Mr. Maker's Collision Thread
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From: Southeast, Va
Mr. Maker's Collision Thread
As some of you may know, I work for Hendrick Automotive Group. I am the parts manager for 4 independent collision centers Mr. Hendrick has located here in southern Virginia. I've been meaning, for a long time, to create a thread to show the process in which cars are repaired. I Hope to update the thread regularly with jobs from start to finish. I can also answer any questions you all have.
Our newest location. Where my office is located.
1204131153 by The Mr. Maker, on Flickr
Here is an Odyssey we did a while back. Major front end damage. Both frame rail ends bent. Whole front end replacement. Bumper, absorber, reinforcement, radiator support, rails, upper rails etc. This is where I started to document the repair.
Odysseus build by The Mr. Maker, on Flickr
Odysseus build by The Mr. Maker, on Flickr
Upper rail majorly pushed back.
Odysseus build by The Mr. Maker, on Flickr
Frame rails.
Odysseus build by The Mr. Maker, on Flickr
Odysseus build by The Mr. Maker, on Flickr
We are replacing the the rails back to the firewall.
Odysseus build by The Mr. Maker, on Flickr
Odysseus build by The Mr. Maker, on Flickr
Odysseus build by The Mr. Maker, on Flickr
Engine stuff.
Odysseus build by The Mr. Maker, on Flickr
Odysseus build by The Mr. Maker, on Flickr
Getting the upper rail and frame rails in place.
Odysseus build by The Mr. Maker, on Flickr
Odysseus build by The Mr. Maker, on Flickr
Odysseus build by The Mr. Maker, on Flickr
Here you see the overhead arm on the frame bench. It gives the specifications for whatever vehicle you're working on. Measures down to the mil. General rule of thumb is 3,2,1. Which means; The height must measure within 3 mil of specs, width 2 mil, and depth 1 mil to meet requirements.
Odysseus build by The Mr. Maker, on Flickr
The arm sends the readings to the computer.
Odysseus build by The Mr. Maker, on Flickr
Then, a lot of welding.
Odysseus build by The Mr. Maker, on Flickr
Seam sealer just like when it left the factory.
Odysseus build by The Mr. Maker, on Flickr
Primer all the welds.
Odysseus build by The Mr. Maker, on Flickr
Odysseus build by The Mr. Maker, on Flickr
Front end primed.
Odysseus build by The Mr. Maker, on Flickr
Painted.
Odysseus build by The Mr. Maker, on Flickr
Odysseus build by The Mr. Maker, on Flickr
Motor going home.
Odysseus build by The Mr. Maker, on Flickr
Odysseus build by The Mr. Maker, on Flickr
Odysseus build by The Mr. Maker, on Flickr
Bottoms up!
Odysseus build by The Mr. Maker, on Flickr
Fenders on and cut in. Meaning the backside gets painted first.
Odysseus build by The Mr. Maker, on Flickr
Turns out the the engine had a crack in the block after it was all put back in.
Fluid begin leaking. So we had to pull it back out and get a used one.
Odysseus build by The Mr. Maker, on Flickr
Used motor in. Off to paint.
Odysseus build by The Mr. Maker, on Flickr
Odysseus build by The Mr. Maker, on Flickr
Odysseus build by The Mr. Maker, on Flickr
Brand new again!
Odysseus build by The Mr. Maker, on Flickr
0522141557a by The Mr. Maker, on Flickr
I hope guys enjoy the effort. A lot of car enthusiast don't get to see what happens behind the lines.
Our newest location. Where my office is located.
1204131153 by The Mr. Maker, on FlickrHere is an Odyssey we did a while back. Major front end damage. Both frame rail ends bent. Whole front end replacement. Bumper, absorber, reinforcement, radiator support, rails, upper rails etc. This is where I started to document the repair.
Odysseus build by The Mr. Maker, on FlickrOdysseus build by The Mr. Maker, on FlickrUpper rail majorly pushed back.
Odysseus build by The Mr. Maker, on FlickrFrame rails.
Odysseus build by The Mr. Maker, on FlickrOdysseus build by The Mr. Maker, on FlickrWe are replacing the the rails back to the firewall.
Odysseus build by The Mr. Maker, on FlickrOdysseus build by The Mr. Maker, on FlickrOdysseus build by The Mr. Maker, on FlickrEngine stuff.
Odysseus build by The Mr. Maker, on FlickrOdysseus build by The Mr. Maker, on FlickrGetting the upper rail and frame rails in place.
Odysseus build by The Mr. Maker, on FlickrOdysseus build by The Mr. Maker, on FlickrOdysseus build by The Mr. Maker, on FlickrHere you see the overhead arm on the frame bench. It gives the specifications for whatever vehicle you're working on. Measures down to the mil. General rule of thumb is 3,2,1. Which means; The height must measure within 3 mil of specs, width 2 mil, and depth 1 mil to meet requirements.
Odysseus build by The Mr. Maker, on FlickrThe arm sends the readings to the computer.
Odysseus build by The Mr. Maker, on FlickrThen, a lot of welding.
Odysseus build by The Mr. Maker, on FlickrSeam sealer just like when it left the factory.
Odysseus build by The Mr. Maker, on FlickrPrimer all the welds.
Odysseus build by The Mr. Maker, on FlickrOdysseus build by The Mr. Maker, on FlickrFront end primed.
Odysseus build by The Mr. Maker, on FlickrPainted.
Odysseus build by The Mr. Maker, on FlickrOdysseus build by The Mr. Maker, on FlickrMotor going home.
Odysseus build by The Mr. Maker, on FlickrOdysseus build by The Mr. Maker, on FlickrOdysseus build by The Mr. Maker, on FlickrBottoms up!
Odysseus build by The Mr. Maker, on FlickrFenders on and cut in. Meaning the backside gets painted first.
Odysseus build by The Mr. Maker, on FlickrTurns out the the engine had a crack in the block after it was all put back in.
Fluid begin leaking. So we had to pull it back out and get a used one.Odysseus build by The Mr. Maker, on FlickrUsed motor in. Off to paint.
Odysseus build by The Mr. Maker, on FlickrOdysseus build by The Mr. Maker, on FlickrOdysseus build by The Mr. Maker, on FlickrBrand new again!
Odysseus build by The Mr. Maker, on Flickr0522141557a by The Mr. Maker, on FlickrI hope guys enjoy the effort. A lot of car enthusiast don't get to see what happens behind the lines.
Last edited by Mr. Maker; Sep 11, 2014 at 03:00 PM.
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Stay Out Of the Left Lane
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From: SE Mass --- > Central VA --- > SE Mass
Very interesting. Thanks for sharing and of course sub'd for future updates. 
Question - how does it play out if the cracked engine block pushes the repair beyond the 70% threshold. Looks like there was a fair amount of parts and labor already into the Ody.
Question - how does it play out if the cracked engine block pushes the repair beyond the 70% threshold. Looks like there was a fair amount of parts and labor already into the Ody.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 23,362
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From: Los Angeles
quick questions.
How do you determine what kind of used motor (same car) to put it on there?
I mean does it have to be the same year/mileage/condition as the original one or it is whatever you guys can get?
How do you determine what kind of used motor (same car) to put it on there?
I mean does it have to be the same year/mileage/condition as the original one or it is whatever you guys can get?
Senior Moderator
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 22,909
Likes: 388
From: OR
I would say it highly depends on how far they are into and how much they have spent on the repair. Sometimes the insurance company has to take it up the wazoo.
Mr. Makers Boss: Say, why are you surfing the internet at work?
Mr. Maker: Sorry, it's this damn Acurazine. So additive.
Mr. Makers Boss: Acura what? Lemme see...
Mr. Maker: So it's a automotive message board (and blah, ba, blah, blah blah)
[5 minutes later...]
Mr. Makers Boss: I should fire you for surfing the interwebz when you should be working, but I tell you what... If you create a post that promotes the shop then you can keep your job.
Mr. Maker: DEAL!
[Maker creates excellent post and shows boss]
Mr. Makers Boss: Good job! You are useful afterall.
Mr. Maker: Thanks boss!
[Now Mr. Maker can go on Acurazine all he wants when at work. WINNING!]
The End.
P.S. I didn't know that shops still did that kind of work. I thought they all just removed and replaced. Good stuff.
Mr. Maker: Sorry, it's this damn Acurazine. So additive.
Mr. Makers Boss: Acura what? Lemme see...
Mr. Maker: So it's a automotive message board (and blah, ba, blah, blah blah)
[5 minutes later...]
Mr. Makers Boss: I should fire you for surfing the interwebz when you should be working, but I tell you what... If you create a post that promotes the shop then you can keep your job.
Mr. Maker: DEAL!
[Maker creates excellent post and shows boss]
Mr. Makers Boss: Good job! You are useful afterall.
Mr. Maker: Thanks boss!
[Now Mr. Maker can go on Acurazine all he wants when at work. WINNING!]
The End.
P.S. I didn't know that shops still did that kind of work. I thought they all just removed and replaced. Good stuff.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
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Why don't you have a seat over here...
0905141520 by The Mr. Maker, on Flickr
Last edited by Mr. Maker; Sep 12, 2014 at 08:07 AM.
Living the Dream
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From: near Charlotte
Small world. I brought my TSX to a Hendrick Collision Center in Concord, NC for hail damage (fixed) and after my accident (totaled).
I like the way Hendrick facilities are run, I bought my TSX from Hendrick Acura and will likely purchase a VW from a Hendrick VW dealership.
Can you hook my up with an employee discount?
I like the way Hendrick facilities are run, I bought my TSX from Hendrick Acura and will likely purchase a VW from a Hendrick VW dealership.
Can you hook my up with an employee discount?
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Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 81,385
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From: Appleton WI
Awesome. Its nice to see some behind the scenes pics to show those that all they can say is "it will never be the same" or that "metal that is bent is weaker and i dont trust repairs" to show whats actually involved
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A little more back ground on me. I've been in my current position for 5-6 years. However, I've been around the car business my whole life. My dad has been in the game for 35 years. He is the manager of the Hendrick Chevrolet dealership here in Norfolk as well as the Hendrick Cadillac dealership. The Chevy store has one of the biggest and well stock parts departments on the east coast. I grew up playing hide and go seek there. My dad has pictures of him chilling with Dale Sr. as well as many other drivers. He has waved checkered flags and driven pace cars for races. I hope I can accomplish half of what he has. I started off delivering parts in my early 20s. Then I began an apprenticeship learning body repair. I worked as a body tech for a few years before given the opportunity to learn the part side of things.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
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Exactly. There is so much more involved and strict guidelines to a proper repair. You get popped on a re-inspect and you're fucked.
