Frame Straightening and ADAS: What You Need to Know About Calibration

When a vehicle arrives at your collision repair shop after it’s been in an accident, you know frame straightening might be necessary to restore its structural integrity. But there's another critical step that many shops are still learning to navigate: ADAS calibration.

Even straightening frames on today's vehicles involves working with sophisticated networks of sensors, cameras, and radar systems that keep drivers safe. And when those structural components move, even slightly, it affects how these advanced safety systems function.

Understanding the relationship between frame straightening and ADAS calibration helps ensure every vehicle that leaves your shop is as safe as it was when it rolled off the production line.

Why frame straightening requires ADAS calibrations 

Advanced Driver Assistance Systems rely on precise positioning to function correctly. A sensor that is out of alignment by a fraction of an inch or even one degree will be aimed at an area significantly off-axis when looking 50+ feet down the road.

When structural damage occurs, the positioning of ADAS sensors can be compromised in several ways:

• Sensor mount points: Many ADAS components are mounted directly to structural elements of the vehicle. When the frame is damaged and requires straightening, these mount points can shift the component’s position.
• Camera angles: Forward-facing cameras mounted near the windshield area depend on the precise relationship between the A-pillars and roof structure. Frame damage in these areas can alter camera angles even if the camera itself wasn't directly impacted.
• Radar positioning: Forward radar sensors located at the front of the vehicle are crucial for adaptive cruise control and forward collision warning systems and require calibration after modifications to the front bumper or after a collision repair.
• Steering angle sensors: Calibration of the steering angle sensor may be required after structural repairs, as frame straightening can affect the relationship between the steering system and the vehicle's centerline.

Common ADAS components impacted by structural repairs 

Understanding which systems are likely to need calibration after frame straightening helps you plan repairs more effectively and provide accurate estimates to customers.

• Forward-facing cameras: These are typically mounted near the windshield and are essential for automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and forward collision warning systems. Even minor shifts in A-pillar or roof structure positioning can affect their operation.
• Radar sensors: Both front and rear radar units can be affected by structural repairs. Front radar sensors are often mounted in the bumper area or behind the front grille, while rear sensors support blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert systems.
• Ultrasonic sensors: These sensors, used for parking assistance and proximity detection, are often integrated into bumper structures that may need realignment after frame straightening.
• Steering angle sensors: While not mounted to the frame directly, these sensors must be recalibrated when structural repairs affect the vehicle's thrust line or steering geometry.

When calibration is required 

Post-collision repairs, especially those involving structural components, should always include ADAS calibration to verify that detection and warning systems operate correctly.

Specific scenarios that require calibration after frame straightening include:

• Any structural repair that affects sensor mounting points.
• Repairs involving A-pillars, B-pillars, or roof structure where cameras are mounted.
• Front-end structural work affecting radar sensor positioning.
• Repairs that change the vehicle's wheelbase or track width.
• Any time the frame bench process requires moving or adjusting sensor components.

Why you shouldn’t wait for diagnostic codes to account for ADAS

ADAS sensors don't all have self-diagnostic capabilities to tell the driver when they are out of calibration. Many misaligned sensors will appear to function normally in basic diagnostic scans—meaning no DTCs— yet won't perform correctly when needed.

As a result, you need to perform proactive assessments to determine what calibrations may be needed so you can complete them according to OEM processes. Revv can help with this, telling you upfront what calibrations will likely be needed based on the repairs you’re completing and VIN-specific requirements. We’ll also provide OEM documentation, so you can ensure that the calibrations are completed correctly. 

Incorporating ADAS calibrations into your frame straightening workflow 

Integrating ADAS considerations into your frame straightening process helps ensure nothing gets overlooked:

• Pre-repair scanning: Before beginning any structural work, perform a comprehensive pre-repair scan to determine which ADAS systems are present and their current operational status.
• Documentation during repair: Take photos and measurements of sensor positions before moving or removing any components. This documentation helps ensure proper reassembly and provides reference points for calibration.
• Post-repair verification: After frame straightening is complete and all components are reassembled, conduct another scan to identify any systems that require calibration.
• Calibration procedures: Follow manufacturer-specific procedures for each affected system. Some may require static calibration in your shop, while others need dynamic calibration through test drives.
• Final validation: Complete a final scan to verify all systems are functioning correctly before delivery.

Getting started with ADAS calibrations 

If you're not currently integrating ADAS calibration into your frame straightening workflow, start by:

1. Assessing your current process: Review recent frame straightening jobs to identify cases where calibration should have been performed.
2. Training your team: Ensure technicians understand which repairs trigger calibration requirements with initial and ongoing training. 
3. Establishing procedures: Develop workflows that include ADAS considerations from estimate to delivery.
4. Building partnerships: If you can't perform calibrations in-house initially, establish relationships with qualified providers. 

The relationship between frame straightening and ADAS calibration will only become more important as newer vehicles with more sophisticated safety systems enter your shop. For shops looking to understand how to communicate these services to customers, check out our guide on marketing and selling ADAS calibration services.

Ensure complete repairs and ADAS calibrations with Revv

Today's collision repairs require more than just restoring structural integrity. You want to be sure every vehicle leaving your shop has every safety system functioning as designed. When you're straightening frames on modern vehicles, ADAS calibration is  an essential part of returning the vehicle to pre-accident condition.

Revv helps collision shops navigate this complexity by providing instant access to VIN-specific calibration requirements for every vehicle. Our platform identifies which ADAS systems need calibration based on the specific repairs being performed, ensuring nothing gets missed in the repair process.

Rather than trying to track calibration requirements across multiple manufacturer sources, Revv provides comprehensive documentation that integrates seamlessly with your existing workflow, helping you deliver complete, safe repairs every time.

Book a demo today to see how Revv can help your shop integrate ADAS calibration into your frame straightening process while ensuring complete compliance with manufacturer requirements.

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