Frame Damage While Being Towed - Need Advice and Input

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I had a similar problem with a AAA tow truck. A few years back I had just bought a Magnum R/T. On the way home from the dealer the trans crapped out. Called AAA for a tow. They sent out a truck and because of prior problems with tows I told him that I wanted the car strapped down by the tires/wheels. I was in a rental car behind him. I went back to the renatl and while I was walking back to the car he had just grabbed the front lower control arms with his hooks and took off. We were about 80 miles from home at night when this happened. I couldn't catch up with him as it turns out he went a different way than I did. My wife was in the tow truck and I was in the renatl. Well when I got home the car was in the driveway and he was gone. The next morning I went out and started the car to see if it would move after sitting all night. It did, I backed up and it sounded like the suspension fell out. I had it towed to the local Dodge dealer and got iot up on the rack. Both lowers were bent, the sway bar brackets were bent and the sway bar was hinging loose. I called the tow company and asked for the boss and was told he was out of the office. 6 calls and the next day, found out that the driver that towed my car Was the owner and denied fault. I told him that I was going to call AAA and that I was sure that he was paid very well under his contract with AAA and it would be in his best interest to repair my car. I am a 42 year member with AAA and told them my complaint. The owner of the tow company called me about 15 minutes later and apologized and said to just send him the bill which I had the dealer do. The right calls took care of the problems. Be the squeaky wheel and don't let them control the situation. You have the power.
 
Repair the original frame rails. They are not structurally compromised. No need to open a can of worms. 5K dollar check in hand. Find someone with good welding fab skills and they can make those rails good as new and you can keep some money in your pocket. No way in HELL would I replace frame rails over that.
 
Quick update, (damn it's been a while since I've been in here =/) got the frame rails repaired by a reputable race shop out here and also had them install my Hotchkis TVS system while they were under her skirt. They welded up my subframe connectors as well... Car handles and feels 100% better now!

20190130_172313.jpg


The front sway bar zerk fittings sit about 3.5" from the ground... Only a matter of time before they're gone...

All in all, I'm stoked to have this all behind me now! On to brakes, wheels and steering!
 
So are you saying that the tow job frame damage was a GOOD THING????
 
Quick update, (damn it's been a while since I've been in here =/) got the frame rails repaired by a reputable race shop out here and also had them install my Hotchkis TVS system while they were under her skirt. They welded up my subframe connectors as well... Car handles and feels 100% better now!

View attachment 1715285159

The front sway bar zerk fittings sit about 3.5" from the ground... Only a matter of time before they're gone...

All in all, I'm stoked to have this all behind me now! On to brakes, wheels and steering!

Is it me or is your valance falling off?
 
Looks like they did nice work! Did you have to sign off on it?
What ever happened to tow truck guy?

Yeah they did a top notch job! Yup, had it up on the lift when I got there to look at everything. Good stuff.

Not sure what happened to Mr Tow Truck Driver...
 
Pull the grease fittings and put plugs in. Less to smash off,and swap em out when they need greasing.if they break off dirt will get in.
 
Will take some next time I get it on the stands. I have a pesky transmission dipstick tube leak that I need to address... Will do it then.


Trick you might want to try. Clean the base of where the tube is fitted. Carb cleaner will help. Then take a little DOT 3 brake fluid and dribble it into the the hole where the tube is fitted. The brake fluid over time will cause the rubber O ring to swell. Sometimes it works,sometimes not.
 
Trick you might want to try. Clean the base of where the tube is fitted. Carb cleaner will help. Then take a little DOT 3 brake fluid and dribble it into the the hole where the tube is fitted. The brake fluid over time will cause the rubber O ring to swell. Sometimes it works,sometimes not.

Awesome thanks for the heads up!
 
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