Category: Collision Repair

Can Damage From A Head-On Collision Be Repaired?

A head-on collision is one of the worst types of auto accidents that you can suffer. These types of collisions are far more likely to result in serious injury, and also much more likely to decimate your vehicle. Obviously, the damage will mostly be in the front, and that’s where the most important part (the engine) is located. So, that brings us to the essential question. Can damage from a head-on collision be repaired? It depends on several key factors.

The Extent Of The Damage

The first thing to understand is that it all depends on the extent of the damage. If you are talking about a low-speed collision or an indirect collision, the damage might be minimal. In most vehicles, the radiator is right in the front, so it’s probably going to be toast. There is always going to be a fan right behind that radiator, so it’s likely going to be destroyed as well. However, those parts can be changed out without much trouble, so they aren’t the biggest concerns.

The biggest concerns are the frame of the vehicle itself, as well as the engine. When these things are damaged beyond repair, it’s better to scrap and replace the car. If there is frame damage, it might still be possible to repair the vehicle, but that is something that has to be decided on a case-by-case basis. While it is certainly possible to replace an engine, the parts and labor involved are going to be extremely expensive.

Type Of Damage Incurred

It’s not just about the sheer extent of the damage, as the type of damage will also be a determining factor. If the frame has been bent to the left or the right, this is called “sway damage.” Likewise, “twist damage” involves the frame being twisted. You also might have “mash damage”, in which the metal of the frame has been compressed like an accordion.

Mash damage is probably the worst of the three, while sway damage is generally less serious. Twist damage is right in the middle, as it all depends on the extent of the twist. After a certain point, the frame can no longer be restored to a safe and stable state. However, if you just have some light sway, the vehicle can probably be repaired. Body shops have straightening machines that are great for light damage, and damaged sections of a frame can often be replaced.

Safety Concerns

Safety should always be a key factor when choosing whether to repair or replace a vehicle. For example, let’s say that your car has suffered severe mash damage and some twisting in key places. It might be possible for a skilled body shop technician to restore that vehicle to a point where it can be driven. However, it will never be particularly safe to drive that vehicle. Should it be involved in another collision with a badly weakened frame, the results could be catastrophic.

Body shops have to think about these things when repairing vehicles. If they send someone out with an unsafe vehicle and something terrible happens, they can be held liable. There are also various laws and state-level regulations that determine when a car can legally be allowed back on the road after a collision.

Type Of Vehicle Frame

All cars and trucks made today will generally have one of two frame types: Uni-body or ladder-frame. A uni-body frame is exactly what the name implies: The entire frame is one piece. A ladder-on-frame design, by contrast, uses the frame as more of an anchor on which to attach the body. You usually see ladder-frame designs on trucks and other larger vehicles, as it is better for bearing a large amount of weight. In any case, uni-body repairs tend to be more expensive and more difficult.

Availability Of Parts

If your vehicle is damaged severely enough to compromise the frame, there will certainly be other damaged parts as well. Most (if not all) of these will need to be replaced. Of course, this might include sections of the frame and body, so you’re definitely looking at some expenses for all those parts. And, of course, that problem becomes much harder if your vehicle’s parts are not so easy to find. Aftermarket parts can often be substituted for rare ones, but that might reduce the vehicle’s resale value.

Can You Drive A Vehicle With Frame Damage?

Absolutely not. It is not safe to drive a vehicle that has suffered frame damage. We have already mentioned the fact that such vehicles are unsafe due to their structural integrity being weakened. However, there is another problem: Such a car usually won’t drive straight. The frame is the very core of the vehicle, so you cannot expect it to travel straight on a bent frame.

Conclusion

As you can see, there is no simple answer here. Damage from a head-on collision may or may not be possible to repair. It mainly depends on how much damage the vehicle took, what type of damage was incurred, and the amount of time and money that will be required to return the vehicle to an acceptable condition. If you are in need of a frame repair, there is no need to ask yourself “where can I find the best auto body shop near me?” because you are already looking in the right place. To find out more, you can call us at (856) 218-0202.

