Hey Toby—Where can I get some repair information on a 2004 Chevrolet Corvette frame?
        —Steve from Temecula, CA

Steve—You are really lucky. At the CIC January meeting this month, a spokesman from the OEM Round Table unveiled a new and easy web site for the collision industry. Its address is  www.Oem1Stop.com and is it great. You go to the web site and click on the vehicle manufacturer that you need and it takes you right to the collision section. Some sites still require a fee, but more and more other OEMs are making this info free. One note: We have been telling the OEMs how difficult it has been to access information, and they have responded with this new site, but if you don’t use it, guess what, they will probably not listen to us in the future. Now here is what you do. After opening the home page, click on GM, click on “I agree” then go to Chevrolet Column, click on Corvette and click on 04—Rail Undercarriage and you are there. This is free. Thanks OEM Roundtable. [Editor’s note: see Janet Chaney’s column this issue for more on the CIC meeting and OEM Roundtable].

Hey Toby—I had a body shop order a radiator and a/c condenser from me and cancel the order the next day. I asked what happened and the body shop owner stated that the insurance company wanted him to purchase a used radiator and a/c condenser which was $80.00 cheaper. I cannot understand their logic.
    —Confused (name withheld by request).

Confused—I will try to shed some light on the matter. Virtually every insurance company wants its staff to search for used parts if possible to keep the cost of claims down. I don’t have a problem with that. The problem I do have is that management grades their staff on LKQ usage and the appraisal staff makes decisions with no common sense in mind. I would like to know if the body shop installed the units without having them cleaned and checked. How about the mileage on the units and their conditions? Don’t think that the wrecking yards are always telling us the true facts about mileage. Most of the time they don’t know.     What about cycle time? Last week I was at a body shop and a used front end was purchased. The radiator, condenser and trans cooler that were sent were wrong. Two more units were sent and again they were wrong. The vehicle was completed except for the cooling and a/c units for over 2 weeks, but the worst problem was that the manager got a call from the carrier complaining about the cycle time. You just can’t win for trying. I love used parts (I owned a wrecking yard 30 years ago), but there is time and place for them and we need to use some common sense with their useage.

Hey Toby—We’re repairing a 2002 Honda Accord. The front end is swung over to the right several inches, along with the hood. The hood surface is fine but the striker is badly bent. We advised the adjuster that the latch, and the hood should be replaced as we will not accept the liability on a hood flying up... The adjuster states, just hit the striker with a hammer, and the hood & latch will be fine...So Toby, what’s your take on this?
        —Gerald from Stockton

Gerald—Without seeing the vehicle, I will give you my best thoughts on this. I would have to agree with you that the hood and latch should be replaced due to a liability issue. With that being said, you need to take a few steps to protect yourself and the shop. I know that the insurance company says that they will guarantee the repairs, but if a lawsuit occurs in the future, guess who will be left holding the bag. That’s right—you. I would draft a letter stating that you recommend that the hood and latch be replaced, but you will repair the hood and not replace the latch, but in addition, you want the adjuster (make him sign the letter) and his or her carrier to indemnify you and your company harmless is case of a future lawsuit involving the hood and/or latch. I would also give the signed letter to the customer.