Diary of a Bad Collision Repair
Bad collision repairs are allowed to take place, pure and simple. Greed and not caring allow them to take place. And I’ve seen my fair share.
Replacing a Hyundai Tucson Bumper Cover
This Tech Tip is based on a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) issued by Hyundai. TSBs describe known conditions or manufacturer-recommended changes in procedures and processes. This TSB provides information on changes in the Hyundai Tucson (LM) rear bumper cover and retainers (Figure 1). Changes include: • The size of the retainer slot holes in the rear
OPINION: Aftermarket Parts Are Here to Stay, So Deal With It!
I believe we can all agree on two things: OEM parts are superior to remanufactured and aftermarket parts, and insurance companies are going to continue to use remanufactured and aftermarket parts as long as they can reap significant cost savings. Knowing these two things, I choose not to expend my energy fighting big insurers head
Used Suspensions and Remanufactured Wheels
Dye checking and magnafluxing are essential procedures for ensuring the integrity of used suspension parts and remanufactured wheels. And you can charge for this testing, too.
TECH FEATURE: Repairing Advanced Metals
With more and more advanced metals being introduced in the structures of vehicles, it’s imperative that repairers understand their properties to ensure safe and quality repairs.
Repairing Ford Fusion Door Glass
Has this scenario ever occurred in your shop: You make relatively minor repairs to a vehicle and it appears as good as new. A few days later, the owner brings it back and says you missed something. In this example, the driver’s side door glass on a 2009 Ford Fusion is moving slowly and it’s
Fixing Loose GM Garnish Moldings
Often, it’s the small things that eat up time. For example, let’s say you repair a 2010 Buick that had been in a minor fender bender. When you’re done, the owner is happy and drives away. One week later, however, she returns to complain about a poor-fitting interior garnish molding. She’s sure your shop overlooked
The Functions of Fasteners
Self-piercing rivets, solid shank rivets, blind rivets, Dacromet bolts and so on. Understanding how these one-time fasteners work and what function they play are vital to producing a quality and safe repair.
Comparing Computerized Measuring Systems
Pilots flying in dense fog have to rely on their instruments to make safe landings. Can you do the equivalent of an instrument landing when repairing a vehicle? Only if you can determine the dimensional accuracy of a structural frame…by using a computerized measuring system
Fitting the Rear Bumper Cover on 2010 Ford Mustangs
Your technician is installing a brand-new OEM rear bumper cover on a 2010 Ford Mustang but is struggling to properly fit the cover to the quarter panel. He or she has spent several frustrating hours trying to make sure the fit is acceptable and will pass final inspection. Upon completion, you find that the new
Why You Should Replace Hand Sanding with Power Sanding
Power sanders are much faster than hand sanding, and fast is the name of the game in collision repair. So stop hand sanding and learn to love the “bomb.”
Sealing Volkswagen Golf Hood Seams
On a typical busy day in the shop, many vehicle replacement parts are needed. Too often, some of these parts may be superseded, updated, discontinued or modified by the manufacturer. Unless you have access to vital factory Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs), you may not be aware of the changes or updates concerning these parts. The