7 Signs That You Might Have Received Bad Auto Body Repair

Unfortunately, not all repair shops are equally good. While many of them are run by highly competent and well-trained people, there are always a few exceptions here and there. In many cases, substandard mechanics will rely on the customer to accept the work without asking too many questions. This, of course, is a mistake, and it often leads to shoddy repair work going unnoticed and uncorrected. Here are 7 of the plainest signs that you might see if you have received a bad auto body repair.

1. The Steering Doesn’t Feel Normal

When a vehicle impact occurs, it will frequently affect some aspect of your steering. This might be something obvious (like wheel damage), but an expert repair technician should be able to catch the subtle issues, too. If your steering feels choppy or “gravelly” after being repaired, they probably missed something. If there is clicking or excessive resistance when you turn the wheel, there is definitely something wrong. You might even experience a handling delay while turning, which could be dangerous.

2. The Alignment Of The Wheels Is Off-Center

Whenever major collision repairs are done, the wheels should be balanced and aligned. The purpose of this is to make sure that everything is pointed in the right direction (i.e., straight ahead). Some mechanics will try to skimp on this step, but it’s easy to tell if your alignment is not right. Simply find a long straight stretch of road without much traffic. Country roads are the safest bet. While traveling completely straight, take your hands off the wheel for just a second or two and see if the car starts drifting to one side. Obviously, you need to grab the wheel again quickly so that you don’t go too far. If the car wants to drift, that means your alignment has not been fixed.

3. Irregular Braking

If you find yourself experiencing brake behavior that doesn’t match with the pre-collision performance, it’s also a sign that your repair shop may have done a poor job. When you hit the brakes, it should stop as easily and quickly as you would expect. If there is a lot of noise coming from them, something is probably wrong. If the vehicle tries to drift left or right when you hit the brakes, something is definitely wrong.

4. Gaps And Misalignment

Collision repair often involves the replacement of external parts, such as bumpers and panels. However, a less-savvy type of mechanic might have a hard time getting everything to line up properly. If someone doesn’t know what they are doing, it is very easy to end up with gaps between panels, misaligned parts, and other such issues. These gaps can cause serious problems over time by allowing rainwater into places that would normally be protected. You can check for gaps and misalignment by opening and closing doors, the hood, the trunk, and/or the tailgate (if you have a truck). If these have trouble closing or staying closed, it’s a dead giveaway that something isn’t lined up properly.

5. Electrical System Issues

Modern vehicles have a lot of electronic components, and that means many things that can go wrong during a collision repair. When you get your vehicle back from the shop, do a quick check of all the electrical components and make sure they still work correctly. This would include the radio, air conditioner/heat, power locks, power windows, dashboard lights, turn signals, brake lights, etc. If you find something wrong, it’s time to head back to the shop.

6. Your Car Is Returned Dirty

If your vehicle is in the hands of a competent professional, it should not be returned to you in a dirty state. Auto repair is often a messy business, but it is the responsibility of any good mechanic to return your car in the best possible state. If they don’t take the time to clean the thing, it makes you wonder what else they may have neglected or forgotten to do. This one isn’t a huge problem in itself, but it is an indicator of unprofessional service.

7. The Paint Job Is Splotchy

Technically, anyone can repaint a vehicle. However, it takes a little bit of expertise to do it right. The real art lies in matching colors, which allows paint repairs to blend into the existing paint job. If they do not match your original color well enough, you will be able to tell when you look at that spot. In some cases, the “splotch” might only be visible in bright daylight, but that is still unacceptable. A professional and well-trained collision repair shop should not send your vehicle home with an ugly finish.

Conclusion

There are many other signs that can indicate substandard repair work, but this article could never hope to cover them all. However, you definitely need to think about the nature of the work that has been done, and this will tell you what problems are likely to occur. For instance, if they were working on your brakes, that is obviously the first thing you should test. That kind of thinking will help you to find any additional problems.

