GM warns that wheel reconditioning is a dangerous practice in collision repair.

Nearly every car manufacturer releases Position Statements explaining what methods of auto body repair they do or do not recommend.  While some shops disregard these statements, we take a fine-tooth comb to the information they provide so that we can provide the best possible repair for every vehicle that comes through our doors.

In the case of wheel reconditioning, GM has issued a Position Statement clearly discouraging this practice in any Cadillac repairs.  If you are not familiar with wheel reconditioning, it is a process of using various tools and methods to try to repair a damaged wheel, instead of replacing it entirely.  Some methods include welding, reforming, or reshaping the wheel.  

Here’s what they say:

“GM does not endorse any repairs that involve welding, bending, straightening or re-machining. Only cosmetic refinishing of the wheel’s coatings, using recommended procedures, is allowed.  In evaluating damage, it is the GM Dealer’s responsibility to inspect the wheel for corrosion, scrapes, gouges, etc. The Dealer must insure that such damage is not deeper than what can be sanded or polished off. The wheel must be inspected for cracks. If cracks are found, discard the wheel. Any wheels with bent rim flanges must not be repaired or refinished.”

The problem with reconditioning methods, such as heating, welding, and reshaping, is that these techniques could compromise the structural integrity of your wheels.  If a wheel is damaged enough to warrant reconditioning, then it should just be replaced outright.       

Being the only parts of the car to actually make contact with the road, your wheels are essential to your safety and are worth investing the proper time and energy into.  It is simply not worth the risk to your life to take chances with the condition of your vehicle’s wheels.

Why does GM approve of wheel refinishing?

While wheel reconditioning is not approved of by GM, certain cosmetic repairs are fine.  It’s important that the wheels are carefully inspected first for any cracks, gouges, or bending. 

GM says:

“A refinisher’s responsibility includes inspecting for cracks using the Zyglo system or the equivalent. Any cracked wheels must not be refinished. No welding, hammering or reforming of any kind is allowed. The wheel ID must be recorded and follow the wheel throughout the process in order to assure that the same wheel is returned. Material removal, though, must be kept to a minimum. Re-machining of the wheel is not allowed. Paint and/or clear coat must not be present on the following surfaces: the nut chambers, the wheel mounting surfaces and the wheel pilot hole. The refinisher must permanently ID stamp the wheel and warrant the painted/clear-coated surfaces for a minimum of one year or the remainder of the new vehicle warranty, whichever is longer.”

As you can see, GM provides very clear instructions for the procedures we must follow while inspecting and refinishing your Cadillac’s wheels.  If the damage is something that can easily be sanded or painted, then refinishing is acceptable.  If the damage is more than superficial, then the wheels must be replaced.  

Superficial cosmetic adjustments are allowed, since they won’t jeopardize the integrity of the wheel structure.  Minor sanding and polishing repairs do not involve the use of heat or reshaping that reconditioning would entail.    

Not all shops follow these recommendations, but we do.

It’s disappointing, but some shops throw caution out the window and continue to practice wheel reconditioning, despite GM’s adamant recommendation to avoid this practice at all costs.  They can get away with this because no body shop is actually forced to adhere to a manufacturer’s Position Statement.  

At our shop, we strongly believe that there’s no reason to take a chance with your Cadillac’s repair by going against the advice of the manufacturer.  Reconditioned wheels can lead to very dangerous problems down the road.  We will always replace your Cadillac’s wheels entirely if they’ve sustained significant damage or we will follow proper refinishing methods if the damage is cosmetic. 

You won’t have to worry about driving on unstable wheels when you bring your vehicle to us.  We always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations in order to deliver the safest possible repair to our customers. 

GM wants to ensure that your collision repair is done thoroughly.

If your Cadillac has been in a collision, there are very specific steps that an auto body shop needs to take in order to optimize your vehicle’s repairs.  One of the smartest things that a shop can do is to review the manufacturer’s Position Statement regarding the type of repair needed.  While every shop has access to this communication from each manufacturer, not every shop abides by the recommendations provided.  At our shop, however, we take this information very seriously, since we want to give you a safe and reliable repair.

In the case of your Cadillac, GM has issued a statement explaining why they strongly recommend pre- and post-repair scans in the event of a collision.  If you are not familiar with these procedures and why they are important, keep reading for our explanation of the key points expressed in GM’s Position Statement.

Scans can provide shops with crucial diagnostic information.

Prior to conducting any repairs, we take the time to run a scan tool in order to uncover any damage to the vehicle’s internal systems.  The scan tool will provide diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) that tell us exactly which systems are having issues.  When armed with this crucial information, we are better equipped to get to the source of any malfunctions.

Of course it makes sense that a shop would need to scan a vehicle to diagnose and repair damage after a collision, but it’s equally important for us to scan a vehicle AGAIN after we have made repairs.  Why?  Here’s what GM says about it:

“Even minor body damage or glass replacement may result in damage to one or more safety-related systems on the vehicle. Any action that results in loss of battery-supplied voltage and disconnection of electrical circuits requires that the vehicle is subsequently tested to ensure proper electrical function.  Many safety and security-related components, sensors and Electronic Control Units (ECUs) require calibration and/or learns when replaced. These systems must be repaired according to the corresponding GM repair procedures in Service Information (GMSi).”

What GM means is that any collision repair can impact the electronic systems within a vehicle—even when those systems are not the specific items needing repairs. 

As cars have become more sophisticated and technologically advanced, they are now equipped with more wires and sensors that can easily be disrupted when certain areas of the car are being addressed by an auto body technician.  Repairing a dashboard or replacing glass could potentially lead to a disruption of the Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), for instance.  All parts of your Cadillac are designed to work together.  When one part is impaired, this can affect a slew of functions within your car’s systems.   

Another issue that can happen after a repair is that a system might need to be recalibrated.  Cameras and sensors, for example, require very specific positions in order to function as needed.  After a repair, it’s imperative to ensure that every part is calibrated to the precise measurement.    

One of the best ways for us to ensure that a repair was done properly is to run a scan tool afterwards to ensure no diagnostic codes appear.  This will let us know if all systems are functioning as they should.

The best way to scan for DTCs is with a factory scan tool.

Every car manufacturer has its own unique scan tool that can identify codes applicable to its own vehicles.  General Motors is no different and recommends that shops use its scan tool (MDI or a J2534 device) and its own diagnostic software (GDS2 or Tech2/Tech2Win).  Using any other scan tool or software can cause less accuracy in diagnoses.     

The utmost safety and quality performance of your Cadillac are the reasons why our shop goes above and beyond with every repair.

If a shop makes the choice to skip the crucial steps of pre- and post-repair scans, they are risking the safety and overall performance of your Cadillac.  It might be hard to believe, but some shops try to shave off repair time by avoiding these necessary procedures.  At a minimum, this might lead to minor inconsistencies in your vehicle’s performance.  At worst, however, this could lead to catastrophe.  If your collision detection sensors aren’t calibrated properly or your cruise control is defective due to wiring issues, for instance, you could end up in an accident. 

We don’t think it’s worth the risk to you or to your car to ignore the manufacturer’s recommendations.  At our shop, we make pre- and post-repair scans a priority.