Hitting a stationary object—especially a reinforced stone wall—is one of the most punishing types of impact a truck can endure. Unlike a collision with another vehicle, a stone wall doesn’t “give.”

We recently recovered an Iveco 08 that had a serious run-in with a wall corner. The force was concentrated and devastating, sending a shockwave through the entire vehicle that physically relocated heavy internal components.

The Damage: A Total System Shock

The impact wasn’t just cosmetic; it was a total structural failure. Our team identified three critical areas of concern:

• Twisted Chassis & Cab: The energy of the hit twisted the main frame rails and the cab mounts. When the cab and chassis are out of sync, the truck becomes a safety hazard and is virtually undriveable.

• Component Displacement: The force was so high it actually shoved the air box directly into the hydraulics tank. This created a complex mechanical mess of punctured lines and compromised filtration.

• Suspension Trauma: Hitting a corner at an angle puts immense lateral stress on the axles, throwing the geometry completely out of whack.

The Restoration Strategy

1. Cab and Chassis Realignment

This was a dual-alignment job. First, we had to straighten the backbone (the chassis) using our heavy-duty hydraulic jigs. Once the frame was true, we had to realign the cab itself. Getting the cab back to its original seating is vital for driver comfort, door operation, and—most importantly—crash safety.

2. Hydraulic and Air System Rebuild

Before we could even think about moving the truck, we had to untangle the air box and the hydraulics tank. This required replacing the damaged housings, flushing the hydraulic system to ensure no debris from the air box had entered the lines, and reseating all components to their factory positions.

3. Full Wheel Alignment

With the “body and soul” of the Iveco straightened out, we finished the job with a precision full wheel alignment. This ensures that after such a violent impact, the truck still tracks perfectly straight, preserving tyre life and fuel economy.

The Verdict

The Iveco 08 is a tough machine, but even the best trucks need expert intervention after a collision with a stone wall. By addressing the chassis, cab, and mechanical displacement simultaneously, we’ve returned this vehicle to the fleet in peak condition.

Driver Safety Warning: If a cab is even slightly twisted, the mounting points are compromised. In a second accident, the cab may not stay attached to the chassis. Never ignore a “crooked” cab.