If you find yourself asking: “where is the best auto body shop near me?”, we have your answer. Elmer’s Auto Body is the most respected auto shop in South Jersey, and we’ve been in the business of collision repair for over 70 years. To find out more, you can call us at (856) 218-0202.

How To Find A Trustworthy Body Shop/Collision Repair Center

Most people will require collision repair at some point in their lives. However, it is not always certain that you will be able to find a reputable and high-quality collision repair center. If you find yourself in a situation where you need a good body shop and you don’t already know of a good one in your area, it’s important to be careful. Every business has at least a few crooks, and the collision repair business is no exception. Here are some tips that can help you to distinguish the good from the crooked.

1. Reviews

This is usually the best place to begin. Once you have some basic info about the body shop, it will usually be possible to find some reviews and customer testimonials. Do not trust those that come from the company itself (i.e., customer testimonials on their web page). You cannot necessarily trust those, mostly because you have no way to verify them. Third-party review sites tend to be better since they have no particular bias.

When you look at reviews, you should realize that some businesses like to “review-bomb” their competitors. The concept is simple: They get people to leave a series of bad reviews, which of course will be false. You can often spot these kinds of reviews when you see criticisms that make no sense, or which are inconsistent. And so, you shouldn’t look so much at single reviews: Read a lot of reviews and evaluate them on a “big picture” kind of basis.

2. Word Of Mouth

You may not know of a good auto body shop in the area, but you might know someone who does. It might be a friend, a relative, a co-worker, or someone else that you know and like. This is why it pays to ask around and talk to the people you know well. There is a good chance that at least one of those people knows of a good option in your area.

When you do this, it is important that you don’t just go blindly with a recommendation. Use word-of-mouth as a starting point, and then do your homework on the company. Also, when someone recommends a shop to you, get as many details as you can from them. This will allow you to better evaluate the quality of their work and service.

3. Look Up BBB Information

If you really want to do a deep dive into a particular company, look them up on the website of the Better Business Bureau. This is an excellent way to verify basic information about the company. For instance, if someone says that they have been in business for decades, you can check that information on the BBB website and see it for yourself.

4. Use Customer Service As A Measuring Stick

A good auto body shop will tend to have good customer service, so this can be a good way to measure their quality. You want to find an auto body repair shop that offers responsiveness and high-quality work with minimal delay. When you ask them for information about what they need to do, how much it will cost, etc., they should be eager and willing to provide you with all the necessary information. If they are not forthcoming about details, rates, and other specific information, it can indicate shady business practices.

5. Get Multiple Price Quotes

Regardless of which body shop you are checking out, it pays to get estimates from all the auto body shops in your area. They often won’t be willing to give you an exact estimate over the phone, but you can probably get a rough estimate out of them without a lot of fuss. If you have pictures of the damage on your phone, you can send them by text message for better accuracy. The purpose of this is very simple: You need an approximate price range for your repair job. That way, if your chosen body shop tries to overcharge you, it won’t go unnoticed.

6. Call Your Auto Insurance Company

If you’ve been involved in a major collision, there is a good chance that your insurance company is already involved. And so, you might as well avail yourselves of their investigative resources. If you call them and ask them to give you some information about the body shop, they can probably find that information more easily than you can. Again, they are probably involved anyway, so they will certainly have enough of a vested interest to help you out.

Some insurance companies will insist that you have your car repaired by a shop that they have approved. Obviously, if that happens in your case, you won’t need to bother with this step.

How Can I Find A Trustworthy Auto Body Shop Near Me?

There are certain indicators of honesty that hold true for all human interactions. Even if you don’t know anything about auto repair, you can still learn to recognize the telltale signs of dishonesty. In general, you should always look for a company that offers prompt and helpful service, honest estimates and appraisals, fair prices when compared to others in the area, and a straightforward demeanor.

