Is this acceptable panel beating workmanship?

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starcub

84 posts

Master Geek

# 255553 17-Aug-2019 15:22

Hi,

I recently damaged my passenger door (2018 Toyota Prado) and had it repaired(replaced?) at a panel beater. It looked good at first glance but when I had a closer look, the door panel doesn't seem to align with the rest of the car.

It's kinda hard to capture on the photos but picture 1 & 3 are the passenger side (repaired door), picture 2 & 4 are the driver side (original door)

passenger side (repaired) driver side

Passenger Side (Repaired) Driver Side (not repaired)

There's about 2-4mm gap between the front door and the back door. I understand there's always gonna be some gaps but is this acceptable?

Thanks

starcub

84 posts

Master Geek

# 2300903 17-Aug-2019 15:25

Here's another photo, from this angle it looks a bit worse.

SirHumphreyAppleby

929 posts

Ultimate Geek

# 2300905 17-Aug-2019 15:28

5 people support this post

I wouldn't consider that acceptable.

Dratsab

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# 2300906 17-Aug-2019 15:34

Nah - that's really shoddy. Private repair or through an insurance company?

sqishy

224 posts

Master Geek

# 2300907 17-Aug-2019 15:39

Might just need adjusting on the lock side to bring it in more.

Sqishy

starcub

84 posts

Master Geek

# 2300908 17-Aug-2019 15:43

Dratsab:

Nah - that's really shoddy. Private repair or through an insurance company?

via insurance company from one of their "recommended repairers"

Linux

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# 2300910 17-Aug-2019 15:45

That is rubbish lining up work

gregmcc

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# 2300912 17-Aug-2019 15:48

Have they used "Genuine" parts or aftermarket parts (AKA cheap not quite right copies)

Linux

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# 2300913 17-Aug-2019 15:51

gregmcc:

Have they used "Genuine" parts or aftermarket parts (AKA cheap not quite right copies)

I would be asking them this

dan

1121 posts

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# 2300922 17-Aug-2019 15:57

2 people support this post

lazy or inexperienced panel beater probably. getting the gaps right does take some skill

i wouldnt accept it, its not even close in the first pic

Dratsab

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# 2300940 17-Aug-2019 17:57

3 people support this post

starcub:

Dratsab: Nah - that's really shoddy. Private repair or through an insurance company?

via insurance company from one of their "recommended repairers"

Go back to the panel beater and [politely] express your opinion of the work that's been done - this should not have been allowed to leave the workshop in this state. I don't think you can blame one person for this, irrespective of who actually did the job there should be a foreman (or forewoman) giving all work a once over before the vehicle is handed back.

In the state it's in, it's unlikely the door seals will be functioning correctly/fully which is going to lead to other problems. As pointed out above, it's quite likely a simple realignment job of the door (and lock mechanism). If the workshop won't fix it up, go back to your insurance company to get it rectified - tell them they own responsibility for any consequential damage.

lNomNoml

1350 posts

Uber Geek

# 2301035 17-Aug-2019 19:28

3 people support this post

starcub:
Dratsab:

Nah - that's really shoddy. Private repair or through an insurance company?

via insurance company from one of their "recommended repairers"

Inform the insurance company that it isn't acceptable and take it back to the panel beater to fix it.

clevedon

1005 posts

Uber Geek

# 2301442 19-Aug-2019 07:59

starcub:

Here's another photo, from this angle it looks a bit worse.

It's not great but would probably take only a couple of minutes to fix yourself, the three screws on the stiker plate on the pillar that the door lock catches on just need adjusting in so the door closes further in. Really simple fix.

Bung

2983 posts

Uber Geek

# 2301457 19-Aug-2019 08:41

The gap doesn't look even so it could involve hinge position as well. Whatever it is, it is the panelbeater's job to fix.

One reason new cars are quiet is that the doors fit well and you don't get the noise of the air being sucked past the seals.