You pride yourself on taking a pile of twisted metal and restoring it back to its vehicular glory. It is a marvelous thing to bring back a car to its roadworthy pre-collision state. But when that same vehicle comes back to the shop with minor issues, it presents a scenario that could go for or against you.

To your customer, no problem is “minor.”

The vehicle owner may insist that the condition was not present prior to the crash and that you must have missed it. Maybe yes, maybe no. Step One: Check the factory-issued technical service bulletins (TSBs) before doing anything. If the noise or intermittent condition is already known to the manufacturer, you can rightfully charge to correct the problem or offer to fix it as a gesture of goodwill. Bottom line – OEM information puts you in control of the situation.

Here are excerpts from two recently issued TSBs that represent the kind of minor problems that will certainly become major irritations for your customers.

NOTE: Always refer to ALLDATA Collision^® S3500 for safety procedures, identification of material types, recommended refinish materials, and removal and installation procedures. Always refer to the vehicle manufacturer for questions relating to applicable or non-applicable warranty repair information.

General Motors^® – Front/Rear Door Creak/Squeak

Models
2008 – 2014 Buick^® Enclave^®
2009 – 2014 Chevrolet^® Traverse^®
2007 – 2014 GMC^® Acadia^®
2007 – 2010 Saturn^® Outlook^®

Condition

Some customers may comment on a squeak/creak noise in the front or rear doors when they are opened or closed.

Cause
The front/rear door rubber conduit may be coming in contact with the A or B pillar (Figure 1 at arrow) when opening or closing. Shown in Figure 1: Right front door open, looking at right rear door connector.

Correction

1. Open the door and clean the A or B pillar.
2. Disconnect the battery.
3. Disconnect the door electrical connector.
4. Install two strips side by side, 100mm (4 in) long of commercially available squeak reduction tape or anti-squeak film tape. Install the two strips of tape just below the wire harness connector and 10mm (3/8 in) rearward of the connector (Figure 2).

Toyota^® – Overhead Console Sunglass Holder

Models
Certain 2012 – 2013 Toyota Highlander®, Highlander HV® models

Some vehicles may exhibit a condition where the overhead console sunglass holder is difficult to open or close, and/or the sunglass holder door will not stay closed. The sunglass holder latch (retainer, roof console box hinge) has been updated to address this condition.

Required Parts
P/N 63683-48020 – Retainer, Roof Console Box Hinge

Required Tools
Plastic Pry Tool Kit (Essential Special Service Tool) – P/N 00002-06020
– Qty 1

Repair Procedure

1. Verify the condition.
2. Remove the roof console box assembly.
   1. Using the plastic pry tool, disengage the 2 clips, 3 guides, and fastener (Figure 1).
      
   2. Disconnect the connector(s) and remove the roof console box assembly.
3. Remove the sunglass holder latch.
   1. Open the sunglass holder to the fully open position.
      NOTE: The overhead console may need to be held upside down to get the sunglass holder to open.
   2. Remove the sunglass holder latch by pushing the tabs inward (#1 in Figure 2), rotating the latch clockwise (#2 in Figure 2), and pushing the tabs through the opening.
      
4.  Install the NEW sunglass holder latch in the reverse order of removal.
5. Reinstall the overhead console in the reverse order of removal.
6. Verify proper operation of the sunglass holder and all the related components.

NOTE: This repair/service information is excerpted from information published by the vehicle manufacturer, and intended for the purpose of promoting OEM collision repair information to trained, professional technicians with the knowledge, tools and equipment to do the job properly and safely. Before attempting any repairs described, refer to the complete article in ALLDATA Collision S3500. It is recommended that these procedures not be performed by “do-it-yourselfers.”