Following recent hail damage my car has been assessed as requiring a new roof and bonnet. I can dents but can't differentiate what can be repair without replacing panels from my limited knowledge. A couple of friends have said that it is unsafe to replace the roof from a structure and stability perspective (it is a Mazda CX 5). I don't have choice of repairer with my insurer and they won't write off as the repair cost estimate is under $10k and car value is close to $30k. What does everyone think and what are my options?
Hail Damaged Car - Is Replacing Roof Safe?
Navigator on 12/05/2017 - 06:09
Comments
Ask for a copy of the estimate including parts
you might find it is just the skins or external panels without any damage to the cell structure
Don't be afraid to ask the repairers straight out is there structural damage to the columns that require repairing re- shaped welded to increase support structure.
if your not sure i'm sure you could obtain some piece of mind from the states independent car body who could give you some details on what questions you need to ask
(http://www.aaa.asn.au) these guys are the top level oversee the whole country but they have the links to each state
at the end of the day its your car and you need to be happy with the repairs.
Hail damage isn't going to cause structural damage, it is just cosmetic.
How do you think they build the car? They weld panels together. If the repairer can buy a new roof panel, it can be welded back to the frame just like in the factory.
I would rather they welded in a new roof than to putty up the holes and paint it.
i'm afraid your wrong they can and did we had hundreds of cars written off in WA after this ridiculous storm cars getting pelted with cricket ball size hail a couple of years ago
Also if you read my comment properly i said that she would find it's more than likely just skins i was just saying what she could do for piece of mind
Just because there were hundreds of cars written off with hail damage doesn't mean it was structural damage. It just means the damage was too expensive to repair. Bonnet, boot and front guards are easy to repair, unbolt, repaint new, rebolt. Other stuff requires cutting out then welding in new panels and it doesn't take long to rack up a bill big enough to write off a car that is a few years old.
In the OPs case a new roof skin would not be considered structural damage and a $10k bill most likely wouldn't allow for major rebuilding of the car
@Euphemistic: please read before re-ranting
one of my colleagues at work could show you pictures that dispute your lack of facts
And i still agree it will be panel replacement at worst as stated you just seem to keep skipping over that part
@Toons: And don't carry on about structural damage whilst agreeing it will be panel damage "at worst"
@Euphemistic: FFS OP sounded worried about structural damage if you read that at all too
OP "A couple of friends have said that it is unsafe to replace the roof from a structure and stability perspective"
me —you might find it is just the skins or external panels without any damage to the cell structure—
Don't be afraid to ask the repairers straight out is there structural damage to the columns that require repairing re- shaped welded to increase support structure.
all i said is don't be afraid to ask if she is concerned
What is your problem
@Euphemistic: who is your NOK they need to unplug you just rest the fight's not worth it when you're wrong
My car had a wood light pole blow onto and lean on my roof side bars.. Put a good 2 inch deep dent on my roof. They just cut off and rewelded a new roof onto the car. Was a vx commodore.
I asked the repairers about it, because I though that it was structural damage and couldn't be repaired. He said something along the lines off, modern repair techniques are good enough that if they can weld a roof on when manufacturing the car, they can weld ones on for repairs.
Ok some techno facts. The 'Roof' is not just a roof. The bonnet is also not just a bonnet, but two or more pieces of metal framing and a skin (the outer shiny bit you see) all welded together, making a 'bonnet' Reasonably inexpensive to replace as only held in place with bolts, and is mass produced for it is one of the most frequently damaged body components so priced accordingly for the masses.
The roof, is similar, many pieces of metal framing and bracing, plus a skin. The roof skin is what is being replaced from hail damage(most of the time), and is spot welded in place, glued along all the seams for rigidity and weather proofing, treated, and painted. It is not much more than a skin graft on your arm for eg, but not replacing your whole arm. The whole car is assembled in a similar fashion, so the term 'replace the roof' is actually very wrong from a technical point of view. In layman's terms maybe, but not in real life. Rarely the turret maybe replaced, if enough damage warrants it cost wise, but as stated, rarely. The roof skin or a turret assembly can be supplied as a replacement part.
If you were to say roll your car, then the whole roof (turret)assembly will be replaced. This includes, the skin(outer shiny flat bit)and or including the frame(rectangle bit around the roof and the top 100mm of uprights. Although sometimes it may also include the uprights(pillars) from body waistline level upwards as well.
Body repairs are performed to a standard in reputable workshops and as the roof assembly and pillars are considered structural, there are laws covering these repairs, methods and inspections including quality control.
You have nothing to fear. Now, remember, hail damage is just minor denting, not structural except your windscreen. Many folk never repair hail damage, too costly for them, but perfectly safe to drive.
Any damage to the bonut?
"Following recent hail damage my car has been assessed as requiring a new roof and bonnet".
Disappointed it took so long for this to be pulled out.
Sorry, I was sh!tposting elsewhere
They won't replace the whole roof, just some panels.
They did the same on my Mazda2 and a couple of years later it's still fine. They cover the repairs with a warranty anyway.