Category: Collision Repair

For those who are not overly familiar with automobiles and their various parts, the term “OEM” might be a little bit confusing. People often throw this term around without explaining its meaning, especially on repair invoices and estimates. And so, in order to alleviate that confusion, let’s go ahead and tell you everything you need to know about OEM parts.

What Does “OEM” Mean?

This is an acronym that stands for “Original Engine Manufacturing.” This basically just means that they are “original” parts. When you go with an OEM part, you know that it has been built for your vehicle by the same company that built your vehicle. In some cases, the making of OEM parts may be outsourced, but those parts have to meet the same standards as those produced by the auto manufacturer.

This label is mainly put upon auto parts to distinguish them from aftermarket parts, which are not going to be identical to the vehicle’s original parts. Unless you are using aftermarket parts for a specific reason, it is always recommended that you stick with the original parts.

Why People Choose OEM Parts

OEM parts are favored because they offer the best possible reliability factor. Any machine will function better when it has the correct parts and when everything stays in accordance with the original design. This doesn’t just apply to vehicles, but it is particularly important with regard to vehicles. If you are like most people, you trust your life to a vehicle every day, and so you need a very high degree of reliability.

Yes, you can often save money by going with cheap aftermarket parts. However, think about all of the ways in which that could impact your car’s performance and safety. For instance, let’s say you replace your rear quarter panels and/or your rear bumper with the cheapest thing you can find on the internet. These parts will likely be made from substandard materials and with shoddy workmanship. As such, they will not give you the same degree of protection in the event of an accident.

In the end, you are always taking a gamble when you buy an auto part. No matter how hard they might try, auto part manufacturers cannot prevent the occasional defect from happening. However, using an OEM part will do a lot to minimize that risk. When you go with one of these, your chances of getting a bad part are pretty low.

Do Most Repair Shops Use OEM Parts?

The answer to this question is not a simple one. If you go to a dealership for repairs, they will unquestionably use OEM parts for any repairs they do. However, smaller repair shops are more likely to use secondhand parts from dubious sources, which are probably not going to meet OEM specs. This brings us to an important point: OEM parts are not always necessarily good. They wear out just like any other kind of auto part, so make sure you find out whether or not your repair shop uses new OEM parts. Unfortunately, there are all too many shops that do not.

A Word About CAPA Certification

When you are going with an original part, the OEM standard is what you want. However, if you are using an aftermarket part, there is a different standard. You should always look for aftermarket parts that have been certified by the Certified Automotive Parts Association (CAPA).

CAPA subjects aftermarket parts to a variety of rigorous tests in order to verify that they are equal to the standards of the original part. In some cases, aftermarket parts actually turn out to be better in terms of overall quality. Either way, an aftermarket part that hasn’t been verified by this organization should not be trusted.

A Word About Returns

Another little benefit to the use of OEM parts is the fact that they will probably be easier to return. If you should need to return an OEM part (either because it’s defective, the wrong part, etc.), you already know that there will be no problem. Any manufacturer that is OEM certified will be required to guarantee their work. And so, as long as you have a receipt, you should have no issues.

On the other hand, you never really know how the return process is going to go with an aftermarket manufacturer. They may not take returns at all, or they may only take them under certain conditions. Others may delay the process as long as possible. For these reasons, doing a return-and-refund deal on an aftermarket part can be difficult or even impossible.

Conclusion

OEM parts are the normal standard for several reasons, and it mostly comes down to the crucial issue of trust. You can trust that these parts have been made to the correct specifications and that they have been tested for quality. You can also trust that the manufacturer is properly qualified to make parts for your vehicle, and you can have a higher degree of confidence in their willingness to take returns. With a non-OEM part, you can’t guarantee any of those things. And so, if you now find yourself asking: “where can I find the best auto body shop near me?”, all you have to do is call Elmer’s Auto Body at (856) 218-0202.

In case you are not aware, your vehicle’s quarter panels can be found between your back tires and your trunk. Because they are located directly at the rear corners of your vehicle, they are fairly likely to take an impact. When a collision occurs, rear quarter panels are among the most common components to be damaged. Replacing these panels can sometimes be expensive, but it’s important to avoid used quarter panels. There are several reasons why we advise against the use of used quarter panels in collision repair.

Safety Is The Main Reason

As we said, your rear quarter panels are more likely to take damage in the event of a collision. As such, they represent an important part of your vehicle’s defenses. If one of these parts should fail under stress during a collision, there will be a greater likelihood of injury or death to anyone inside.

When you get a used quarter panel, it is very difficult to ascertain just how much damage it has sustained over its lifetime. Things like rust and stress cracking are not always obvious at first glance. Both rust and small stress-induced fractures can be hidden underneath the vehicle’s finish, making it very difficult to gauge the overall condition of the part. In many cases, parts like this have been sitting around in a junkyard for years. It simply wouldn’t be wise to trust your safety or that of your passengers to a suspect part.

