Khrome
Junior Member
My DS 1500 Crew Cab which is about 3 months old, was in a tyre repair place getting a wheel alignment under warranty. It was out sourced from the dealer as they have no tyre equipment so all Rams and other vehicles go to this particular tyre fitter.
During the alignment, my Ram rolled backwards and down a slight slope in their yard and collided with a shipping container. After discussion with the owner of the store, it appears the bloke doing the wheel alignment, didn't have any chocks behind the wheels.
Anyway there's no issue with them taking responsibility for it and their insurance company has approved the initial quote from the crash repairer (who is ****** awesome). I have a loan car so that's no problem either.
However as a result of the collision, the tow bar minus the hitch, hit the container and has pushed it back, bending the chassis The jig or whatever it's called at the repairer, couldn't straighten it. He sent it to another repairer with a stronger machine and still unable to get out a slight bend in the last 30cm. The repairer said heating it would work but is not going to do that as it would weaken the steel.
From what research I've done Fiat Chrysler Australia say do not heat any chassis components. I've also heard from someone that any chassis damage to the rear end is considered a write off.
My dealer and repairer are now waiting to hear from Ram Trucks Australia as to what can and can't be done.
The repairer sent me an email today saying the other repairer has noticed on that chassis that it appears a section at the rear can be removed and replaced. That sounds like trouble to me.
I'm going to be towing a 3.5 tonne off road caravan so the rear end needs to be rock solid.
Anyone have any knowledge if damage to the chassis is repairable or a write off?
During the alignment, my Ram rolled backwards and down a slight slope in their yard and collided with a shipping container. After discussion with the owner of the store, it appears the bloke doing the wheel alignment, didn't have any chocks behind the wheels.
Anyway there's no issue with them taking responsibility for it and their insurance company has approved the initial quote from the crash repairer (who is ****** awesome). I have a loan car so that's no problem either.
However as a result of the collision, the tow bar minus the hitch, hit the container and has pushed it back, bending the chassis The jig or whatever it's called at the repairer, couldn't straighten it. He sent it to another repairer with a stronger machine and still unable to get out a slight bend in the last 30cm. The repairer said heating it would work but is not going to do that as it would weaken the steel.
From what research I've done Fiat Chrysler Australia say do not heat any chassis components. I've also heard from someone that any chassis damage to the rear end is considered a write off.
My dealer and repairer are now waiting to hear from Ram Trucks Australia as to what can and can't be done.
The repairer sent me an email today saying the other repairer has noticed on that chassis that it appears a section at the rear can be removed and replaced. That sounds like trouble to me.
I'm going to be towing a 3.5 tonne off road caravan so the rear end needs to be rock solid.
Anyone have any knowledge if damage to the chassis is repairable or a write off?
