22 Frame Repair

Jumped over here from TacomaWorld looking for more information. To make it short our 2022 was hit in the side directing force onto the rear axle. Good chance the frame is tweaked by the looks of it. Can these be straightened or do they need to be replaced. Checking before repair move forward, thanks in advance.

 

I'd replace any frame if you ask me.

But it wasn't totaled?

 

Doesn’t look damaged other than rear axle slightly tweaked. Will see this week. I didn’t know if shop will fix or replace and what to not let them do

 

So what does the adjuster say?

 

Probably not a write off due to the value.

 

I agree, just didn’t know whether it was a reframe or pull it back into spec.

 

frame is pretty sturdy and hopefully just the trailing arms were tweaked.

id be ok with a frame pull in the rear if it’s needed. way easier to get a solid axle to mount straight over the independent front suspension.

 

Maybe there’s a chance only the links are tweaked, and the frame itself is not damaged. That would be a fairly straight forward “bolt on” repair I would guess.

But if you have it insured, makes sense to go through them.

 

This is the key question. If the adjuster says insurance will pay to have the frame straightened are you going to pay the difference out of pocket for a new frame?

My experience is that as the size of any repair job grows, the odds of it being done right shrink. In my opinion, and owing to your use of the word “tweaked”, I would be more confident in a successful repair if the frame were straightened.

 

Which is why I was asking.

 

Straightening a ladder frame isn't a big deal

 

Not likely given the crossmembers are right there. Links may be bent and the panhard mount may be bent/broken, but those are replaceable.

 

Remember that the insurance company will still be your insurer after the claim. That means that they have an incentive to make sure the repair occurs in a manner that keeps the vehicle safe and roadworthy.

Meanwhile, most body shops will ask how you’d like things to go. While the adjuster can overrule some of the body shop’s judgement calls, there is always going to be a certain amount of gray area.

 

There’s a lot of gray area between straightening the frame and replacing it.

 

Agree, Hoping the links are bent but the steering wheel is off also. Not sure if this could be from shock of everything or the one side of the frame rail shifting back.

 

The steering might appear off center if the rear axle isn’t tracking straight ahead…could be crabbing.

Wait, do you have a tacoma, or a 4runner?

 

Both, this happened to the 4runner

 

Has the body shop checked the frame alignment to determine if it’s in spec or not?

 

Not yet, will keep all updated. Appreciate all the input

 

LCA cam bolts probably shifted (like it happens most of time off road).

 

Sorry for your troubles. A frame or structural repair on the Carfax will cost you a minimum of 10%-15% of the vehicle value at trade in time. A lot dealers won’t take a vehicle with that history on trade at all, Carvana/Vroom won’t buy it for resale. and the value for a potential private buyer will be much lower as well. IMO, if you’re going to move ahead with the repair, now is the time to agree to the diminished value claim with your insurer so that you can recover some of that money at least. Good luck!

 

Out of the shop! It was apparent it was the rear end assembly that was bent once it was removed and laying on the ground. The frame measured within spec and seems to be unscathed. Complete rear assembly along with all links were replaced. I believe we had the best case scenario. Thanks for all the prior input.

 

Former body shop appraiser and Insurance adjuster here. THIS IS THE WAY....

 

A hard call to make without being up close and in Person .

If the Truck still has a Loan the loan holder might insist on the frame being replaced to keep the market value as high as possible.

 

That post was nearly 2 months ago and the OP already updated the thread.

 

Dates I tend to miss all to often.