Exhaust shop bent the frame for adjustment?
 

Hi,

I went in a local exhaust shop to have my Magnaflow resonator installed. The garage did an unbelievable job. Cut a 2 inches hole in my Borla catback, cut bolts here in there, name it.

Today, I just noticed he bent the plate that is over the very last exhaust hanger, near the tips. How can I straighten it back? Is it part of the frame?

I'm just shocked now. From now on, me, myself and I are going to work on the car.

Re: Exhaust shop bent the frame for adjustment?
 

To bend a frame or any part of a frame is no easy task....the plate that you speak of may be attached to the frame, but IMO, I don't think it is an actual part of the frame. I may be wrong and I am sure others will reply shortly. And if your frame did get bent, your vehicle will not tract straight and your alignment will be off to say the least.
An easy check for you to put your mind at ease is go onto your street, get a bucket of water, pour across the underneath of your ZR-1 from side-to-side and then drive through the poured water so the front and rear tires get wet for about 20 feet or so.....get out and look at the tire pattern marks on the street, and if you have a bent frame, you will notice that the patterns are not tracking straight, if they are tracking straight, then I would say you don't have a problem and can concentrate on straightening out the said plate.
Also it is better to do this test on level ground if possible......

Re: Exhaust shop bent the frame for adjustment?
 

I don't think my alignment is off. The plate is pretty thin, so I'm pretty sure it doesn't affect anything. They used a flat screwdriver with a hammer. But I like to have everything perfect, so I want that plate straightened. Thanks for your answer but I don't think it is necessary to test my alignment!

Re: Exhaust shop bent the frame for adjustment?
 

No problem....then there is no need to worry about your frame being bent. I also imagine that the plate could be replaced if needed, or unbolted to be straightened out. Hope your exhaust worked out for you, I always stay with my vehicle whenever work is being performed, that way you can see what is going on, and prevent any unwanted mods that they may perform.

Re: Exhaust shop bent the frame for adjustment?
 

A-men!

There are some real Schit-fists masquerading as mechanics out there, and the place to find them is at chain store outfits, in my experience anyway.

Re: Exhaust shop bent the frame for adjustment?
 

They're all like that here. I live in a small town. That's why from now on, I'll do all my work myself.

What is the easiest way to remove that plate, or to straighten it?

Thanks guys!

Re: Exhaust shop bent the frame for adjustment?
 

If it's the rear most hanger it's actually I believe attached to the rear bumper impact bar and I wouldn't consider it a "frame component". The frame on a C4 is a uni-body type construction and it (the bumper impact bar) doesn't affect alignment of any suspension components. If the exhaust is aligned to your satisfaction "move on" and don't worry about it.

Check your post over at the CF for an explanation.

Re: Exhaust shop bent the frame for adjustment?
 

Thanks a lot, I'll be able to sleep tonight because of you!