At this point, you might be wondering: “Where can I find that sort of auto body shop near me?” If you would like to know the answer to that question, and especially if you happen to live in South Jersey, you can call Elmer’s Auto Body at (856) 218-0202.

Car Frame Damage 101

Every car will get damaged at some point, but frame damage is one of the most serious kinds. The frame and the engine are the two most crucial pieces of any vehicle, so frame damage must not be ignored. If you let this kind of thing go, it will only become worse and could become a serious safety hazard. For those who have never had to deal with this situation before, let’s go over the basics of car frame damage.

Uni-Frame Vs. Body-On-Frame Designs

You will need to know what kind of frame your vehicle might have. There are two basic types, referred to as “uni-frame” and “body-on-frame.” As you might guess from the name, a uni-frame is a combination of frame and body. The two pieces are fused together (usually through welding) so that they are one unified piece. Most passenger automobiles have this kind of frame, so this is most likely what you have.

Body-on-frame vehicles, on the other hand, have a separate body and frame. These two pieces will be bolted together for stability, but they are still two different parts. These frames are most often seen in large vehicles like trucks, SUVs, and buses. For these large vehicles, a uni-body frame would be impractical. The complications of shipping such a large uni-frame alone make it more sensible to keep the two parts separated.

What Does A Vehicle Frame Do?

A vehicle frame serves several purposes, but it’s mostly there to serve as the “skeleton” on which the rest of the vehicle is built. Like an actual skeleton, it is also there to provide support for everything else. Apart from that, a frame is also there to provide protection for the car and its occupants in the event of a collision.

How Can I Tell If My Vehicle’s Frame Is Damaged?

It can be difficult to recognize frame damage if it isn’t particularly severe. Sometimes, of course, it is obvious. If your car has suffered a collision that is bad enough to render the vehicle unusable, it is time to get checked out for frame damage. For those cases which are not so obvious, here are a few potential warning signs:

Wheels are out of alignment and/or don’t track properly
Body panels have become misaligned
Uneven tire wear
Strange grinding or rattling sounds
The vehicle no longer sits parallel to the ground

Repair Or Replace?

When it comes to frame damage, you need to remember that this is a safety issue. If you should happen to suffer another collision, a damaged frame could reduce your protection and make injury (or even death) more likely. That is why replacement is preferable to repair. The good news is that you don’t always necessarily have to replace the entire frame. Most vehicles are made in such a way that you can replace one section of the frame when needed.

We would recommend that you always consider replacing the vehicle if it has suffered major frame damage. Most people recommend that you avoid buying a car with frame damage (no matter how cheap it may be). In like manner, you shouldn’t drive one like that, either. Yes, replacement tends to be more expensive, but how much is your life worth to you?

Frame Components

When a mechanic refers to your frame, they will probably refer to one of the frame components. It pays to understand these terms so that you know what your mechanic means:

Core support: The front part of the frame where the radiator sits
Unirail: Two beams located at the front and back
Strut Tower: four pillars at the corners of the vehicle
Apron: Front inner fender areas
Firewall: The wall-like section that separates the engine from the cabin
Floor pan: The metal sheet that makes up the floor of the vehicle
A-B-C Pillars: Vertical support pillars
Rocker panels: Located between the wheels and under the doors
Quarter panel: The panels that make up the front and back corners

Conclusion

The most important thing to remember is the fact that frame damage is very serious. If you have been in a collision and you suspect that frame damage has occurred, it is crucial that you get your vehicle to a trusted mechanic as soon as possible. Even if there is no frame damage, you will want to confirm that fact rather than trust your initial impression. With this in mind, you might be asking: “where is the closest auto body shop near me?” The answer to that question is Elmer’s Auto Body, as we have been providing the best auto body service in South Jersey for over 75 years. If you would like to learn more about frame repair or replacement services, give us a call at (856) 218-0202.

Does Paintless Dent Repair Work?

