2015 GMC Sierra Frame Replacement

Horacio · February 1, 2017

So if it pushed your truck while it was in Park, you don't know what that could do to a transmission.

I don't want to offend any dealership mechanics here, but I've witnessed them installing aluminum wheels on a truck with an impact gun and regular socket, not the torque measured kind. They just drilled that lug on there and gave it hell. Hey, it's not their truck! I don't even trust these guys to change my oil. A few bad apples shouldn't ruin the barrel tho.

You're right, it doesn't look bad. But the estimate is just that, an estimate. Wait until they get it apart. Guaranteed they will find more issues. Nobody has X-ray vision.

If it's worth it to you and your son, I'd fight tooth and nail for a new truck. Especially if you've been with your carrier for a good amount of time.

Best of luck.

bndawgs · February 1, 2017

Seriously not safe? It is a brand new frame.... They have no obligation to give you a new truck, it will be fine repaired. Maybe try parking in the driveway or garage next time?

Tyler

Hmm, before you're so quick to judge and tell him where to park, let me know how you think parking in my driveway turned out?

In regards to the OP's issue, new frame will be perfectly fine. I'd rather that over having the body shop try to straighten the old one out.

Edited February 1, 2017 by bndawgs

dave07 · February 1, 2017

I'm like you OP, I would never trust them to put a new frame on the truck. You know they aren't torqueing every part to specification, they don't even torque down lug nuts correctly. I would ask a dealership how much they would give you for trading it in wrecked vs. not wrecked. Take the difference in that number and ask the insurance for a diminished value claim on the vehicle. Then trade that sucker in for a new one! Hopefully you are not upside down on the vehicle. Just my .02.

muddkatt · February 1, 2017

Be sure to ask for diminished value. Carfax and others will have a record of MAJOR damage. When its time to trade, bend over.....Vaseline not included.

Edited February 1, 2017 by muddkatt

Rhinomike · February 1, 2017

Hmm, before you're so quick to judge and tell him where to park, let me know how you think parking in my driveway turned out?

In regards to the OP's issue, new frame will be perfectly fine. I'd rather that over having the body shop try to straighten the old one out.

Yes. The frame will be replaced with an OEM fame. It will not be repaired. That is no longer an option. I am just trying to decide if I want to fight with them for a total loss and get me a replacement vehicle.

Right now my repairs are at about $12k and the truck is values about $36k. He said I am at 35% right now and need to be around 60%. But I didn't push on him. I thought about telling him I don't feel that it is safe.

audioworks04 · February 2, 2017

Fight the fight and don't give up. At the very least, depending on your state laws, you deserve a LARGE finished value payout to make up for the loss in value. From a safety standpoint I'm sure the shop will return it to a previous condition state, but that does not mean the paper trail is clean.

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ne_dan · February 2, 2017

My Tacoma had the frame replaced for frame rot. They could barely put it back together right and it was at a dealership that was replacing frames everyday. Unless they are giving you an extended warranty on the work preformed, I'd push for the total. If they won't trade it right in.

southern_sierra · February 2, 2017

Did the driver that hit your truck have insurance. Have your insurance co. sue for a new truck. Or get lawyered up. You can do as stated above trade it in as is and turn insurance over to dealer for repair.

Rhinomike · February 3, 2017

So after two days of battling back and forth with the insurance adjuster they still won't total it out. It's getting a new frame unless I want to get an attorney. And that's not me.

My local dealership is medium sized and said to let the body shop do the work. They contract it out to a company that specializes in it. Two or three guys do it in one day. $3k for the frame and $2k in labor. $7k for all the rest of the body work. All OEM Parts. I insisted.

He really didn't care about "diminished value". Has anybody else ever been successful with a diminished value claim? I'm sure it will now be on carfax. And most people don't want to buy a vehicle that had frame damage. This whole situation sure doesn't seem fair considering I wasn't even in my truck when it was hit.

txchevy4ever · February 3, 2017

So after two days of battling back and forth with the insurance adjuster they still won't total it out. It's getting a new frame unless I want to get an attorney. And that's not me.

My local dealership is medium sized and said to let the body shop do the work. They contract it out to a company that specializes in it. Two or three guys do it in one day. $3k for the frame and $2k in labor. $7k for all the rest of the body work. All OEM Parts. I insisted.

He really didn't care about "diminished value". Has anybody else ever been successful with a diminished value claim? I'm sure it will now be on carfax. And most people don't want to buy a vehicle that had frame damage. This whole situation sure doesn't seem fair considering I wasn't even in my truck when it was hit.

You're absolutely correct, it's a crappy situation. Diminished value will depend on the insurance company's decision. Sadly, yes, it will show on the Carfax.

morrislee · February 3, 2017

Try to get it written off if that is the case. We did a frame swap on a 2016 2500, it was a pain in the ...., Airbags and all the wiring had to be redone. Most of the stuff for powertrain is mounted on the frame, all that has to be transferred after they lift the cabin

Sierra 5.3 · February 3, 2017

Hey guys. I have a 2015 GMC Sierra. While parked in the street someone lost control and hit the rear. The body shop called me yesterday and said they think the frame needs to be replaced not repaired. This seems crazy to me. The truck is new. Only a year old. They want to tear it apart and replace the frame. I feel like it will never be the same. What do you guys think? Am I making a big deal out of nothing? Should I start pushing my insurance for a new vehicle replacement? Let them replace the frame and trade it in? My son drives this truck and I want to know it's safe and reliable. Thanks guys.

Being such a new truck, they will not total it unless the frame, engine, etc. all need replaced and it adds up to more than what the truck is worth. I wrecked my 2014 and it needed the frame replaced due to the something that connected the wheel to the frame not having an aftermarket application out yet and no other way to replace it other than a new frame....idk something. Anyways, the shop that did mine sucked and I found body mount bolts missing and the ones that were attached to my cab were loose, needless to say the manager and I had a conversation and he assured me the body mount bolts that were missing were part of a TSB and didn't need to be there.... I LOST MY SH*T. His son was a mechanic so I felt like he was just sticking up for family, I will never take anything back to him again nor recommend him. The 2014 is gone now, dealerships problem. I think it can be fine, just get a good shop.

Donstar · February 3, 2017

My dealership has its own body shop and I would trust them to do the work. However, if this was my vehicle, I'd be also working with the sales department to get a new truck. I would trust a used vehicle that had the frame replaced by this dealer but I am sure I would experience a few hiccups. I would rather deal with the loss up front and drive a new vehicle than drive a rebuild around for years and deal with the loss at trade-in time!

bndawgs · February 3, 2017

i think people are overreacting. find a good shop with good reviews and you'll be fine.

Sierra 5.3 · February 3, 2017

So after two days of battling back and forth with the insurance adjuster they still won't total it out. It's getting a new frame unless I want to get an attorney. And that's not me.

My local dealership is medium sized and said to let the body shop do the work. They contract it out to a company that specializes in it. Two or three guys do it in one day. $3k for the frame and $2k in labor. $7k for all the rest of the body work. All OEM Parts. I insisted.

He really didn't care about "diminished value". Has anybody else ever been successful with a diminished value claim? I'm sure it will now be on carfax. And most people don't want to buy a vehicle that had frame damage. This whole situation sure doesn't seem fair considering I wasn't even in my truck when it was hit.

On my carfax from a replaced frame it said "Minor Damage" and didn't list specifics hahaha I about busted out laughing when the dealership told me this when I traded it in. Minor damage from hitting a pole. That is what was on the carfax. When the salesman told me this, I just shock my head and said "yep, that sounds about right" hahahaha