Proper Repair Procedures Are Also Important

In the vast majority of cases, rear quarter panels have to be welded in place. This is done by drilling a hole and filling it with a “plug weld.” In order to avoid voiding your warranty or causing problems with your insurance coverage, that hole must be sized to a specific standard. In most cases, it’s 8mm or 10mm but the exact size varies according to the model of your vehicle.

In order to remove such a plug weld, you are going to have to use a drill to bore out and remove the weld material. By the time you are done, the hole will probably be a lot larger than 8-10mm, which means you are outside the OEM guidelines. Thus, it is virtually impossible to install a used quarter panel without going outside the official repair guidelines, which can cause many issues with the warranty and with your insurance company.

Welding Can Weaken A Quarter Panel

As we said, the process of installing a quarter panel usually involves welding. If your panel is made out of hardened steel (which many of them are), the intense heat generated by the welding process can become a problem. When steel is heated to a particular temperature, it can become harder. This may seem like a good thing, but hard doesn’t always mean strong. Materials that are extremely hard (like glass, for instance) are actually easier to shatter. The best steels work by using a mixture of hard and soft metals.

In most cases, a quarter panel can withstand the heat generated by a welding job without damaging the steel. However, when such a part has been welded multiple times, that’s when you start running into trouble. Each welding job will weaken the steel to some degree. Worse, this kind of weakening will not necessarily be detected upon inspection. This is yet another good reason to avoid the use of used quarter panels. You can end up with a weakened part that won’t hold up in the event of a collision.

What About Non-Steel Quarter Panels?

Some quarter panels are made of fiberglass, plastic, or carbon fiber. Rather than being welded in place, these are usually attached with screws and a strong adhesive. Of course, this is a special adhesive that is meant to bond the material to the surrounding metal parts. Obviously, you don’t have any heat-weakening issues here. In fact, you don’t have any of the metallurgical issues that might arise with steel.

However, there is a different problem here. The adhesives that are used to affix these panels in place are extremely strong. They are meant to produce a permanent bond, and that makes it very hard to remove such a panel. In most cases, it is not possible to remove one of these panels without some degree of damage. Even if you can remove that part without breaking it, any bending or twisting of the panel will weaken the material and reduce its ability to protect you.

A Word About Flanges

A lot of quarter panels have bottom surfaces called flanges that wrap underneath the car to some extent. These areas are reinforced and stress-hardened so that they become the strongest parts of the panel. This is done in order to protect the area of the panel that is closest to the ground. However, they will tend to weaken over time as a result of stress and rusting, so this is another good reason why you shouldn’t trust a used quarter panel.

Conclusion

If you happen to find yourself in need of a quarter panel replacement, you have probably been wondering: Where can I find the best auto body shop near me? There is no need to worry because we have an answer for you. You can call Elmer’s Auto Body at (856) 218-0202 and see why we have been South Jersey’s leading auto body shop for so many years.

When your vehicle has been involved in a collision, you will likely need the services of a good body shop. However, it is not possible for these shops to give a simple list of prices for their services. No two collisions are exactly alike in terms of damage, so every case requires an evaluation and an estimate. This isn’t always necessary for minor auto repairs, but it’s always necessary for body repairs.

Start By Talking To Your Insurance Company

If your vehicle has been in a collision, your insurance company will need to be notified. Even minor collisions should be reported unless there is absolutely no damage. Any collision that is bad enough to require repairs will be serious enough to warrant informing your insurance company. When you call them to make this report, talk to them about getting a repair estimate.

Insurance companies will generally have good working relationships with certain auto body shops because they have to work with these companies anyway. Thus, it makes sense to cultivate good communication with shops that have proven to be trustworthy. The insurance company will be able to set you up with a shop where you can take your car for an estimate. If the vehicle is immobile, they may send someone out to your home for an on-site assessment. Either way, dealing with your insurance company is the first step.

Choose A Shop

Even if your insurance company recommends a particular shop, the choice of where to send your vehicle is ultimately yours. If you have a particular mechanic that you really like and trust, you can choose to take it there. In other cases, your insurance company may give you a list of approved shops in your area from which to choose. Either way, you will have to make a decision as to where you want to take your vehicle for repairs. You should also be aware that all body shops will charge a fee for an estimate, as it requires time and effort to do a thorough evaluation.

Get The Estimate And Report Back

When you take your vehicle to the shop you have chosen, they will examine the damage and give you an estimate. This process might be very quick, or it might take several days. Your wait time will mostly depend on how busy the shop happens to be. Once you have that estimate, you need to report that information back to your insurance company. They will want to do a review of the information that has been provided and verify that they are willing to cover the repairs. This entire process can take several days, so be prepared for a little bit of waiting.

The Totaling Option

If the damage is judged to be beyond repair, or if the estimate is exceptionally high, you might be better off scrapping the car and receiving a payment from your insurance company. If your insurance company is willing to cover the cost of a new vehicle, that option should at least be considered. You should be aware that your deductible will apply to any payment that you are given. You should also be aware that this kind of situation can become complicated if your vehicle isn’t fully paid off.

