Measure frame for squareness
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Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 7,194
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From: Near Los Angeles
Measure frame for squareness
Hey guys. My truck got hit while parked. It moved the truck 6-8 feet. Since the force of the impact was at the left taillight, I'd like to measure the frame to make sure it is still reasonably square.
Does anyone know how to do that? Thanks.
Does anyone know how to do that? Thanks.
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,238
Likes: 475
park on a hard flat surface. Pick 4 spots. 2 on each side, one up by the front frame horns and one back by the bumper mount, that look to be the same. Usually there will be a hole or rivet on both side in the same spot. Drop plumb bobs and mark where they hit the ground, I'll put tape down and mark it with a fine marker, then measure an "X" between those spots. Both legs of the "X" should be the same, within say 1/4". You can also do 6 points, with 2 in the middle and do the full length, then do the front and rear halves to see if it's just the rear rails that got tweaked. Also measure from the bottom of the rails down to the ground in similar spots to see if it got tweaked up or down.
Might be worth looking up a frame repair shop and seeing what they'd charge to measure it.
Was it a hit and run?
Might be worth looking up a frame repair shop and seeing what they'd charge to measure it.
Was it a hit and run?
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 10,852
Likes: 2,619
From: The Shenandoah Valley
Oh no!
Measure both lines of a really big "X" using points on the two frame rails that are the same. I'd put the truck on level surface, like concrete. Drop a plumb bob from the 4 points, mark point on tape on the concrete. Measure the "X". If still square, they'll agree.
Another way, is remember a right triangle is 3 4 5 or multiples (like say 6 8 10 or 15 20 25, etc) of the numbers in mm, cm, feet, inches, miles, etc. The 3 and 4 sides are adjacent to 90 degree angle corner, the 5 is the side opposite the 90 degree angle. You can use this information to check that straight lines across from one side to the other same points are 90 degrees to the frame rails.
You can use a framing square too. Use straight portion of the lowest surface of the rear bumper marked with a sharpie and yard stick.
Look at bed bolts that go through bed floor and frame from below as you look upwards, if racked you'll see evidence in wrinkled bed floor, uncovered fresh areas of contact. Since the truck was new, the bed was bolted securely to the frame. If "racked" or shifted, you'll see it there.
I can think of other methods.
Measure both lines of a really big "X" using points on the two frame rails that are the same. I'd put the truck on level surface, like concrete. Drop a plumb bob from the 4 points, mark point on tape on the concrete. Measure the "X". If still square, they'll agree.
Another way, is remember a right triangle is 3 4 5 or multiples (like say 6 8 10 or 15 20 25, etc) of the numbers in mm, cm, feet, inches, miles, etc. The 3 and 4 sides are adjacent to 90 degree angle corner, the 5 is the side opposite the 90 degree angle. You can use this information to check that straight lines across from one side to the other same points are 90 degrees to the frame rails.
All triangles have 3 sides that intersect, the sum of the internal angles is always 180 degrees. A right triangle has one 90 degree inside angle, the other two angles will ad up to another 90 degrees for a total of 180 degrees.
Look at bed bolts that go through bed floor and frame from below as you look upwards, if racked you'll see evidence in wrinkled bed floor, uncovered fresh areas of contact. Since the truck was new, the bed was bolted securely to the frame. If "racked" or shifted, you'll see it there.
I can think of other methods.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 992
Likes: 114
From: Dallas, OR
Oof, that really sucks. Sorry to hear that. X2 of have a body shop look at it. My Focus got totaled when it was rear-ended. The estimator was able to tell the frame was bent before he even went under the car.It had a very small crease on the top of the car and he pointed to it and said your frame is bent right there. I was amazed when he was right. They do this often enough, their eyeball is more accurate than we could ever hope to do with a measure.
The other thing is to get the frame checked to make sure it didn't twist. All that energy goes in weird directions. Sometimes straight forward, sometimes up or down too.
The other thing is to get the frame checked to make sure it didn't twist. All that energy goes in weird directions. Sometimes straight forward, sometimes up or down too.
Tuned
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 475
Likes: 34
From: Vermont
Checking to see if "out of square" or being slightly "diamonded " can be accomplished as others have stated. Just be aware that measuring for a up or down problem in the frame you will need to SUPPORT the frame off the flat floor surface, with EXACTLY the same jack stands/blocking/whatever.... on the front 2 (lft &rt.). Then the exact same height of the lft & rt REAR supports. Front pair and rear pair do not have to be the same height.The reason for this is soft tire ?,weak spring? etc, on one side or the other. By supporting the frame in the air you eliminate faulty measures.
And yes,a quick visual will usually tell me if a frame or unibody has extensive damage,Of course a truck frame needs a REAL hard hit to start showing visual damage to itself or body tweaking or shifting.
In your case I would instantly walk to the opposite right side of the hit and check the gap between the front box and cab. If closer,tighter then a CHANCE the frame is diamonded, Be aware that these gaps can be off before accidents at times we just never noticed, Good luck!
And yes,a quick visual will usually tell me if a frame or unibody has extensive damage,Of course a truck frame needs a REAL hard hit to start showing visual damage to itself or body tweaking or shifting.
In your case I would instantly walk to the opposite right side of the hit and check the gap between the front box and cab. If closer,tighter then a CHANCE the frame is diamonded, Be aware that these gaps can be off before accidents at times we just never noticed, Good luck!
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