At some point, everyone will have to deal with a dent in their automobile. It might come from a minor collision in a parking lot, a rear-ending incident, or maybe even from hail damage. Wherever it comes from, nobody wants that kind of accident messing up their nice pristine vehicle. Even though most dents are minor problems that don’t affect the functioning of the car, they can still affect our enjoyment of the vehicle by marring its appearance.

Dent Repair Options

There are lots of ways to repair dents in an automobile. When the dent is extremely severe, it may not be possible to repair. In a case like this, all you can really do is replace the damaged part. However, the good news is that most dents can be fixed.

At one time, it was common to fix dents using a “filler” method. Putty can be used to fill in the dented area. It is then necessary to paint over the putty filler and repaint the surrounding area to match. Needless to say, this is a highly imperfect method. Not only does it fail to actually fix the damage, but it also requires a lot of expensive repainting.

Fortunately, paintless dent repair has become the new standard. This method involves the use of specialized tools to “pull” the dent out of the vehicle. As long as the dent is minor, this is the best option. Not only does it actually fix the damage and restore the structural integrity of your vehicle, but it also saves you a lot of money on labor and repainting costs.

Does Paintless Dent Repair Work?

This method, often called PDR for short, does indeed work very well. It may not work for all cases, but most dents can be repaired in this way. PDR has gained a lot of popularity in recent years because it is better on every level: It is cheaper, faster, easier, and more effective.

PDR is also better for repair businesses because it is so cost-effective. Not only that but the speed and convenience of the process allow mechanics to work more efficiently. This translates to shorter wait times for the customer, which is another great benefit.

When Paint-Less Dent Repair Doesn’t Work

Unfortunately, there are still times when you will simply have to replace the entire part. Even a highly effective process like this won’t be effective for every situation. We already mentioned that huge, deep dents will probably not be fixed in this way. PDR will not be a good option if:

The dent has sharp edges and/or corners
the metal itself has been torn or punctured
The area is already damaged by rust
The paint inside the dent has already been detached
The dent is situated right at the edge of a panel

Advantages Of Paintless Dent Repair

The biggest advantage of this method is cost reduction. It’s cheaper for the repair shops, and so it is also cheaper for the customer. Auto repair bills generally consist of two components: Parts and labor. With PDR, there are no expenses for parts, as that would defeat the entire purpose of the process. You’re trying to get rid of the dent without having to replace an entire section of your car body. Therefore, PDR costs mostly consist of labor fees. Since it doesn’t usually take long to do these repairs, no one can really justify a high price tag.

PDR is also a lot faster and more convenient. If you have the right tools, and if you have the expertise to use them correctly, minor dents and dings can be fixed with much greater ease. This is an important factor because nobody wants to wait a long time for their vehicle to be ready. Chances are, you need your vehicle every day for crucial things.

Another great benefit is the fact that you don’t have to worry about color-matching. Even for a professional, it can be very hard to match the exact shade of your old finish. The problem is made more difficult by the fact that auto finishes tend to fade a little with time. Thus, if you want the new paint job to match, you have to reproduce that “fade” effect artificially. Even if all vehicles were painted in a standard set of colors, fading would still make color-matching difficult. However, when you go with PDR, you don’t have to worry about all that.

Finally, we should mention resale value. You may not be planning to keep your vehicle forever, especially if it has problems. If you are one of those people, the resale value becomes pretty important. That’s another area where PDR shines because it allows you to keep the original paint job. Vehicles that have retained the factory paint are always going to be worth a little more.

Conclusion

People across the world have found out that paintless dent repair really does work. In fact, when PDR is possible, it is truly the best method to use. Vehicle paint and primer aren’t cheap, and that has a lot to do with the high cost of automobile repainting. If you would like to know more about this process, or if you need competent dent repair, there is no need to ask: “Where is the best auto body shop near me?” Instead, you can give us a call at (856) 218-0202.

Best Ways to Avoid Damage Caused by Potholes

Potholes might look like small craters in the road, but they can cause significant damage to your vehicle. For that reason, avoiding potholes is a must, especially if you want to prevent costly repair bills. Here are a few things you can do to limit the damage caused by a pothole.

