Body Shop Results and Picture Request (1 Viewer)

[TomH]

My wife recently crashed the Land Cruiser and I went to the body shop today to pick it up. Boy was I disappointed. I ended up leaving the truck there so they could try again.


The cowl panel was touching the fender and was raised about 1/8 inch above the fender. I believe it is supposed to be flush with the fender and have a small gap between the fender and the cowl.

The color on the cowl was clearly different than the new fender and the hood. They told me they didn't blend the paint on the cowl, just the hood. I believed them.

PICTURE REQUEST. The gap between the hood and the cowl was about 1/4 inch and the screws that attach the cowl were clearly visible (one screw was missing). The gap is consistent all the way across. I don't recall if the gap was that big before the accident but I doubt it. It seems like the hood should back a little so the gap is smaller and the screws are not visible. I don't believe the body shop removed the hood or the cowl. If I could get a few of you to take a picture of that gap so I have a reference, that would be great. I'm wondering if the frame straightening had an affect on this. Any ideas?

The fender flare was not tight against the fender on the lower rear. I could see air between the fender and the flare gasket.

The inner fender well and the section of the radiator support (for lack of a better description) from the fender well to the radiator were replaced. They painted these pieces the same color as the body. Unfortunatley this is not the same color as the rest of the engine compartment. I opened the hood and here is this completely different color from the radiator all the way around to the fire wall. My truck is the two-tone and it looks like the engine compartment may be the darker color and they painted it the lighter color. I can't imagine anyone thinking this would be acceptable.

The steering wasn't fixed. In my original post, RavenTai suggested some possible problems with the steering which I relayed to both the insurance adjuster and the body shop. The insurance adjuster added an alignment to the estimate and the body shop subbed this work out to the local Les Schwab tire. I assume they took it in and told them it needed an alignment, and that is what was done. When I went to pick the car up, it was the body shop that alerted me to the problem. The guy told me that the steering wheel would turn one full revolution to the left and two revolutions to the right and asked if that is how it was originally. Yeah - I've always been able to make really sharp right turns but those left turns have always taken a while to get around.

I was pretty disappointed with the results - to say the least. Body shop said they would contact the adjuster and give me a call next week. What a pain.....

At least the ARB bull bar looked good.

 

[cabron]

Sorry about your luck man, although I dont have an 80 to take pics for you, DON'T take the car until you are completely satisfied. What kind of shop is this? Toyota? Independant? Specialized in domestics/imports? Did you see any of there finished work before using them? Just have patience and make sure you get exactly what you want before driving it away. It's your right to have it fixed and blended right.

 

[DaveyBoy]

Sounds like they cut some corners.
Don't accept it until you're satisfied.
I'll take some pics and post the momentarily.

 

[DaveyBoy]

Pics

Here are a couple of pics of the cowl/hood.
You can see the screw a bit if you look at the right angle.
On mine, the gap is probably 1/4 inch.
Hope these help.

 

[PHAEDRUS]

Tom,
If you could post up the description of what they did do to the truck that would help. the body issues are pretty common, If you bitch to the insurance adjuster they will likely allow for the blend to cowl or at least some buff time on the cowl to get the luster to match. at this point it might be the color but more than likely it is the luster of the clear.
as to the steering. Did they replace the relay rod?? the pitman arm?? look very closely at where the pitman arm attaches to the steering gear box. look closely at the splines on the output on the steering shaft, if the splines are not true it will cause thsi issue, either that or the gear box might have jumped a tooth.
My cell is different now but give me a call on my new work cell next week. 801-243-3331/
Dave

 

[LandyLover]

Paint fades over time, and if they take the paint code it will not match because the rest of the truck is faded. When I took in my 60 for a repair I insisted they use the photo technology (dont know what its called) so they can do a true color match...


CHeers.

 

[Cruisin'Carolina]

This does not sound good.

I would meet the adjuster at the shop, and make a case to have it moved elsewhere....

Is this shop a "friend"....or a preferred body shop of your insurance co?

I'm just not all that sure I'd give those monkeys another crack at my truck.

 

[TomH]

What kind of shop is this? Toyota? Independant? Specialized in domestics/imports? Did you see any of there finished work before using them?

