In many cases, collision shops can repair minor vehicle damage without replacing entire panels. Paintless and traditional dent repair can fix a surprising number of problems, but some issues are too severe. When a body panel is unrecoverable, the only option to correctly repair the vehicle is to replace the entire piece.

The cost and difficulty involved with this work will vary based on the type of damaged exterior service. Some parts, such as your bumpers, hood, or trunk lid, can be removed with a few fasteners and clips. Other components, such as quarter panels, are more challenging to remove and require metal cutting work before welding the new panel onto the car.

Unibody vs. Body-on-Frame

The method of attachment for body panels on your car will vary based on the car's underlying structure. Most modern passenger vehicles, including car-based SUV platforms, use a unibody design. Unibody vehicles do not have a separate frame, which means that the body panels are critical structural components.

Older cars and many trucks still use a body-on-frame design. With this type of structure, the entire shell of the vehicle sits on top of a separate frame. Replacing body panels for a body-on-frame vehicle can sometimes require less work than replacing panels on a unibody car. Body panel replacements are also less likely to impact the structural stability of the vehicle.

Replacing Quarter Panels

Your car's quarter panels are the sections of the body near the wheel wells at both the front and rear of the vehicle. For a unibody vehicle, manufacturers weld these pieces to the underlying structure. When a quarter panel is too damaged to repair, a collision shop will need to cut the old panel loose before replacing it. The repair technicians can then weld a new piece in place.

Replacing a quarter panel is significantly more challenging than replacing a bumper or trunk lid, but experienced shops can perform this job seamlessly. Even with unibody vehicles, a skilled technician can usually weld a new piece into place without creating noticeable gaps or other fit issues. Once installed, the quarter panel and surrounding panels will require paintwork to blend seamlessly.

The Importance of Replacing Damaged Panels

For trucks or older body-on-frame vehicles, a damaged quarter panel may not be a significant issue. For modern cars and SUVs, every part of the body contributes to structural stability and safety. Leaving quarter panel damage unaddressed can be unsightly and dangerous. Properly repairing damaged quarter panels ensures that your vehicle looks good and remains safe to drive.

Visit an auto body repair shop to fix your car's panels.