Do you own a 2019 Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra? Do you need repairs but don’t know where to look or who to trust? This post will point you the right direction.
So many car models are being redesigned and updated these days that when something breaks down, it’s often hard to get the most updated information on what a specific model needs, as opposed to the general repair methods used on older vehicles. If you’re not a repair technician, and don’t really have the expertise or the time to become a technical expert on the unique features of your car, it’s easy for auto repair shops to take advantage and use unsafe shortcuts to make it seem like they’re “fixing” your car.
Improper repair methods can not only affect your warranty on the vehicle, but also endanger your safety in the long run. The 2019 Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra is a popular vehicle that does have several generic repair procedures offered by GM (General Motors). However the most recent design updates for this model has brought about some changes to the vehicle’s service and repair manual. In this article we’ll mention the unique aspects of repairing this particular model, so you can make an educated decision when bringing your vehicle in for repairs. The new repair procedures include:
Body Repair
GM now offers service parts for right and left parts of the vehicle frame as opposed to just the full frame for the previous model. This means you should ask your collision repair center about replacing specific parts of the frame, rather than jumping to a full frame replacement while getting an estimate for your repairs.
There are several repair options for the front end module of the car. If the front module is damaged you can 1) replace the radiator core support 2) sectioning of the upper left and right rails or 3) replace the entire module. Keep in mind that there are different brackets that need to be installed depending on whether it’s a GMC or a Chevrolet. While both models are essentially the same vehicle, there are minor details that your repair technician should pay attention to.
Any damage done to the steel frame will require a full module replacement.
Calibration
On the inside, the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra has a forward-facing camera located near the rear view mirror. This aids the vehicle’s adaptive cruise control and parking assist features. You should note that if any of these parts are removed or replaced along with the windshield, the camera will have to be recalibrated. The same goes for any cameras and sensors located in the back of the vehicle, or the box.
The Box
Repair procedures for the box may be different than the methods used by the manufacturer to assemble it. It’s important for an auto body repairer to pay attention to the LED lights and outlets built into the box.
Rear Frame Module
There are specific replacement procedures for the rear frame module, guiding the repair technician to replace parts at factory seams.
Be mindful of the ultrasonic blind spot sensors and parking sensors located on the rear bumper.
Cameras
The 2019 Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra has a 360 degree camera system. If any of these cameras are removed or replaced, they’ll have to be calibrated to ensure the vehicle is just as safe as when you bought it.
Conclusion
Because there are so many new specifications and unique repair procedures to follow, it’s important to your safety and the value of the vehicle that your auto body repair technician does the research to fix it in the right way. Car manufacturers will always have safe repair guidelines to help insure the integrity of the vehicle, however many collision repair centers like to cut corners to save money or shorten the time needed for repair. As the car owner, it’s in your best interest to find a repairer that follows the procedures provided by the manufacturer to restore that vehicle back to the exact way it was prior to the accident “pre-loss condition”. This is essentially what your insurance is for, yet many car owners don’t know or forget to take advantage of this.
We are also proud to say that we are among the 10% of auto body repair shops in the country that are I-CAR Gold Class trained. This is especially important when looking for the best place to take your car to be repaired when technicians aren’t legally required to follow OEM repair procedures.
In addition to providing you with only the safest and correct repair, we will work with you and your insurance company to ensure the process is as stress-free as possible. You can think of us as your agency/policyholder liaison!
We have 7 different locations across Delaware, Chester, and Montgomery Counties. Feel free to give us a call at anytime at (877)-692-7776. For a list of the phone numbers for each of our locations or to schedule an estimate, click here.
