If you drive a modern vehicle, there’s a good chance that you’re driving on a unibody frame, but what is a unibody frame, exactly? A unibody frame has the chassis and the body of the car joined together. Most newer sedans and SUVs use a unibody frame design to reduce their height and weight, making them more fuel efficient and safer in the event of a crash. While this newer frame design has many benefits, the cost to repair a unibody frame is typically higher since damage to one part of the frame means there’s damage to the whole frame. Learn more about the cost of unibody frame repair and unibody damage below, or read about how much it costs to repair a car door.
Unibody Frames
Unibody frames have been around since the 1930s, but most older-model vehicles have body-on-frame designs. It was only in the last couple decades that unibody frames became easier to mass produce and began to appear in modern vehicles. A unibody frame is a frame that has the chassis and body of a vehicle joined together as one unit. This one-unit body — or unibody — design reduced the height and weight of a vehicle, making it more fuel efficient but also safer in the event of an accident. Since unibody frames are designed with “crumple zones” to absorb damage, the driver and passengers are less likely to be injured while in their seats. While unibody frames are popular in the auto industry, their single-unit design can make them more difficult to repair.
How Does Collision Damage Affect a Unibody Frame?
While unibody damage is meant to keep occupants safe, the cost can be higher due to its single unit design. Unlike on-body-frames, damage to a unibody frame means there is damage to the entire frame. During a collision a vehicle’s frame can bend, twist, crumple, or even break. When this happens, the structural integrity of the vehicle becomes compromised. If the frame on your vehicle is damaged, it’s unable to absorb an impact like it could before, meaning you and your passengers are at greater risk of injury. Additionally, a damaged frame may prevent the vehicle from driving straight on South Bay roads, which can put a tremendous strain on the other systems on your vehicle. For these reasons, it is strongly advised that you do not drive a vehicle with a damaged frame. Instead it is safer to bring your vehicle in for repairs and arrange to use a rental.
How Much Does it Cost to Repair a Unibody Frame?
Like most repair costs, the cost of unibody frame repair can vary depending on the type of vehicle you drive and the extent of the damage. Factors such as where the damage on your frame is, the material your unibody frame is made from, and the labor involved in repairing the frame can cause the price range to vary extensively. If your vehicle has minor damage to the frame, it can cost between $600 and $1,000. However, if your vehicle experienced extensive damage to its frame in an accident in Beverly Hills, the price could exceed $10,000.
Due to the expensive repair costs associated with unibody damage repair, it’s important to estimate your collision repair costs and weigh it against the value of your vehicle. If the cost to repair your vehicle is more than it’s worth, then purchasing a new vehicle may be a better alternative for your finances.
Get Unibody Damage Repair at Eli’s
The frame on your vehicle is your first line of defence during an accident. For this reason, it is imperative that you have the frame repaired by certified professionals. The team at Eli’s Collision Repair has over 40 year of experience in repairing vehicles in accordance with federal and manufacturer standards. Additionally, our team has the highest certifications available for collision repair shops. These certifications include iCard gold class certification, ASE certification, and manufacturer certifications from major industry car brands. Get a free estimate online today with our team or contact us to bring your vehicle to one of our repair centers.