The body shop was recommended by the insurance adjuster. He told me they (the insurance company) would guarantee the work from this shop but not from any other shop. I get the impression the insurance adjuster and the owner of the body shop are pretty good friends.

Daveyboy: Thanks for the pictures - the gap looks about the same as mine.

Dave: Thanks for the input and you cell number. I'll definately give you a call Monday morning before I call the insurance adjuster.

I think the thing that upsets me the most is that they tried to pass this on to me as being right. I understand the color difference in the cowl will become less noticeable over time but the fact that the panels don't even line up correctly isn't good.

While we were looking at the truck, the body shop guy noticed a big chip of paint missing from the cowl and concluded it was damaged also. I suspect he will ask the adjuster to replace the cowl. Then he will re-align the panels and paint so it all matches.

The two different colors under the hood was just wrong. I can't imagine anybody accepting that (except maybe my wife or someone like that who really doesn't know any better). I can't imagine a body shop trying to pass that off as right.

As for the steering, they had a good idea it was wrong when they tried to give me the truck. They're the ones who pointed it out although I was going to check it myself anyway. I know the steering will eventually get fixed correctly. I tried to convince them since the beginning that there was more damage than just the alignment but... In defense of the body shop, they did sub that work out and probably expected any additional damage to be found.

Here is the original estimate from the adjuster. A couple things added were the frame straightening and the inner fender well.

 

[syrinxstar]

Don't let them replace just one tire. Your tires should be in the same state of wear on the axle (unless the other is near-new).

 

[Cruisin'Carolina]

Do you live in a small area? If so, the adjuster if forced to use that shop probably works with that guy all the time...

Something just doesn't feel right about this...

The company I work for has preferred shops.......9 of them in a town of 50-75K

Is there something in writing that says this was the only place you could take it to?

And if I may ask, what is the co?

 

[TomH]

Don't let them replace just one tire. Your tires should be in the same state of wear on the axle (unless the other is near-new).

Already handled that. Got credit for the bumper parts and tire and picked up an ARB bull bar and will get new set of tires as soon as they finish the work.

Do you live in a small area? If so, the adjuster if forced to use that shop probably works with that guy all the time...

Something just doesn't feel right about this...

The company I work for has preferred shops.......9 of them in a town of 50-75K

Is there something in writing that says this was the only place you could take it to?

And if I may ask, what is the co?

I live in Seattle so definately not a small area. The insurance company is AIG. The adjuster did not say this was the only body shop they do business with he just recommended this particular one. As I mentioned above, I think the adjuster and owner of the body shop are good friends. I didn't ask about other preferred shops for AIG I just took it on faith that the recommended shop would do a good job. That may not have been a good decision.

I'm really not sure the best way to handle this situation. I'm going to talk to everyone involved Monday and see what happens. Most likely I will give them a chance to make it right - which, again, may not be the best decision.

Tom

 

[cabron]

It doest hurt to give them one more chance to make it right. After that I would be weighing my options...

 

[Cruisin'Carolina]

No, talking it out sounds like a good plan. I did not mean to cause you any alarm, it was just that I can understand 1 thing wrong, but it sounds like they have a lot of work to redo....

 

[TomH]

No, talking it out sounds like a good plan. I did not mean to cause you any alarm, it was just that I can understand 1 thing wrong, but it sounds like they have a lot of work to redo....

Don't worry, you didn't cause me any alarm. I'm happy to get opinions on a course of action. I don't think anybody likes to be in a situation like this and any advice can be helpful.

 

[PHAEDRUS]

Body repair is not a perfect business, I would give the shop one more chance to get it right then move up the insurance adjuster food chain. as far as the steering and such goes if possibel request that they take the vehicle to Foster Frame and axle. they are in west seattle and are pretty much the best frame and alignment shop in the Seattle area. If there is an issue they will find it.
Give me a call.
Dave

 

[TomH]

Picked up the LC Friday afternoon. It had just come back from the frame and axle shop with a new pitman arm and a rebuilt steering box. I immediately went to Discount Tire and had a new set of Revos installed ($830 out the door with certs. They only had four though so I still need to pick up another.)

The steering is noticeably stiffer. It takes a little more effort to turn the wheel. I assume this is normal with a new (rebuilt) steering box.

