Calling All Collision Specialists

tmcswain · May 4, 2009

OK some time ago I slid my truck off the road onto some rail road tracks. Hit pretty hard on driver side of my frontmost crossmember. Did major damage ended up having to get a completly new frame, driver side lower control arm, skid plates etc. The one thing they didnt replace that i thought they should have was my driver side torsion bar. Now i notice a difference from the left to right, I took it back to the collision center and they said that it was only 1/4" and that GM specifies that the ride height can vary. Are they giving me the go around or should I just be content that after major surgery like frame replacement the only problem I see is a little side to side height difference. Should I get a second opinion and call my insurance company?

Anybody?

Zembonez · May 5, 2009

OK some time ago I slid my truck off the road onto some rail road tracks. Hit pretty hard on driver side of my frontmost crossmember. Did major damage ended up having to get a completly new frame, driver side lower control arm, skid plates etc. The one thing they didnt replace that i thought they should have was my driver side torsion bar. Now i notice a difference from the left to right, I took it back to the collision center and they said that it was only 1/4" and that GM specifies that the ride height can vary. Are they giving me the go around or should I just be content that after major surgery like frame replacement the only problem I see is a little side to side height difference. Should I get a second opinion and call my insurance company?

Anybody?

I say NO.

1/4 inch is probably LESS than it was off from the factory. Get your trusty tape measure and hit the dealership. You'll be surprised to find that every one is slightly off in one direction or another. It's a characteristic of the architecture of any heavy body on frame vehicle. Spring rate differences of as little as 5% (well within tolerance) can alter the height of the truck slightly.

I'd say drive it and enjoy it. A torsion bar is very strong spring steel that has an incredible memory. I doubt seriously the accident damaged it. It is made to twist and distort millions of times and regain its original shape.

EDIT: One other thing. If it really bothers you that much... keep in mind that torsion bars are adjustable items. I don't think I'd start moving stuff for 1/4 inch but it is technically possible. Just remember that a tiny adjustment up or down on that corner is going to alter all three other corners. It can get tricky to balance it out.

tmcswain · May 5, 2009

OK some time ago I slid my truck off the road onto some rail road tracks. Hit pretty hard on driver side of my frontmost crossmember. Did major damage ended up having to get a completly new frame, driver side lower control arm, skid plates etc. The one thing they didnt replace that i thought they should have was my driver side torsion bar. Now i notice a difference from the left to right, I took it back to the collision center and they said that it was only 1/4" and that GM specifies that the ride height can vary. Are they giving me the go around or should I just be content that after major surgery like frame replacement the only problem I see is a little side to side height difference. Should I get a second opinion and call my insurance company?

Anybody?

I say NO.

1/4 inch is probably LESS than it was off from the factory. Get your trusty tape measure and hit the dealership. You'll be surprised to find that every one is slightly off in one direction or another. It's a characteristic of the architecture of any heavy body on frame vehicle. Spring rate differences of as little as 5% (well within tolerance) can alter the height of the truck slightly.

I'd say drive it and enjoy it. A torsion bar is very strong spring steel that has an incredible memory. I doubt seriously the accident damaged it. It is made to twist and distort millions of times and regain its original shape.

EDIT: One other thing. If it really bothers you that much... keep in mind that torsion bars are adjustable items. I don't think I'd start moving stuff for 1/4 inch but it is technically possible. Just remember that a tiny adjustment up or down on that corner is going to alter all three other corners. It can get tricky to balance it out.

ok thanks for the reassurance....its just one of those things, they did such a good job i would hate to be a stick in the mud