When it comes to car body repair, not many vehicle owners understand the importance of the chassis system. However, this car frame is essential, and it is often among the first components to check after a collision, even a low-impact one. Chassis come in different designs, depending on the type of vehicle you have. Below is an explanation of what the chassis is and the differences between each type.
What Is a Car Chassis?
Car body repair professionals refer to the chassis as the basic framework of any vehicle. Its primary function is to bear a multitude of static and dynamic loads without causing your automobile to collapse or distort. Static loads pertain to the weight of components, passengers, and luggage, while dynamic loads involve forces and stresses from moving the vehicle. It has to be sturdy enough to withstand the impact of bumpy roads, repeated braking and accelerating, taking turns, high winds, and collisions. Moreover, it needs to be structurally sound to handle the weight of the attached systems, including the wheels, engine, brakes, and transmission.
Another purpose of the chassis is to provide the necessary rigidity in the car’s form. It is crucial for protecting the driver and passengers during a collision as it prevents the vehicle from crumpling or deforming on sudden impact.
What Are the Main Types of Chassis?
Body-on-Frame
The body-on-frame type is also known as the conventional chassis and is often found in heavy-duty vehicles like pick-up trucks and larger cars. It derived its name for having the auto body placed on the frame, allowing each component to function separately. The structure enables the vehicle to have a higher load-bearing capacity, but at the expense of reduced handling and maneuverability. Moreover, car body repairs are easier on this chassis type because of disassembly.
Unibody or Monocoque
Sometimes called unitized body chassis, this type includes the auto body as an integral part of the frame. Most of today’s vehicles have a unibody chassis because it can make the automobile lightweight and safer, due to the lower center of gravity. Cars become more stable, easier to handle, and have better fuel efficiency. A disadvantage of unibody chassis is in the higher cost of car body repairs.
For top-notch fixes on your vehicle chassis, turn to the car body repair experts at Consolidated Bodyshop in Crossville, TN. They offer an extensive range of auto repair services, including car painting, ceramic coating, paintless dent removal, and collision repair, to restore your vehicle’s former glory. Call (931) 456-4090 for a quote on auto body repair or visit the website today.