I was involved in an accident -- fix at dealer or independent shop?

[M_Bronco]

Sorry to post another accident thread but I am looking for advice.
I was driving through intersection when a dodge ram hit me on the side. The hit was mainly on the rear passenger tire it shifted out of place. I am guessing the rear axle and one shock needs to be replaced but I am not sure. I attached a few pictures please share your opinion.

I reached out to my dealer and they said I have to bring it in Monday for an assessment. Do you guys recommend fixing it at the dealer or sending it to another shop and get some aftermarket parts maybe a 2 inch lift and an aftermarket rear bumper?

if I fix it at the dealership can I get aftermarket parts like a bumper to be installed?

thank you

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[BroncoA512021]

Most dealers don’t do body work. Bring it to your local body shop. Your Insurance agent should be able to recommend a good one

 

[Mlarv]

My dealer has a body shop, and does a great job. They replaced the passenger side of my truck bed on my 2016 F150.

As stated check with your insurance company to see what they recommend.

As for the shop doing a bunch extra, that is between you and the shop. I know I could get the dealer to do it for me, if the cost wasn't much different. If there is a lot more work and cost they might not.

Your best bet is talk to them when you bring in for appraisal. Find the shop that does the best work in your opinion, and will work with you.

 

[Bluovlfan]

The only thing I would have to say about a local body shop is any possible limitations.

My damage was a little different as it involved electrical in the front corner, but they had a heck of a time calibrating my camera and headlights. They aren't inexperienced as they've been highly reviewed for 30+ yrs, but it's going back a third time because the one headlight will occasionally stay on after parking/locking vehicle.

Not sure if a Ford dealer would be better equipped to do this type of programming but I've wondered.

 

[M_Bronco]

My dealer has a body shop, and does a great job. They replaced the passenger side of my truck bed on my 2016 F150.

As stated check with your insurance company to see what they recommend.

As for the shop doing a bunch extra, that is between you and the shop. I know I could get the dealer to do it for me, if the cost wasn't much different. If there is a lot more work and cost they might not.

Your best bet is talk to them when you bring in for appraisal. Find the shop that does the best work in your opinion, and will work with you.

Thank you for the advice I’m going to check with the dealership before they start working on it.

 

[M_Bronco]

The only thing I would have to say about a local body shop is any possible limitations.

My damage was a little different as it involved electrical in the front corner, but they had a heck of a time calibrating my camera and headlights. They aren't inexperienced as they've been highly reviewed for 30+ yrs, but it's going back a third time because the one headlight will occasionally stay on after parking/locking vehicle.

Not sure if a Ford dealer would be better equipped to do this type of programming but I've wondered.

thank you for the reply. That’s what I’m worried about since it’s not only body work I want to fix it one and done. I think I’m going to fix it at the dealership and hopefully I’ll be able to replace the rear bumper with and aftermarket one.

 

[Bluovlfan]

thank you for the reply. That’s what I’m worried about since it’s not only body work I want to fix it one and done. I think I’m going to fix it at the dealership and hopefully I’ll be able to replace the rear bumper with and aftermarket one.

If its through an insurance claim I wouldn't see why a dealer couldn't submit an appearance allowance. I ended up getting an aftermarket front bumper delivered to the shop for install. Ended up being $500 less than the OEM modular. Crazy how much factory parts are, one headlight was $1600

 

[M_Bronco]

If its through an insurance claim I wouldn't see why a dealer couldn't submit an appearance allowance. I ended up getting an aftermarket front bumper delivered to the shop for install. Ended up being $500 less than the OEM modular. Crazy how much factory parts are, one headlight was $1600

That’s what’s in mind instead of an oem bumper I’ll get a steel one. I’m going to check with them if I can do that.

 

[bikesandguitars]

I’ve used my Toyota dealer‘s in-house body shop to fix my LX LandCruiser and I’ve used independent shops for the same vehicle. I‘ve also used the same dealer on my Tundra.

Honestly, there is no advantage going with the dealer. They all source the exact same parts, work with the same budget and hire the same caliber of repair person. The only difference is the dealer is likely $10-$20 more per hour for labor.

The dealer isn’t going to get anything special from Toyota that an independent can’t get. Most aftermarket parts are sourced from a third party.

The last time I was at the dealer’s body shop, they had to replace the after market rock slider among other things. When they called me to pick it up, they had forgotten to replace the rock slider and a rear door threshold. They had both of them in the shop (I picked it up the next day). They simply forgot.

I haven’t gone back to the dealer. I have gone back to my independent shop.

 

[M_Bronco]

I’ve used my Toyota dealer‘s in-house body shop to fix my LX LandCruiser and I’ve used independent shops for the same vehicle. I‘ve also used the same dealer on my Tundra.

Honestly, there is no advantage going with the dealer. They all source the exact same parts, work with the same budget and hire the same caliber of repair person. The only difference is the dealer is likely $10-$20 more per hour for labor.

The dealer isn’t going to get anything special from Toyota that an independent can’t get. Most aftermarket parts are sourced from a third party.

The last time I was at the dealer’s body shop, they had to replace the after market rock slider among other things. When they called me to pick it up, they had forgotten to replace the rock slider and a rear door threshold. They had both of them in the shop (I picked it up the next day). They simply forgot.

I haven’t gone back to the dealer. I have gone back to my independent shop.

My concern is that I have some mechanical issues. From what I can see I think the rear axle is bent w some other things . I would rather do it at the dealership only downside is if they would let upgrade the rear bumper or limit me to using oem.

 

[bikesandguitars]

The only thing I would have to say about a local body shop is any possible limitations.

My damage was a little different as it involved electrical in the front corner, but they had a heck of a time calibrating my camera and headlights. They aren't inexperienced as they've been highly reviewed for 30+ yrs, but it's going back a third time because the one headlight will occasionally stay on after parking/locking vehicle.

Not sure if a Ford dealer would be better equipped to do this type of programming but I've wondered.

Calibration isn’t a new thing or exclusive to dealers. There are lots of independent, mobile vendors who work with body shops to calibrate windshields, cameras, lights, etc., And, larger body shops likely have the equipment. My wife’s Venza (with the cool, gas operated opaque sunroof) needed her rain sensor calibrated on the windshield. Our local shop has a mobile service that comes in regularly to do that work. It worked exactly as new when we picked it up.

 

[bikesandguitars]

My concern is that I have some mechanical issues. From what I can see I think the rear axle is bent w some other things . I would rather do it at the dealership only downside is if they would let upgrade the rear bumper or limit me to using oem.

I think you’ve already made up your mind on dealer vs independent. No need to discuss further. Best of luck with the repairs!

 

[mcinfantry]

Many people are leery of using a network shop. The advantage as i see it is that no matter where you are or move they warranty the reapir for the lifetime you own it…. And ive seen some terrible repairs…

 

[BlueWaffle]

Oof... good luck whichever route you take. There are ranger folks who have been waiting 6+ months for an axle..

With as far back as that one side is... I wonder how straight the frame/brackets are.

 

[da_jokker]

Don't let the installation of a rear bumper make your decision. Installing you your own bumper is not difficult and if worse comes to worse, You can get someone to install it afterwards for probably cheaper than what you would be paying the dealer.

Focus on getting your vehicle repaired the right way, with the right parts, possibly loners during the meantime? You worry about the rear bumper as a side note but not a deal breaker.

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