Frame Machines

[Snuke87chevy]

Okay, so I've had a little fender bender a little more than a month ago.  I need to have the front of my frame pulled to the right hand side an inch or two.  The truck runs straight but the front axle sits to the left more than the right.  So I was wondering how a frame machine works and what kind of rate I should expect for this kind of work.

[shaved80]

it depends what kind of frame machine...there are quite a few different ones...but most of them are something like this..

the truck is pulled up onto the frame machine, lifted so the tires are off the ground, then clamps are clamped onto the rockers so it's all even. then something is used to measure the frame (centerline gauges are most common, but there are also lasers or computers) from that they can tell how/where it's off. then using hydraulic posts with chains, they clamp it to wherever they need to pull, then the post lifts up pulling the chain. when i went in for rates...i think it was something along the lines of $60-$80/hr, and they said it would be an hour to put it on then the rest depends on how bad the damage is

[mp76k10]

Im an insurance adjuster in VT and NH.  2 hours here is the set up time and usually they'll get 2 hours of pull time from you unless it's really bad.  We pay 50 per hour for an insurance claim, but most get 55 an hour for a retail rate.  (in case you were interested in the cost around here)

[87swb]

i've wrecked mine before and it hit on the right frame rail where the bumper bolts to, pushed the rail back and bent the very tip 90 degress. i took it to a frame shop and the frame man charged 500 dollars to pull that and to realign the front end, which i would think is cheap.the frame machine was a Chisolm GT, which is supposed to be one of the best and it used gauges instead of laser.and he told me it was worth 43,000. i know you wrecked yours and all but i still think that some of these trucks come from the factory a little bent, look on some of them and the right side of the bed sticks out more than the left side, or the bumper lines up different on some of them. but anyway that's my story. i think yours will be fine.

[Snuke87chevy]

Well I know it won't, or at least shouldn't, take a whole lot to striaghten it out. I got hit in the front right corner and now my front axle sits maybe half an inch too far to the left. It was worse until I had the rear hangars and axle u-bolts replaced (they were both twisted).  

[Lt.Del]

You might be a redneck if....
You use a tractor, a tree, a chain, and come-along as a frame machine.  When you are a teenager, and have few dollars, it had to do (and did).  Boy, the things we did when we were young.




SgtDel
www.delbridge.net

George Mason Final Four!!!!  Yeah, baaay beee.

GMU '90

[87swb]

i thought about doin something like that when i wrecked mine. but hey if it works it works.

[Lt.Del]

Oh, she worked fine.  A few new old parts put on it and a paint job and she looked good.







SgtDel

GEORGE MASON - FINAL 4 !!!!

Edited by: SgtDel at: 3/27/06 8:04 pm

[Z28 c10]

So much for U Conn I guess Andy. Good call.

[Lt.Del]

Those boys from Mason, what else can you say?  I just wish they were that hot when I was going there in the late 80's.  If we can beat UConn, well, look out--nothing stopping us now.

SgtDel

GMU FINAL FOUR!!!!