Straightening Operations

 CAUTION: If heat is needed to straighten a frame member, keep the temperature below 649°C (1200°F) (a dull red glow). Excessive heat may weaken the metal and cause permanent damage.

Misalignment can be corrected by straightening the out-of-line parts or by replacing the crossmembers, braces, or brackets if they are badly damaged.

Straightening should be attempted on frames that fail to meet specification of the diagonal checking method, or where damage is visually apparent.

However, to prevent internal stresses in the metal, straightening should be limited to parts that are not severely bent.