2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Frame damage to 97

[Gifford]

I was rear ended pretty hard by a lady in a brand new Durango (she totaled it, I drove home) anyway, the shop that did the repairs to my truck told me that the frame wasnt bent. A few weeks ago I decided to finally fix the sending unit, and after jacking the bed up, lo and behold what did I find but 4-5 steel shims around the rear drivers side frame to bed bolt. (one bolt was missing too, I'm sure they lost it during the 4 WEEKS they had it) The shims added up to about a full inch, my question is, would DODGE have ever put those in at the factory? How much should I worry about the fact that the passenger-side frame was apparently pushed up 1" higher than the drivers side? Can that be fixed? Why would they try to cheat me like that? I guess it was a mistake using HER insurance's recomended shop, but they did say something about a lifetime warranty on their repairs... I think they're gonna regret it. .

 

[Pit Bull]

I would take it to a Dodge repair shop and ask them what they think? It does not sound right. Hope you have not settled, I think my whip lash would be giving me trouble about this time

 

[Un-Hemi]

Well, the sleazy ba$tard$!! I went through this same horse-hockey last July. The frame IS bent!



The box is held down to the frame with 8 bolts; four on each side. The four front bolts are on pedestals that are welded to the frame, and the four bolts at the rear thread into the box from below the top frame rail. All of these bolts SHOULD BE on the same horizontal plane! The Sleazebucket bodyshop up here (reputed to be one of the finest in the valley) also shimmed up the back right-hand corner of my box, instead of straightening the frame properly. After the fourth trip there I finally rented a rosebud for my torches and did the final tweaking myself. Mine still isn't perfect; I've got one slight adjustment to do. By the way, the service manual has frame diagrams in it that show all the proper dimensions.



What put me on to it was that the bumper wouldn't clear the plastic bezel that holds the licence plate and it wouldn't true up to the floor of the box. I had loose bolts also.



You might demand that the body shop send the truck out to a frame shop if they are incapable of doing this work. Also, have the frame checked for lateral damage; one rail may be forward of the other. My left frame rail was moved forward about 1/4", and, quite accidentally I'm sure, the shop monkey got it back within 1mm.



I know your disgust. It's disheartening. Body shops resent being called on their krap, but they shouldn't be allowed to get away with this level of incompetance. Good luck.



Yeah, it's a BIG headache and pain in the neck! I hope you haven't signed the release. Talk to your adjuster!



GRRRRRR!! GRRRRRR!! OK, I''ll calm down now.

 

[Kernel]

I have seen trucks that have come from the factory with shims, the Chevy I once had did in the front most body mounts. HOWEVER, I have never seen it as big as an INCH :--) . I definately would go back and start asking some questions, and get the paying insurance company involved. They maybe interested in finding out about work they paid for that wasn't done.



Get 'em boy...







Scott