What Causes a Pothole?

Any depression on the surface of a road is considered a pothole. They often develop after water seeps into the crevices and cracks of the pavement. As a result, gravel and dirt push towards the surface when the water freezes and expands. Once the temperature warms up, holes will form in the pavement. These large divots in the road cause damage to vehicles. Unfortunately, any pothole damage is the driver’s responsibility, and it can affect the suspension and other parts of the car.

How To Safely Drive Over a Pothole

Depending on the size of the hole, damages from a pothole can be minor or severe. If you want to avoid any possible repair bills, you must learn to move around these holes. Here are a few things you can do to prevent pothole damage to your car.

Slow Down

Significant damage can result from traveling over the hole at a high rate of speed. When you spot that pothole, you should lower your speed. Before you get to the pothole, slow down but don’t push on the brakes. Braking can actually increase the risk of damage to your vehicle.

Use Caution When Traveling Over Puddles

Always assume that a puddle could be a large pothole. After a heavy rain, water can fill up the pothole, making it seem like a small puddle. However, these puddles are covering up a large pothole in the road. You always want to avoid driving in any pool of water. Try to maneuver around the puddle safely.

Prepare for Impact

Hitting a pothole can cause you to lose control of the vehicle. You need to take a firm grip on the steering wheel to maintain control. If you have passengers in the car, warn them of the potential impact.

Keep a Safe Distance from Other Vehicles

When you spot a pothole, keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you. You can reduce the risk of an accident by providing enough space for other cars. This action can prevent a rear-end collision, especially if the driver in front of you swerves or slams on the brakes.

Inflate Your Car’s Tires To the Proper Level

If you have under-inflated tires, they might not withstand driving over a pothole. You always want to ensure that the tires are inflated to the proper air level for your vehicle. The correct PSI is located in the owner’s manual or on the side of the driver’s door. If you want to stay safe, always check the tire pressure about once a month.

Potholes and Vehicle Damage

Pull over to a safe area if you have already driven over a pothole and think it damaged the vehicle. You should get out and inspect your vehicle for any signs of damage. In some cases, the damage might not be visible to you. Here are a few places to check on your car.

Tires

Potholes can affect the integrity of your tires. Most of the damage occurs to the sidewall. After the tire hits the pothole, it can lose air. You might even see the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) light on your dashboard. In many cases, the tire will need to be replaced.

Wheels

Wheels are also susceptible to pothole damage. When a wheel is damaged, it will not travel smoothly on the road. Like a tire, wheel damage often requires a complete replacement.

Suspension

Driving over a pothole can cause damage to your suspension system. In some situations, your vehicle would shift out of alignment. If the vehicle is pulling to the left or right, you need to get your car inspected by an experienced auto body repair shop.

However, these areas are not the only places where damage could occur. If any strange noises are coming from the car, you will need to have it inspected by an auto body shop. Even minor damage could cause significant problems down the road.

Potholes are problematic, and you will always want to avoid them on the road. If you cannot avoid these holes, try safely driving over them. With that, you may be able to lower your risk of damaging your vehicle.

Unfortunately, potholes cause hundreds of dollars of damage every year. Potholes can develop on any road or street when the temperatures drop and rise quickly. If you have traveled over a pothole and now notice problems, make sure to schedule an inspection for your vehicle. With that, you may save yourself from larger repair bills down the road.

Get Your Vehicle Inspected Today

At Elmer’s Auto Body, we can repair your vehicle and get it back to that pre-accident condition. Potholes can cause damage to the wheels, tires, and suspension. Driving a car with poor suspension can be dangerous, putting you and other drivers at risk. A full inspection will ensure that your vehicle is safe for the road.

Our technicians use the latest technology and tools to fix those damaged areas. Your satisfaction and safety are our top priorities. Don’t ignore any pothole damage. When you need to find an “auto body shop near me”, schedule a consultation by calling (856) 218-0202.