Body and Frame: Testing and Inspection

Diagnosis on Accident Vehicles

Damage to the running gear and assembly mountings, which could have very serious effects later on is sometimes not discovered when accident vehicles are being repaired. Where the accident damage indicates over-stressing of the vehicle, special attention must be paid to the following components, completely independent of the axle geometry check which must be done in all cases:

• Check to ensure that the steering gear and linkage operate correctly over the complete lock-to lock range. Carry out a visual check for bent or cracked parts.

• Check the running gear and all running gear components such as wishbones/trailing arms, suspension struts, steering knuckles, anti-roll bars, sub-frames, axle beams and mountings for bending, twisting and fracturing.

• Examine wheels and tires for damage, true running and imbalance. Examine tires for cuts/slits etc. in treads and walls and check the pressures.

• Examine the engine/gearbox/exhaust system mountings for damage.

• Finally, a thorough road test after repairs will give the assurance that the vehicle is once again completely roadworthy and can be handed back to the customer without any doubts as to its mechanical state.