Remove Bumper to Replace Fender?
06-24-08, 10:26 AM
#1
Driver
Thread Starter
Remove Bumper to Replace Fender?
Hi,
My girlfriend's SC430 got hit and the bodyshop wants to replace the fender. They say the bumper needs to be removed in order to do this. Naturally, the insurance company doesn't want to pay the $300 or so in labor to remove the bumper so they are saying it doesn't need to be removed and at the most, it needs to be loosened.
What do you guys think? Does it need to be removed?
My girlfriend's SC430 got hit and the bodyshop wants to replace the fender. They say the bumper needs to be removed in order to do this. Naturally, the insurance company doesn't want to pay the $300 or so in labor to remove the bumper so they are saying it doesn't need to be removed and at the most, it needs to be loosened.
What do you guys think? Does it need to be removed?
06-24-08, 02:09 PM
#4
Driver
Thread Starter
Thanks guys. CSAA of all companies. I think the total estimate is quite reasonable considering what the car looks like but for some reason, the adjuster is determined to be stubborn on this one point.
06-24-08, 02:20 PM
#6
Tell the adjuster to show you the shop manual that states a fender can be R & R with out removing the bumper. It’s a bunch of bs and you shouldn’t have to deal with it.
Do you live in the San Fernando Valley?
I swear I have seen this car on and around Burbank blvd, the other week it was parked in front of an Irish pub on Burbank. It's the same color int/ext and has the same wheels.
Do you live in the San Fernando Valley?
I swear I have seen this car on and around Burbank blvd, the other week it was parked in front of an Irish pub on Burbank. It's the same color int/ext and has the same wheels.
Last edited by Lexiss_sc430; 06-24-08 at 02:26 PM.
06-24-08, 02:53 PM
#7
Driver
Thread Starter
Okay so now she's saying go ahead with removing the bumper. But the issue now is that the estimate says "overhaul" for the front bumper cover assembly instead of "R and I". 
Actually on the estimate, they've got 3 hours for the bumper and their rate is only $72 so it's really only $216. The shop is reputable but they do seem to have a low labor rate.
Lexiss we're up north in the San Jose area.
Actually on the estimate, they've got 3 hours for the bumper and their rate is only $72 so it's really only $216. The shop is reputable but they do seem to have a low labor rate.
Lexiss we're up north in the San Jose area.
Trending Topics
06-25-08, 11:09 AM
#10
It is all quoted in shop time hours, its a type of standardized rating system where they set a certain amount of labor time for each task. Why do you think the Lexus dealer charges you 8-10 hours of shop time for the t-belt job, when it probably takes their experienced techs 4-5 hours.
06-25-08, 11:33 AM
#11
Overhaul of bumpers is very common and the quality is pretty good plus you know it will fit and the many imperfections of a new part are already taken care of. They send the bumper out to have repaired for this process. personally I would prefer that over a new bumper in this care. New body parts can come with many imperfections.
Put another way, I just spend the weekend and more fixing the son's Maxima which required a new hood amongst many other items. It took me 3 hours just to get the dings and dents out of the NEW hood. Plus the alignment ,etc. If I could have found a used hood I would have gone that route.
To remove the bumper (which I need to do next weekend on my SC) takes only 1 hour at the most with simple hand tools.
To answer the other question though it seems mute now as they (insurance) changed their stance, yes that fender could be fixed on the car. They tack weld a puller on the dent and pull it out. But given the damage to that fender with all of the curves plus the dent included many edges all reputable companies would replace that fender as the labor to fix it vs a new fender does not warrant the effort and since most insurance companies offer a warranty on a repair they would not want to shell out more $ down the line. Most fenders (Maxima for one) are welded onto the radiator support or elsewhere so that has to be kept in mind. Not sure on the SC, would have to look carefully at mine to tell but the fender should also be welded. Will look later.
Also, it is not just the bumper that needs removal;the headlights need to be pulled plus who knows what else underneath to gain access to the fender plus the mentioned weld. Metalwork is not cheap. I'm sure the book time also calls for headlight alignment though that would not be required in this case. But, they will still charge for it.
Put another way, I just spend the weekend and more fixing the son's Maxima which required a new hood amongst many other items. It took me 3 hours just to get the dings and dents out of the NEW hood. Plus the alignment ,etc. If I could have found a used hood I would have gone that route.
To remove the bumper (which I need to do next weekend on my SC) takes only 1 hour at the most with simple hand tools.
To answer the other question though it seems mute now as they (insurance) changed their stance, yes that fender could be fixed on the car. They tack weld a puller on the dent and pull it out. But given the damage to that fender with all of the curves plus the dent included many edges all reputable companies would replace that fender as the labor to fix it vs a new fender does not warrant the effort and since most insurance companies offer a warranty on a repair they would not want to shell out more $ down the line. Most fenders (Maxima for one) are welded onto the radiator support or elsewhere so that has to be kept in mind. Not sure on the SC, would have to look carefully at mine to tell but the fender should also be welded. Will look later.
Also, it is not just the bumper that needs removal;the headlights need to be pulled plus who knows what else underneath to gain access to the fender plus the mentioned weld. Metalwork is not cheap. I'm sure the book time also calls for headlight alignment though that would not be required in this case. But, they will still charge for it.
Last edited by Pearlpower; 06-25-08 at 11:41 AM.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
