Vehicle Frame Misalignment — Things You Should Know: Insights from an Auto Body Repair Company in La Grange, Illinois
Every automobile has a frame or “chassis” that supports all the components within the vehicle. This frame is designed to withstand a great deal of wear and tear. That said, certain issues can cause it to become bent and misshapen, which can end up making your vehicle dangerous and difficult to drive.
Fortunately, auto mechanics can fix a misaligned vehicle frame. Are you interested in learning about this process? This auto body repair company in La Grange, Illinois is going to review some of the key things you should know below.
What Causes Vehicle Frame Misalignment?
There are several factors that can lead to vehicle frame misalignment. Some of the most common causes include the following:
Potholes
Potholes are an extremely common cause of frame misalignment. Hitting a pothole at high speeds can subject your vehicle’s frame to substantial damage. The sudden and violent impact are simply too much force for your vehicle’s frame to endure.
Curbs
Let’s imagine you’re pulling out of a parking lot, and you’re trying to stay in your lane. While doing so, you accidentally run over the curb. Believe it or not, this one action can result in serious misalignment in your vehicle’s frame.
Collisions
Maybe you ran into a tree? Perhaps you were involved in an accident with other vehicles? Regardless, if your automobile was in a collision, there’s a chance that its frame is now misaligned.
Heavy Loads
In some cases, carrying too much weight with your vehicle will cause its frame to become bent. Note, though, that this typically requires an excessive overload.
Off-roading
Most vehicles aren’t designed to withstand the random bumps and contours of off-road areas. Therefore, if you drive your vehicle off-road for an extended period, there’s a decent chance that its frame will become misaligned.
The Effect of Driving with a Misaligned Vehicle Frame
There are several problems with driving with a misaligned vehicle frame. Doing so affects not only the vehicle’s performance, but its safety as well.
A bent frame will cause a vehicle to feel off-kilter. It could even alter the driver’s perspective of the road. This, in turn, could result in an auto accident occurring.
It should also be noted that a misaligned frame will put excess wear and tear on select components within the vehicle. For instance, it might cause the right front tire to wear down faster than the left front tire.
It’s always best to realign a misaligned frame sooner rather than later. The sooner you do so, the safer you’ll be, and the less damage your vehicle will take on over time.
Need help with vehicle frame misalignment? You can always reach out to your local auto body repair company in La Grange, Illinois.
How to Know if Your Vehicle Frame Is Misaligned
There are several signs of a misaligned vehicle frame. That said, these signs might also indicate a different automotive problem. Therefore, if you detect them, you should bring your vehicle to our auto body repair company in La Grange, Illinois. Their mechanics will be able to assess them and determine their source.
The first sign is excess vibration. The next sign is pulling to the left or the right when letting go of the steering wheel. You should also keep an eye out for inconsistent tire wear; if the left tire is more worn than the right, for instance, it could indicate a misalignment.
Looking for an Auto Body Repair Company in La Grange, Illinois?
Is your vehicle’s frame misaligned? Ready to have it realigned by the best auto body repair company in La Grange, Illinois? If so, Lombard Body & Fender has you covered. We’ve realigned countless vehicle frames, and we’d be more than happy to do the same for yours. Contact us today at (630) 627-8688 to get started.
