"Dinsdale" > wrote in message
...
> The unibody is the main structure of the car...less the front fenders,
> hood, doors, decklid (basically the stuff that's bolted on).
> The suspension is bolted to the unibody....if the unibody is bent, those
> mounting points have moved in relation to each other and alignment may be
> impossible.
>
> Now, why the alignment shops say that subframe connectors are the reason
> an alignment can't be done is beyond me because they shouldn't be in the
> way. The alignment shops should have found if some parts (the lower
> control arms...tie-rods...etc) were bent.
>
> As others have said in this thread...the body shop needs to confirm if
> the unibody is straight. (if it's a collision repair shop it should have
> a frame jig to check it) If they don't check it, they may be giving you
> an unsafe car.
>
> If they say the unibody is straight...tell them to check the k-member
> (even though it should be part of the unibody checking)...the front
> suspension/steering/brakes are bolted to this and it's bolted to the
> unibody.
>
> Here's a pic of an aftermarket k-member...it's the blue thing.
> http://mustanglife.tenmagazines.com/...aine/77928.jpg

Thanks for the info Dinsdale, it's definitely appreciated. The unibody on
the car is straight. All of the damage I had as cosmetic and I only bumped
the guard rail at around 15 - 20MPH. I had the car taken to a Ford dealer
and aligned.

--
Paul