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Bent frame rail 1997 Chevy Lumina
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Maxinator05
Novice
Jun 3, 2013, 9:24 AM
Post #1 of 10
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Bent frame rail 1997 Chevy Lumina
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Hello,
Recently my passenger side rear tire blew out on my '97 Lumina LS. While replacing the tire, I inadvertently put the jack under the frame rail just in front of the tire, bending it quite noticeably.
The car (with donut - replacing with proper tire today) drives virtually identically to when it did prior to the bend happening. No major wobbling or anything like that. The tire doesn't appear to be off kilter by eye-balling it.
That being said of course I'm looking to get it fixed or replaced. Question is... how much might it cost to get the frame rail fixed or replaced? It's the standard C-shape style rail.
Thanks!
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jun 3, 2013, 10:10 AM
Post #2 of 10
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Re: Bent frame rail 1997 Chevy Lumina
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You don't have a frame rail. You have unibody construction. You must have jacked it on a body panel unless it's totally rusted out.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jun 3, 2013, 11:26 AM
Post #3 of 10
(3192 views)
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Re: Bent frame rail 1997 Chevy Lumina
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Maxinator05 : No chassis/frame as HT just said. IDK what the heck you bent so it has to be looked at. There are other strong spots that wouldn't sustain damage and I wont suggest that you any of that if you messed up the car's jack and placement already.
The instructions of where and how to jack and place it are totally discussed with diagrams in owner's manual and frequently right at any covers to spare tire donut or not. Most frequently a notch indicating the strong spot with OE emergency jack.
Learn this without fail. If that area is rusted you need to have this car inspected for your own piece of mind that it's safe as rust really can take out even real frames or those strong spots on unibody vehicles,
T
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Maxinator05
Novice
Jun 3, 2013, 12:50 PM
Post #5 of 10
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Re: Bent frame rail 1997 Chevy Lumina
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Ok I think I got it, here's a photobucket link -
http://s1292.photobucket.com/user/maxinator05/media/Luminajpg_zpsf2816d78.jpg.html?sort=3&o=0
Thanks!
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jun 3, 2013, 1:03 PM
Post #6 of 10
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Re: Bent frame rail 1997 Chevy Lumina
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OK - That's a strut to hold the rear "axle" in place. I'LL TRY TO MAKE THE PICTURE SHOW DIRECTLY BELOW?
THAT HAS TO BE REPLACED AT ONCE! IT MAY ''FEEL'' OK NOW BUT IT HAS BEEN SEVERELY WEAKENED AND I DON'T EVEN SUGGEST GETTING THAT STRAIGHTENED BUT RATHER REPLACED.
At a minimum your alignment is off now and will need to be done AFTER the replacement is in.
By default I have to say this car should not be driven with that as even a good pic I can't say if it will break and cause loss of control of the car,
T
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jun 3, 2013, 1:09 PM
Post #7 of 10
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Re: Bent frame rail 1997 Chevy Lumina
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That's going to burn the tires right off and the car is probably "dog tracking" also.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Jun 3, 2013, 1:10 PM
Post #8 of 10
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Re: Bent frame rail 1997 Chevy Lumina
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Sorry for two posts in a row. See the nut to the right in that pic? The layers of of body metal with the notch is the spot/area for most unibody vehicles and don't want to discuss this too much as this is open web so folks read your instructions for your specific vehicle.
BTW - If pic means anything that is VERY clean for rust as a 1997 goes. I'm in MA and not much is that clean around here that gets used in the salted roads of Winter,
T
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Maxinator05
Novice
Jun 3, 2013, 1:34 PM
Post #9 of 10
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Re: Bent frame rail 1997 Chevy Lumina
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Thanks a ton for the info. This first place it will be going to is an auto shop for a strut replacement / alignment.
A couple positives for me, at least I know now with confidence where not to place a jack, and my car has relatively little rust for a '97 (car is in central TX).
Thanks again!
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Jun 3, 2013, 3:16 PM
Post #10 of 10
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Re: Bent frame rail 1997 Chevy Lumina
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Should be a fast fix. As HT said using it will chew tires up and I claim the safety is unknown. The cost IDK for one of those new or if a used one is even possible or practical.
Initially I was thinking you sunk a jack into body metal and that could cause nasty expensive damage.
Good luck with the fix. Wish cars didn't rust like that pic around where I am,
T
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