How Front-End Collision Repairs Are Changing

By Ross Whiteley | April 18, 2024

Front-end collisions are among the most common accidents, and as modern vehicles become increasingly complex, repair procedures are changing quickly. Not long ago, these repairs were familiar territory for professional technicians. A new bumper cover, headlights, a panel or two, and straightening the frame would usually cover all the bases for many front-end collisions.

These days, performing front-end repairs is more challenging due to advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), advanced materials, and other technological innovations. Repair technicians still diagnose and address typical suspension, frame, headlight and windshield damage. However, the repair procedures now demand more time, access to the latest OEM repair information, and a willingness to adapt skill sets. Like any collision damage, the repair process begins with assessing the damage.

Assessing Front-End Collision Damage

While front-end collisions obviously impact the front bumper the most, they can result in visible and unseen damage. Bent wheels, damaged side panels and broken headlights are par for the course, but only professional assessments and diagnostics can reveal the full extent of hidden frame and body damage.

Misalignment, frame damage and broken windshields will be typical front-end repairs, but the numerous components and complex wiring that comprise ADAS add a modern twist. ADAS is a complex system that relies on various components working together seamlessly to enhance driver safety and assist in avoiding collisions. These safety systems include sensors, cameras, radars and control units that offer features like automatic braking, blind spot detection and lane departure warnings.

ADAS is integrated into many vehicle components, from bumpers and windshields to real-view mirrors. Therefore, having the most up-to-date OEM repair information for ADAS repairs should be an essential tool in your auto body shop.

Compromised Suspension and Alignment

A front-end vehicle collision often damages the suspension system, especially with independent suspension. An accident can break or warp the suspension system, resulting in misalignment and other issues. Along with suspension, brake and steering components, repair technicians must diagnose, repair and recalibrate the ADAS sensors to get vehicles safely back on the road.

Technicians will find that ADAS-equipped vehicles have tighter specs for alignment and other repairs. It’s essential to understand that ADAS systems like lane pre-braking and autonomous driving features can disable the suspension and steering systems if they aren’t recalibrated correctly.

Frame Damage

The traditional assessment of frame damage often won’t be enough to identify damage to the lighter, more advanced materials. These advanced frame materials require specific diagnostics and testing to identify the damage.

Technicians must have the latest repair information to work with aluminum, high-strength steel, and magnesium materials. Hybrid materials combining steel and aluminum present even more challenges due to their unique properties and advanced repair techniques.

Windshield Damage

Simply replacing a windshield after front-end car damage is a thing of the past. As mentioned, the safety features on modern cars rely on sensors and cameras that are connected to the windshield.

These innovations mean diagnosing, repairing and recalibrating ADAS components along with windshield replacement, for safe and accurate collision repairs. The simplest way for your body shop to meet the demands of repairing vehicle technology is with the most current OEM information.

Turning Post-Collision Stress into Success

When you consider how much a front-end accident can damage other body parts, frame and ADAS components, the evidence is clear, modern automotive front-end repair requires advanced repair technology. Here are a few features that can make safe and accurate modern front-end repair more manageable and profitable.

ADAS Diagnostics, Repair and Recalibration

From bumper to bumper, SUN Collision Repair Information makes it simple to diagnose, recalibrate and repair ADAS components. You’ll find all the ADAS information right where you need it, starting with the Quick Link button on the first screen in SUN Collision. It navigates you to a list of ADAS components in the vehicle, presenting a consolidated view of detailed procedures, specifications and diagrams needed to complete the repair.

Body and Frame Materials

Accessing up-to-date OEM information is crucial when working with innovative vehicle materials, from steel repair matrixes to fasteners and adhesives. With SUN Collision, getting on-demand access to the latest sectioning procedures, trim work and structural repairs is as easy as clicking a button.

Material Painting and Finishing

Safe and accurate collision repairs are critical, but as every experienced body shop knows, the finished project is how your repair process will be judged. Performing seamless repairs on a carbon fiber body panel or a plastic bumper is much easier when technicians rely on OEM information.

Interactive Wiring Diagrams

SUN Collision’s Advanced Interactive Wiring Diagrams are a necessity for complex repairs involving electric, hybrid and ADAS-equipped vehicles. Our user-friendly wiring diagrams make it easy to track components and connections for fast, accurate repairs. Component names shown in the color-coded diagrams are active hyperlinks that take you straight to the information you need, including location, connector views and replacement procedures.

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Try SUN Collision Today

With real-time OEM repair information at your fingertips, SUN Collision helps your body shop keep up with vehicle innovations as fast as they’re implemented. Having more knowledgeable and skilled repair technicians translates to greater productivity, happier customers and a healthier bottom line. Discover how SUN Collision can make front-end collision repair more accurate and efficient with a free software demo or talk with collision repair experts when you call 877-840-1973.

SUN Collision Repair Information, proven solutions for nearly every collision repair.