Frame and Unibody Repair

After a collision, drivers may worry about the frame of the vehicle and their alignment. After an accident, your car won’t drive quite the same, unless it is repaired by a skilled team of auto technicians. If you are wondering if your frame is bent, working with Layton Carcare can bring you peace of mind.

We have state-of-the-art Laser measuring systems to assess the damage to your frame or unibody and then make necessary repairs. We use advanced laser measuring technology to measure the frame and unibody of your car or truck in 3D. The 3D measurements provide our technicians with a complete blueprint of the vehicle.

Our technicians are I-CAR and ASE Certified and won’t stop till your vehicle is returned to pre-accident condition. We can provide a printout of your frame’s specifications to document the condition of your car, before the repair, and after our services.

What Are Frame Machines?

An auto body frame machine is used to repair damage to vehicle frames or the unitized structure of your car.  Frame damage occurs in about half of all vehicle collisions, so it’s important to choose a shop with the proper equipment and trained professionals who know how to use it. Frame machines do the work that humans simply don’t have the strength to do. Frame repair is accomplished through the use of hydraulics, leverage, and sheer torque of the frame or unibody machine.

Frame repair is usually achieved either by pushing or pulling a section of the frame, depending on the damage and the type of frame. For example, with unibody vehicles, which are what most automobiles have, there is no way to get to the other side of the damaged area to be able to push out to straighten a bent section, so pulling is required. The towers of the frame machine accomplish this by acting from outside the zone of the damage and pulling away from the area with increasing torque until the section is completely straightened. Obviously, the more towers the body frame machine has, the more accurately it can restore the frame’s shape to its original condition.

Frame machines anchor your vehicle’s frame into a static position so that repairs can be made.  Your vehicle will be placed on the platform of the frame machine in a flat area referred to as “the bed”, where the vehicle is bolted down.  Chains are attached to pull the frame, and hydraulic rams extend and contract to adjust the tension. 

The more modern and sophisticated machines will include computerized measurement equipment, so more accurate adjustments can be made.  The measurement system will provide height, width, and length measurements.

The Importance Of Proper Repairs

Working with Layton Carcare ensures that your vehicle is repaired properly and ready to drive safely on the road. Unibody repairs can provide some cosmetic upgrades, but they are critical to the safe operation of your vehicle. Even the smallest misalignment can affect how your car drives, leading to improper tire wear, difficulty driving, and other vehicle problems on the road. Having a straight frame will not only help your vehicle operate without worry but also ensure that it lasts longer. 

Once an autobody shop has mapped out your damage, it will use the frame machine to hold the frame stationary and ensure even the smallest kinks are worked out. A quality autobody shop should use the highest quality standards to prevent further issues and misalignments.

Trucks And Van Frames

Trucks and large vans will have different frames and body configurations compared to smaller sedans. Most trucks on the road have frames, but some will have a unibody, which helps them haul heavy loads with ease. Trucks or vehicles that have a unibody may need higher-torque methods to fully restore them to their proper form.

Vans can often have a unibody design, meaning that they may need multiple towers to pull bent sections to their proper place. For certain van types, technicians may drop the subframe while working on the vehicle to prevent damage to the upper body of the vehicle.

More About Layton Carecare

When drivers experience an accident or just typical wear and tear on a vehicle, our autobody shop can help restore the vehicle to prime condition. Here at Layton Carcare, we take pride in the quality of our work and the technology we use. Locals have trusted our team for over 30 years, allowing our team to work on a variety of vehicle makes and models. When your vehicle experiences issues, it can throw off your entire week or daily tasks. Our team helps you navigate insurance claims, expensive repairs, and choose the best parts for your exact vehicle. Have pride and confidence in your vehicle again by working with Layton Carcare!

Frequently Asked Questions

• How long does a typical frame or unibody repair take?

  The duration of a repair depends entirely on the severity of the structural damage. Minor pulls and realignments might be completed in 2 to 3 days, while extensive structural damage requiring parts replacement can take a week or more. After our laser measuring system provides a 3D blueprint of the damage, we can give you a more accurate timeline for your specific vehicle.

• Will a frame repair affect my vehicle’s resale value or title status?

   While a major accident is often reported to vehicle history databases (like CARFAX), having a documented, professional repair can actually protect your resale value compared to leaving damage unaddressed. Because Layton Carcare provides a detailed printout of your frame’s specifications both before and after the repair, you have certified proof that the vehicle has been restored to factory-grade safety standards.