The problems with the body work haven't been fixed yet. Since I am leaving for Japan Thursday and will be gone almost a month, I didn't think it was right to ask the body shop to store the truck the whole time I'm gone. I'll drop the truck off when I return and I'm confident I'll be a lot happier then next time I pick it up. The body shop has actually been really good to work with.

Since I have the truck now, I snapped a couple pictures of the color difference under the hood.

Tom

 

[Rich]

...The steering is noticeably stiffer. It takes a little more effort to turn the wheel. I assume this is normal with a new (rebuilt) steering box...

There is an adjustment that determines how tight the steering box is.

Too loose and the steering would be sloppy. Too tight I expect would result in quicker wear.

I certainly can't say if yours was previously too loose or if it is now too tight.

I would trying comparing to another cruiser, and if there is a noticable difference then look up the adjustment procedure in the factory service manual and go from there.

 

[TomH]

Thanks Rich. I'll have to get the FSM out and read up on steering box adjustment. I'd like to think the shop got it right, but I guess you never know.

 

[LCphil]

My wife recently crashed the Land Cruiser and I went to the body shop today to pick it up. Boy was I disappointed. I ended up leaving the truck there so they could try again.


The cowl panel was touching the fender and was raised about 1/8 inch above the fender. I believe it is supposed to be flush with the fender and have a small gap between the fender and the cowl.

The color on the cowl was clearly different than the new fender and the hood. They told me they didn't blend the paint on the cowl, just the hood. I believed them.

PICTURE REQUEST. The gap between the hood and the cowl was about 1/4 inch and the screws that attach the cowl were clearly visible (one screw was missing). The gap is consistent all the way across. I don't recall if the gap was that big before the accident but I doubt it. It seems like the hood should back a little so the gap is smaller and the screws are not visible. I don't believe the body shop removed the hood or the cowl. If I could get a few of you to take a picture of that gap so I have a reference, that would be great. I'm wondering if the frame straightening had an affect on this. Any ideas?

The fender flare was not tight against the fender on the lower rear. I could see air between the fender and the flare gasket.

The inner fender well and the section of the radiator support (for lack of a better description) from the fender well to the radiator were replaced. They painted these pieces the same color as the body. Unfortunatley this is not the same color as the rest of the engine compartment. I opened the hood and here is this completely different color from the radiator all the way around to the fire wall. My truck is the two-tone and it looks like the engine compartment may be the darker color and they painted it the lighter color. I can't imagine anyone thinking this would be acceptable.

The steering wasn't fixed. In my original post, RavenTai suggested some possible problems with the steering which I relayed to both the insurance adjuster and the body shop. The insurance adjuster added an alignment to the estimate and the body shop subbed this work out to the local Les Schwab tire. I assume they took it in and told them it needed an alignment, and that is what was done. When I went to pick the car up, it was the body shop that alerted me to the problem. The guy told me that the steering wheel would turn one full revolution to the left and two revolutions to the right and asked if that is how it was originally. Yeah - I've always been able to make really sharp right turns but those left turns have always taken a while to get around.

I was pretty disappointed with the results - to say the least. Body shop said they would contact the adjuster and give me a call next week. What a pain.....

At least the ARB bull bar looked good.

I don't know Seattle but I had a nightmare experience with a body shop that took a perfectly good truck in original condition and absolutely ruined it. Body work can't be asily recified without starting ffom scratch - I know you know. Take the truck out of that shop tell your insurance company that their work was sub any standard and it needs to fixed properly not just fixed so it hangs together more or less. Find a really good reputable restoration shop and have them do it, otherwise you're in for a future of heartache. My truck's paint faded a day after I got it back, missing parts, missing badges, who knows what else. Don't pay the first shop a cent.

That's my advice. They obviously don't know what they're doing.

 

[Darwood]

Thanks Rich. I'll have to get the FSM out and read up on steering box adjustment. I'd like to think the shop got it right, but I guess you never know.

If the steering doesn't bind, or if the the wheel centers then I would say the box is fine and I wouldn't risk playing with it. If it's over tightened then it could damage the box, and if it's over loosened it will make the steering have a huge deadzone. Now if it doesn't center or if it binds then it definitely is too tight. Was the rebuild a rebuild of your old box?