the frame, clip it or buy another car.

This is a popular misconception that is reinforced by the reality that there are a lot of hack body shops out there. I used to have to convince my customers that in fact a quality shop could very easily return a unibody car to original specs, often times better. All it takes is a commitment to doing the job right, and the right equipment.

Just to add emphasis to Darrel's comment, get the chassis straight before cutting anything, otherwise you're just chasing your tail.

When I worked at the body shop we pulled cars on a daily basis, some with frames and some unibody versions. All of them can be done sucessfully in the hands of a knowledgable tech.

A combo of heating and pulling is sometimes reguired, but we did everything from trucks to Vipers. Once it was done the panels and other stuff like doors would start to fit better.

Don

And what do you do with all the wrinkled sheetmetal hidden under the car? When you get ready to sell and the customer has it up on a rack looking at that mess what will they think? Unless SBC works in a bodyshop I think I'd try to find another body.