How Much Of The Damage Will I Have To Pay?

To answer that question, you need to look at the deductible on your insurance policy. This is the amount that you will have to pay, and anything beyond that will be covered by your insurance company. Make sure that you remember this number when evaluating a repair estimate.

What Does An Estimate Include

Most estimates will consist of labor costs and the cost of any required parts. To be more specific, it will include whatever is necessary to return your car to its pre-collision state. This means replacing any damaged parts with new parts of comparable quality. Most insurance companies will guarantee their estimates to a certain extent. This means that if the job is not done correctly and fully, they will pay to repair anything that was missed.

Conclusion

You should also understand that there are two kinds of estimates. A preliminary estimate just involves a quick visual inspection, and those tend to be free. On the other hand, a full and complete inspection usually takes a bit longer, and it probably won’t be free. If you are looking for auto body shops in South Jersey to help you with your collision repair estimate, we just happen to be the best NJ body shop around. To find out more, you can call Elmer’s Auto Body at (856) 218-0202.

If you have ever watched a professional auto mechanic at work, you have probably seen them plug a small device into the vehicle’s console for the purpose of “reading codes.” Most people have seen these devices at some point, but not everyone realizes how crucial they are. Every repair job should begin with a diagnostic/estimate. In order to do that step correctly, you need a proper scan. Otherwise, there is no way to know if all the problems have been discovered.

Why Don’t Some Repair Shops Perform Scans?

There are several reasons why some shops neglect this important step. Sometimes, they will omit the scan because they simply don’t have the right scanning equipment. If they have the right equipment, but it isn’t on hand at the time, they may also choose to omit the scan. Obviously, both of these occurrences are red flags that indicate that your repair shop isn’t very professional.

In many cases, this problem is just the result of outdated thinking. Prior to 2016, not all vehicles were able to be scanned. The first OBD (On-Board Diagnostic) tool was invented in the late 1970s, but support for these tools did not become a standard feature until fairly recently. Before 2016, scanning was not always necessary or possible. Thankfully, this part of the problem will solve itself over time as new technicians are trained properly.

Why You Need An OBD Scan

It is highly essential to perform a scan both before and after a repair job. The initial scan is done to confirm that all problems have been found. Modern vehicles have many electronic components like sensors, and it isn’t always easy to tell when one of these parts has stopped working. You can generally look at an engine or an alternator and diagnose the problem, but electronic components aren’t so easy.

When you take your vehicle to the shop, you are probably there to deal with a specific problem. However, there might be all sorts of secondary problems that will cause trouble in the future. It is always better to correct a problem while it is small. Because your vehicle is probably working every day, small problems have a tendency to grow and get worse with time. An OBD scan allows you to detect vehicular issues as soon as possible.

After the repair has been completed, it is equally important to do a post-scan. If you don’t do this, there is no way to verify that the existing problems have been fixed. Again, mechanics in the past didn’t have such an easy way to confirm the effectiveness of their repairs, but it would be foolish to omit such a step today.

This also brings us to a discussion of liability. It is possible to hold a shoddy repair shop legally accountable if they do not perform the services for which you have paid. In some extreme cases, there could even be criminal fraud charges. Thus, it makes a lot of sense for a repair shop to do these scans and document the results. It gives them a way to prove that the car was, in fact, repaired as ordered.

No-Scan Repairs Can Void Your Warranty

Most vehicles have a warranty, but all of them have certain conditions. In particular, most warranties have provisions regarding repairs. Vehicle manufacturers know that there are some terrible excuses for auto mechanics out there, and they don’t want to be held liable for the mistakes of such people. Thus, they usually require that your vehicle is repaired by a technician who has been certified by their company.

Of course, these are just warranty stipulations. There is no law (in most states) that prevents an unlicensed person from setting up shop and repairing vehicles for money. Certified technicians must follow a specific OEM process to repair the vehicle correctly, and this process will pretty much always include pre-scans and post-scans. This is why no-scan repairs have the potential to void your warranty.

How Does An OBD Scanner Work?

These are very simple tools that are intended to diagnose vehicular problems with efficiency. There is a small handheld unit with a cable that plugs into the vehicle. On most vehicles, the OBD port is located under the steering wheel. Using a small screen on the device, the technician selects the make and model of the vehicle.

Next, the device performs the scan, which doesn’t usually take more than a minute or two. When it’s finished, the device will display a series of numeric codes. The final step is to look up those code numbers, as each one corresponds to a specific malfunction. Although it is possible for these devices to make mistakes, they can generally be trusted.

Conclusion

The subject of OBD scanning is a very simple one, which fits with the simplicity and utility of the device. Of course, we should mention that there are different kinds of OBD scanners, but all of them perform the same basic function. Auto body scanning is not an optional step, and all credible shops understand this fact, so don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. If you need a good body shop or any other kind of automotive service, you can always call Elmer’s Auto Body at (856) 218-0202.