Does a dent in the crossmember affect the car?
2 Answers
Denting the crossmember does affect the car, and the severity of the impact mainly depends on the location of the collision. Below are the relevant details about the effects of collision on different car parts: 1. Chassis components: If parts like the exhaust pipe or catalytic converter are dented, only the exhaust system components are affected, which has minimal impact on the car. 2. Suspension components: For example, if the control arm is severely dented and deformed, the car's wheel alignment parameters could be significantly affected, potentially causing issues like the vehicle pulling to one side or severe friction noises. 3. Reinforcement components: If reinforcement components are dented, causing the coating to be scratched or even exposing the bare metal, failing to address it promptly could lead to severe rusting of the chassis.
As a veteran driver with over 10 years of experience, I've personally encountered a situation where the subframe got dented. That time in the parking lot, my car got scraped, and on the way home, I noticed the steering wheel felt slightly off. If left unrepaired for too long, it could damage the steering and suspension systems, making the car prone to skidding or wobbling during sharp turns, which affects high-speed stability. What worries me more is the reduced safety protection; in case of another collision, the impact absorption capability would be significantly diminished. I recommend taking it to a professional shop for inspection immediately—don't try to save money by fixing it yourself. The dented area may rust quickly, and over time, the repair costs could double. Always pay attention to road conditions to avoid potholes and impacts, and during regular maintenance, have the technician check the undercarriage.
