Frame Straightening - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

98GMCSierraGuy · 07-07-2012, 06:43 AM

I have a '98 GMC and the frame on the front end is bent outward an inch. I could take it to a frame shop, but the wanted $525, 2 years ago. So is there any ideas or places that do it for cheap, I know it has to be at precision specifications, so is the frame shop my best bet?

dragginmetal · 07-08-2012, 08:35 AM

$525 is not that bad of a price. Around here its $500 for set up and $60hr, with a four hr min.

98GMCSierraGuy · 07-08-2012, 01:13 PM

Wow, I don't know I guess its good it just seems like a lot because its money I don't have

BigBlocksRule · 07-09-2012, 07:48 AM

Did a bit of frame straightening on a farm truck.
Found two good size telephone poles that were close together. That was the hard part.
Then we chained the frame to one pole at the spots we wanted to make sure didn't move. Used a chain ratchet on the other part of the frame and winched 'er down. It was initially about 2" out of alignment, we got it to less than 1/4". You'll probably find you need to over correct a bit and allow for spring back. Again, this was a FARM TRUCK. I never got a chance to drive behind it to see how straight it drove, but we didn't have bad tire wear problems with it IIRC. On the other hand, all the Ford trucks we used on the farm drove down the road like a dog walks, front and rear nowhere close to tracking, so I don't know that it would have mattered.

The one place you're not going to straighten is the "S" curve right under the firewall. That's a weak-by-design place, the frame SHOULD bend there to absorb impact and protect you. If you're bent there or can't straighten it out, you can always cut the front clip off and weld on a different one. The factory weld is right under your feet, not that hard of a project if you have a torch, grinder, couple of come-alongs and a professional welder. I've paid $150 twice to have this weld done by a pro, looks better than factory. If I'd welded it....well, let's not go there.

98GMCSierraGuy · 07-09-2012, 08:07 AM

Haha thanks man yeah we had tried to chain ratchet it with to metal blocks in each side and it it didn't work I'll check that s-curve I never thought to check it

07-07-2012, 06:43 AM	#1
98GMCSierraGuy Registered User Join Date: May 2012 Location: Charleston, South Carolina Posts: 266	Frame Straightening I have a '98 GMC and the frame on the front end is bent outward an inch. I could take it to a frame shop, but the wanted $525, 2 years ago. So is there any ideas or places that do it for cheap, I know it has to be at precision specifications, so is the frame shop my best bet?

07-08-2012, 08:35 AM	#2
dragginmetal here, just not logged in Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Tx Posts: 1,011	Re: Frame Straightening $525 is not that bad of a price. Around here its $500 for set up and $60hr, with a four hr min. __________________ Mike 88 GMC "GOT BORED" several truck pics a few '88-'98 pics more pics

07-08-2012, 01:13 PM	#3
98GMCSierraGuy Registered User Join Date: May 2012 Location: Charleston, South Carolina Posts: 266	Re: Frame Straightening Wow, I don't know I guess its good it just seems like a lot because its money I don't have

07-09-2012, 07:48 AM	#4
BigBlocksRule Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Lubbock, TX Posts: 2,047	Re: Frame Straightening Did a bit of frame straightening on a farm truck. Found two good size telephone poles that were close together. That was the hard part. Then we chained the frame to one pole at the spots we wanted to make sure didn't move. Used a chain ratchet on the other part of the frame and winched 'er down. It was initially about 2" out of alignment, we got it to less than 1/4". You'll probably find you need to over correct a bit and allow for spring back. Again, this was a FARM TRUCK. I never got a chance to drive behind it to see how straight it drove, but we didn't have bad tire wear problems with it IIRC. On the other hand, all the Ford trucks we used on the farm drove down the road like a dog walks, front and rear nowhere close to tracking, so I don't know that it would have mattered. The one place you're not going to straighten is the "S" curve right under the firewall. That's a weak-by-design place, the frame SHOULD bend there to absorb impact and protect you. If you're bent there or can't straighten it out, you can always cut the front clip off and weld on a different one. The factory weld is right under your feet, not that hard of a project if you have a torch, grinder, couple of come-alongs and a professional welder. I've paid $150 twice to have this weld done by a pro, looks better than factory. If I'd welded it....well, let's not go there.

07-09-2012, 08:07 AM	#5
98GMCSierraGuy Registered User Join Date: May 2012 Location: Charleston, South Carolina Posts: 266	Re: Frame Straightening Haha thanks man yeah we had tried to chain ratchet it with to metal blocks in each side and it it didn't work I'll check that s-curve I never thought to check it



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