Auto body repair can be a costly affair. Whether it is a minor fender bender or major repair work after an accident, you need to ensure that you get the best possible service there is out there. In case of an accident, you need to know the steps to take. To find a good auto body repair shop, you can ask your insurance company. They deal with car accidents and damages every day and most know all the best shops around. You can also contact your dealership but this will not work in case you are dealing with an accident. Finding a good and reputable auto body repair shop is the first step in ensuring that you get the best auto repair services. It will also save you money in the long run.
Common Repair Issues
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Poor Alignment
If the car is pulling to a single direction after repair, this is indicative of a misaligned unibody structure or a bent frame. After a crash, some vehicles will be rightfully straightened while others will not. Those that can’t will have their tires wearing out quickly and will not drive straight. This also leads to the vehicle handling poorly and aligning the vehicle may not get the problem fixed.
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Airbag Replacement
You should always ensure that your airbags were replaced after an accident because they shield us against excessive injury during an accident. Check whether the airbag light is on. If your steering wheel sounds hollow when you knock on it lightly, there is a problem. You should have both instances checked out immediately.
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Car Clipping
This is a big no-no and involves an entire used section of another vehicle being welded onto your vehicle. This results in structural weakness of the vehicle because of different tensile strengths in the materials used in making different vehicles. In the event of a subsequent accident, the crash could prove fatal.
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Used and Aftermarket Parts
These may not meet the original specifications from the manufacturer. If you do have a subsequent accident, a used or inferior part can make a huge difference in whether you survive the crash or not.
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Torque
To avoid loose assembly that negatively affects vehicle handling and performance, the replacement of suspension parts should be torqued to specifications from the manufacturer.
Inspect the Vehicle
Once your auto body repairs have been completed, what should you look for? For starters, check the area that was repaired both from a distance and up-close. This will give you an idea of whether the job was well done or not. You also need to examine if the paintwork is up to scratch. Check on the color match, overspray and the texture. You can also take a test drive to ensure that all mechanical repairs were done. Your car should also be clean. A good auto repair shop will clean your car for you. This also makes it easy to inspect. If you are not satisfied with the work done, you should mention this immediately so that any pending issues can be addressed.
Additionally, everything should have been done according to the understanding you had before. Everything that was supposed to be fixed should be in working order. A good repair shop will take you through everything that was done. There should also be a warranty on the repair work done.
Written by Marc Laferierre, owner of Dents Unlimited. Dents Unlimited offers the best auto body repair Columbia MO has to offer.
