ESTIMATING TIPS CCC/MOTOR: 2016 Chevy Equinox Front Impact Bar Replacement – DEG Inquiry 19313 addresses the replacement time for a front impact bar assembly on a 2016 Chevy Equinox. The original time of 1.0 hours was only for drilling out the factory spot welds and did not include welding the replacement impact bar extension brackets supplied with the reinforcement assembly. The DEG provided end-user feedback to the manufacturer, resulting in a new OEM repair procedure documenting the additional steps. The new OEM documentation resulted in an updated replacement time of 1.5 hours body labor, and an additional 0.4 hours of refinish labor for the welded brackets. CCC/MOTOR: Sprinter/Promaster Van Side Panel Caulking Precision Masking for Refinish – DEG Inquiry 19443 states, “Precision masking of the caulk line to retain the OE caulk appearance would be considered Not Included.” An example of this repair scenario is when a repairer is not going to refinish adjacent panels of the side panel where factory caulk is applied.
Audatex: Multiple Booth Cycles Beyond 2.5 Clear Coat Cap – DEG Inquiry 19459 states, “Per Audatex refinish guidelines clear coat application is only included once in a continuous procedure. Any additional clear coat due to multiple spray sessions would be an estimator judgment item. No change warranted this time.” An example of this situation is when multiple booth cycles may be needed and the first booth cycle caps at the 2.5 clear coat application. Manual adjustments may be needed to account for the parts being painted in the second booth cycle beyond the 2.5 clear coat cap. CCC/MOTOR: Check Rear Wheel Alignment – CCC users may find some vehicle chapters under rear suspension group additional operations, “Check rear alignment” for .5. DEG Inquiry 19529 response states “Check rear alignment includes wheelbase measurement from one side to the other to verify correct location of non-adjustable rear suspension by point-to-point measurement. All other operations listed in the GTE would be included with a 2-wheel alignment. "This is just a measurement using a tape measure or string as described below and no alignment machine."
Note: The estimating databases are all intended to be used as a GUIDE ONLY - it is important to remember that the auto body professional performing the repair is in a position to thoroughly inspect, diagnose and identify the methodology and their unique cost of the vehicle damage repair. You can view these tips and others on the DEG website, DEGWEB.ORG.
10 | March 2022
AASP-MN News
