This year, however, I have decided to take a slight detour for my last blog of 2018.  After reviewing the year, as I always do at this time, I found we had an uptick in US Service Members who came for vehicle repair.  I am especially thankful to persons who serve. My family has served with pride in every branch of the service. My Dad was in the Army, an Uncle in the Navy, four Uncles who served as Marines along with one of their daughters and my Nephew who is an active member of the Air Force.  I have great respect for those who are called to serve and feel privileged they are choosing Allston Collision Center for help.

One such customer, Petty Officer 2nd Class Jen McCabe, came to Allston Collision Center because we are a preferred provider of USAA.  Her vehicle was originally towed to another shop but they couldn’t fix it. This 2014 urban assault Jeep Rubicon had front end damage but had steel modifications made to the bumper. It also had aluminum fishing pole mods made to the front end.  There were electrical, battery, and alternator issues. It had structural damage along with alignment issues. To top it off PO McCabe’s Rubicon has oversized tires which created additional problems with the alignment. This vehicle was raised and had suspension modifications. Not every shop can handle a vehicle of this magnitude.  

PO McCabe created a complete beast and with it a really difficult fixing process. I mean check out the photos. The mods on the front of this vehicle with its beefed-up bumper and aluminum fishing pole shafts- super cool.  The mag tires; I mean this Rubicon is really unbelievable. I have never seen anything like it. Though PO McCabe was not from Massachusetts, she ultimately trusted us with this one of a kind gem and Allston Collision Center welcomed the challenge.

As you can see from the finish photos the vehicle was back to its better self and the customer was very happy. So happy in fact, she gave us permission to use her vehicle and her name on this blog. I hope she gets the opportunity to read this and see her newly fixed car on our website.

As I finish out 2018, I want to round out this year by saying thank you from the bottom of my heart to all people who serve our country, to my family who has always backed my ideas, to my crew and their families for the hard work and long hours, and my partner who is especially important to the operation. All of these people have their part in keeping Allston Collision Center, Inc. the shop we always wanted.  A workplace where the treatment of our crew and customers reaches a level of respect we don’t often experience in other places.

And sometimes, just sometimes, we come across a vehicle that is an absolute beast in the best way and Allston Collision Center rises to the challenge.

Peace and happiness to all in the New Year

Elaine M. O’Neill

The post Repairing a US Service Member’s 2014 Urban Assault Jeep Rubicon appeared first on Allston Collision Center | Expert Boston Auto Body Repair.

If you look at the before shots, you will see how the hood is separated.  Most of us would think – hey not too bad right?  However, by the time this job was completed, with a full front paint job and making the hood perfectly aligned this turned into a pretty expensive repair.

I realize I frequently repeat myself in the writing of these blogs, but this is a great example of why you need a trusted professional on your side.  If you took your own photos of this damage, it would seem like a small job, but once you get “under the hood” so to speak, it turns into a major accident.  The reason why photos don’t show the whole story and why this becomes major is because the vehicle needs to be completely disassembled.  A lot of new vehicles have protective shields under the hood.  These shields help with aerodynamics and gas mileage but make it so Allston Collision Center has to take it apart to find all the damage.

What you don’t see is the work which needs to be done under the protective shield.  This particular vehicle needed an AC condenser, headlights, radiator, radiator fan assembly, grille, hood, hood lock, bumper, and painting the nose.  A photo won’t show any of the above.

Allston Collision Center, Inc. has aluminum trained employees which helped with this 2019 Jeep because the hood is yes, you guessed it, aluminum.  Though the hood ultimately had to be replaced, it is good to have professionally trained employees looking at it to determine whether it can be fixed properly or not.

We give quite a bit of attention to each vehicle that comes to us, and I hope it shows on this brand new Jeep.

The post Jeep Auto Body Repair – Our First 2019 Model appeared first on Allston Collision Center | Expert Boston Auto Body Repair.

Trailhawk:  Well I’m sure you have realized by now we aren’t talking about a bird!  This vehicle was hit while parked.  The owner of the vehicle arrived to find the passenger side buckled.  You can see the wave and scratches on the door in the photos.  Unfortunately Jeep did not have used parts for this vehicle.   We decided not to wait for availability because we could not guarantee if or when the parts would be available.  We make the decision to use new parts for this repair.  Allston Collision Center completed the repairs in two weeks – which made this an on time delivery.  May the hawk take flight!

VW Rabbit:  Don’t look down silly rabbit!   This is the classic story of looking away just for a moment.  This driver was distracted for an instant and ran into the vehicle in front of them.  It is unbelievable how much damage can be done in this kind of accident.  The damage for this vehicle was extensive:  bumper, hood, radiator support, grille, left fender, AC condenser, radiator and two headlights.  The vehicle was doing approximately 20 miles per hour and you can see the result of a low impact accident in the before photos.  Our timeline is three weeks and we met it.  Time for the Rabbit to roam again!

Lexus:  Not on Strike – A Deer Strike!  This is one of the scariest accidents to be in.  A Deer is a powerful animal that can total a car, even when you are driving slowly.  This is the kind of accident that can maim or even kill the animal, never mind the driver.  The driver was able to skid and stop but the damage is still pretty bad.  You can see in the before photo the hood is buckled, grille, headlight and bumper are all damaged.  Luckily the Lexus is very well made and protected the driver from more serious damage.  Again this was a low speed impact.  Allston Collision Center indicated two weeks to fix this vehicle and we came in under the timeline.    The Deer survived and ran off – happy ending for all!

Allston Collision Center, Inc. takes great pride in our work and it’s always great to deliver on time and with no animals being hurt.

The post 2017 Collision Repairs – A Bird, a Silly Rabbit and a Strike! appeared first on Allston Collision Center | Expert Boston Auto Body Repair.