I believe my frame has been bent inwards.

I bought a '71 Malibu a few weeks ago. Upon examination at first (before I bought the car) I noticed how the right side rim sits cockeyed. I submitted a few pics here and a few memebers said it appeared to be a bent upper right side control arm and perhaps some tie rod problems.

So for $2500 I figured it was well worth it, even if it did need suspension work.

Now yesterday while messing around under the car I discovered the frame near the right front rim is cracked. :eek:

I had a Chevelle guy I know come by today to see my car. He says it's the frame...it's bent inwards. :confused:

So now I'm wondering how much this will cost?

Don't get all upset without a REAL estimate. Go by a body shop with a frame rack and ask. It will be at LEAST three to four hours labor for such a thing. Around here that would be about $250.00.

You want someone who knows what they are doing and doesn't just weld it up with the frame twisted or something. It is common on frames such as these to crack from fatigue on the top or bottom of the cross member at the suspension. There is an incredible amount of leverage created when the wheel goes up, pulling out on the lower control arm mounts and pushing in on the upper, an incredible amount. So, if your frame is cracked there, it means the rail is likely twisted in at the top and/or out at the bottom. This MUST be corrected before it is welded.

Then, before you do anything else be sure the front suspension aligns! If this remains bent you may not be able to get the proper caster/camber. So be sure it is all correct before going on spending more money and time on the car, this is your foundation after all.

Of course, you have to have someone who KNOWS what they are doing and KNOWS the difference between bent suspension componants like the control arms and spindle and a bent frame. After the frame is repaired and you have an alignment done, the tech who does the alignment can tell (if he knows what he is doing) with the results of the alignment what is bent. Sometimes your componants can be bent and it is VERY, VERY hard to see or measure, where the alignment results WILL tell you what is bent.

Wow.....I was under the impression it would be a timely and a costly thing.

I recall a friend of mine who rearend someone with his '72 Cutlass. I never saw the damage but from what he told me it scrunched the whole front end up. I think he said he paid $1k to have his frame restraghtened.

But then again it also looks as if the upper control arm and maybe even the spindle are bent. I noticed the top castle nut for the spindle and the threaded bolt for the tie rod almost touch. :eek: