Any advice for a friend?

[Kwarner]

One of my friends got in an accident recently and is worried about some frame damage he got. I'm not to familiar with the process either and he would appreciate the help. Only posting here because I KNOW more people will respond than on the TSX forums.

Look Here

[A4Dit]

Tell him that that is part of the unibody not the frame. Most cars do not have a "frame". They have a unibody that most parts bolt up to and then a subframe up front where the engine sits. They will most likely cut that section out and replace it as that area has been structurally compromised so pulling it out wouldn't be an option. I'm not an insurance adjuster so I can't give a quote not to mention that all shops charge different rates. I would say, however, that $1900 seems a bit low.

[Kwarner]

Well the shady insurance ho quoted the $1900 without that damage, trying to act like it wasn't there so he still needs to get it re-quoted. Would cutting and replacing the section return the structural integrity to normal condition or will it never be the same again?

[A4Dit]

Thats a good question that is often wrongly answered. While the value may not be the same due to the stigma surrounding cars that have been in accidents the same does not apply to safety issues. Most of the times a car can be stronger after being repaired by a body shop. Reason being is that once this section is cut out and replaced a body shop willl often weld the new piece in with a solid weld spanning the entire connection point. This is not the way it comes from the manufacturer. Auto builders use spot welds to butt pieces together because it is cheaper and uses less material. They will then cover the weld points with seamsealer so you would never even know the difference. A solid weld is much stronger than spot welds.

[Kwarner]

Thank you that is pretty much the most important thing he was curious about.