Do you own a 2019 Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra? Do you need repairs but don’t know where to look or who to trust? This post will point you the right direction.

So many car models are being redesigned and updated these days that when something breaks down, it’s often hard to get the most updated information on what a specific model needs, as opposed to the general auto body repair methods used on older vehicles. If you’re not a repair technician, and don’t really have the expertise or the time to become a technical expert on the unique features of your car, it’s easy for auto repair shops to take advantage and use unsafe shortcuts to make it seem like they’re “fixing” your car.

Improper repair methods can not only affect your warranty on the vehicle, but also endanger your safety in the long run.  The 2019 Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra is a popular vehicle that does have several generic repair procedures offered by GM (General Motors). However the most recent design updates for this model has brought about some changes to the vehicle’s service and repair manual. In this article we’ll mention the unique aspects of repairing this particular model, so you can make an educated decision when bringing your vehicle in for repairs. The new repair procedures include:

Body Repair

GM now offers service parts for right and left parts of the vehicle frame as opposed to just the full frame for the previous model. This means you should ask your collision repair center about replacing specific parts of the frame, rather than jumping to a full frame replacement while getting an estimate for your repairs.

There are several repair options for the front end module of the car. If the front module is damaged you can 1) replace the radiator core support 2) sectioning of the upper left and right rails or 3) replace the entire module. Keep in mind that there are different brackets that need to be installed depending on whether it’s a GMC or a Chevrolet. While both models are essentially the same vehicle, there are minor details that your mechanic should pay attention to.

Any damage done to the steel frame will require a full module replacement.

Calibration

On the inside, the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra has a forward-facing camera located near the rear view mirror. This aids the vehicle’s adaptive cruise control and parking assist features. You should note that if any of these parts are removed or replaced along with the windshield, the camera will have to be recalibrated. The same goes for any cameras and sensors located in the back of the vehicle, or the box.

The Box

Repair procedures for the box may be different than the methods used by the manufacturer to assemble it. It’s important for an auto body repairer to pay attention to the LED lights and outlets built into the box.

Rear Frame Module

There are specific replacement procedures for the rear frame module, guiding the mechanic to replace parts at factory seams.

Be mindful of the ultrasonic blind spot sensors and parking sensors located on the rear bumper.

Cameras

The 2019 Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra has a 360 degree camera system. If any of these cameras are removed or replaced, they’ll have to be calibrated to ensure the vehicle is just as safe as when you bought it.

Conclusion

Because there are so many new specifications and unique repair procedures to follow, it’s important to your safety and the value of the vehicle that your auto body repair technician does the research to fix it in the right way. Car manufacturers will always have safe repair guidelines to help insure the integrity of the vehicle, however many collision repair centers like to cut corners to save money or shorten the time needed for repair. As the car owner, it’s in your best interest to find a repairer that follows the procedures provided by the manufacturer to restore that vehicle back to the exact way it was prior to the accident “pre-loss condition”. This is essentially what your insurance is for, yet many car owners don’t know or forget to take advantage of this.

Body shops looking to cut corners may ignore these repair procedures from GM, but we do not here at Hunter Auto Body. Some auto body shops may use salvage parts because the insurance company insists on their usage. Even though we work with all insurance companies, and some insurance companies may insist on having us do partial part replacements, we do not perform any non-manufacturer verified procedures on vehicles as a business decision. We advocate for our customers to get the best, safest, and quickest repair possible. If you have any collision repair needs to your GM made truck, schedule an appointment with us!