Vehicle in an accident, estimated time for repair?

Hello,

My Nissan Sentra (2004 1.8S) was involved in an accident and needs
repair at a body shop. The accident occured on friday, I will be going
to the autoshop for an estimate on monday. However since I will need
to arrange for alternate transportation during the repairs, can anyone
provide with with an estimate on how long it might take? All the
damage is confined to the passenger door in the front, which is badly
dented with shredded skin. There is no other damage anywhere else. I
expect the door will have to be replaced completely.

Can anyone tell me how long it might take to have this done?

Thanks very much.
-smith

"gorda" > wrote in message
om

There is no other damage anywhere else. I
> expect the door will have to be replaced completely.
>
> Can anyone tell me how long it might take to have this done?


If it is really that simple they can do it in a day, two max, if they
get right on it.

Replacing the door doesn't take too long. If they can get a complete
door from a wrecked car, it may even have all the glass, etc, inside
which would shorten the process. It could be as easy as bolting on
the salvage door,switching lock tumblers, repaint, and take it home.

Straightening the old door is sometimes possible.

Now, if the frame is bent or door pillars have to be straightened and
aligned, it may add to the time.

If you have special paint, stripes, trim, etc which isn't readily
available, there could be a wait involved.





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In article >,
(gorda) wrote:

> Hello,
>
> My Nissan Sentra (2004 1.8S) was involved in an accident and needs
> repair at a body shop. The accident occured on friday, I will be going
> to the autoshop for an estimate on monday. However since I will need
> to arrange for alternate transportation during the repairs, can anyone
> provide with with an estimate on how long it might take? All the
> damage is confined to the passenger door in the front, which is badly
> dented with shredded skin. There is no other damage anywhere else. I
> expect the door will have to be replaced completely.
>
> Can anyone tell me how long it might take to have this done?
>
> Thanks very much.
> -smith

Assuming just replace the door (no paint, trim, etc work happening), you
*COULD* be back on the road in under an hour. Things get longer (might
turn into days or weeks, depending on availabilty) if they have to order
the door, paint it, assemble it, and so on, or do other "extras" that
may not yet be visible, before bolting it on. The actual swap is almost
certainly (never worked on a Sentra, so I don't know for sure, but if
it's anything like most other cars...) fewer than 10 nuts/bolts, and
perhaps a couple of electrical connectors. More than likely less than 15
minutes, with another few to line it up so it latches properly and
"fills the hole" like it should. Oh - almost forgot - another 10 minutes
or so to swap the lock cylinder - Less if you don't care that the
original key doesn't fit anymore

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I respond to Email as quick as humanly possible. If you Email me and get no
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In article > ,
(gorda) wrote:

> Thanks very much for your response. I'm reassured to know that it
> shouldn't be a big operation to have a new door fitted back on. If
> they do have to order a new door, typically how long would this take
> usually?

That's something that only the shop can even TRY to tell you. I've got
no clue what the "lag" in the parts pipline is, or how hard they'll have
to search to find a door for your car. They might have one in the back
room, ready to go. They might have to order it from a supplier across
town, or in the next town over. (Anywhere from a couple hours, to a day
or two of waiting) Or, they might have to order it directly from the
factory in Japan. (Take a wild guess at how long it'll take to get
there. How are they shipping it? Plane? (expensive!) A day or two,
probably. Boat? Weeks, perhaps months, depending on route.) There's just
no way to know for sure without talking to somebody who actually has a
clue.

--
Don Bruder - - New Email policy in effect as of Feb. 21, 2004.
I respond to Email as quick as humanly possible. If you Email me and get no
response, see <http://www.sonic.net/~dakidd/main/contact.html> Short
form: I'm trashing EVERYTHING that doesn't contain a password in the subject.