The way we repair vehicles has changed. Automobile manufacturers have reduced vehicle weight by switching from traditional steel to aluminum and high-strength steels, introduced new technologies like advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), and are continually updating and improving repair standards.
In order to better diagnose, develop and execute a proper repair plan once a car is damaged in a collision, a technician needs to be able to understand not only how the collision affected the point of impact, but also how the collision energy transferred throughout the vehicle.
It’s now more important than ever for shop owners and their technicians to understand the structural design and construction of the vehicles they’re repairing. When repairing a vehicle, shop owners need to ensure not only that they have the necessary collision repair equipment to do the work, but also that their technicians have the proper training to make the repairs and understand OEM repair standards.
So, what equipment should shop owners consider when it comes to modern collision repair? While technicians in the United States have typically been trained on and are more familiar with frame racks, bench systems are growing in popularity as the automotive manufacturing industry changes.
Frame rack vs. bench: What’s the difference?
When considering whether a frame rack or bench is better than the other, it’s best to understand the difference between the two.
Benches hold a vehicle in alignment and allow parts and pieces of the vehicle to be positioned within the alignment of the bench. With a bench, the vehicle is set up in holding points that become specific measuring reference points. These points allow the technician to then make incremental adjustments in small areas to bring damaged pieces back to specifications. A bench can have measurement scales running down the platform and along the crossbeams to reference all repairs or dedicated fixtures that are vehicle-specific.
Frame racks hold vehicles into place on a deck, and then the repair is done by making pulls in various directions to bring the entire structure back into OEM specifications. This technique can help apply the same amount of pressure across multiple points of the damaged area at the exact same time and can help to prevent further damage to the vehicle structure.
Structural holding and anchoring
Another important factor in vehicle repair is holding the vehicles correctly. Today’s vehicles are manufactured with many different types of materials, such as high-strength or ultra-high-strength steel or aluminum and/or other lightweight materials, and may require a different repair approach when it comes to holding and anchoring the vehicle. In most cases, the days of holding only four points in the center of the vehicle are gone. Today, six, eight or more holding points are required regardless of whether repairs are being done on a bench or a frame rack.
Understanding how to hold the vehicle during the repair process is just as important as the repair itself. Structural holding allows the technician to apply additional holds that spread out the amount of pressure at each hold location. This can help reduce the chance of the car shifting out of place during the repair and causing additional damage to the vehicle. It also makes it easier to return a vehicle to OEM specifications.
Measure what matters most
More and more insurance companies now require repair shops to use computerized measuring systems as part of the repair process. The good news is, most measuring systems can be used on both frame racks and benches. Whether detecting misalignment in a vehicle's structure or verifying that repairs have eliminated the damage, electronic measuring systems are critical to the repair process and provide additional accuracy to ensure the repair is done correctly.
Five questions to ask
There’s no right or wrong answer when it comes to choosing between a frame rack and a bench. Capital investments are a big decision for any shop owner, so here are a few questions to consider:
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What’s your budget? There are a variety of different bench systems on the market that require a larger initial investment, typically costing between 50 and 70 percent more than a frame rack. Another consideration is that while some bench systems use universal fixtures that offer more flexibility in anchoring a vehicle, others may require dedicated fixtures that must be rented or purchased depending on the type of vehicle being repaired, requiring additional time and financial resources to make the repair.
If the budget is a concern, there are economical alternatives to purchasing a new bench, such as expanding the multipoint holding capabilities of an existing frame rack by adding a structural holding system. Many of the holding systems on the market are able to work on older benches and racks, so in many cases, shop owners may be able to update the equipment they have rather than purchasing everything new.
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What types of vehicles does your shop repair the most? If your shop repairs mostly pickup trucks, for example, a frame rack is likely the way to go. Larger body-on-frame vehicles can be easier to fix on frame racks, which provide a larger platform for the pulls and pushes that are important to proper truck collision repair.
For shops that service more cars, a bench may make more sense. Unibody vehicles often require replacement of parts more than pulling, and benches can in some cases take up less room than a traditional rack.
- How much space do you have? The physical amount of space needed around a rack or bench to perform vehicle repairs, whether operating the towers to make pulls or sectioning out damaged parts, is virtually the same. However, a bench system is smaller than a rack, and some benches can be recessed into the floor when not in use, making the bay available for other purposes.
- Do you want to be approved to repair a certain OEM’s vehicles? A growing number of OEMs are requiring that shops use specific equipment when repairing damage to their vehicles. To be approved to repair a certain OEM’s vehicles, shop owners will need to invest in the type of collision repair equipment required.
- What training is needed? When considering a bench or rack system, shop owners will want to determine whether they have technicians on staff who are familiar with bench or rack repair. Any new equipment purchase is going to require additional training. Vehicle technology, rack and bench repairs, and vehicle holding methods are changing rapidly and require consistent training. Even if new equipment hasn’t been purchased recently, it’s still important to get updated training from the equipment manufacturers.
There’s no right or wrong decision
As collision repair methodology and the equipment needed to facilitate repairs continue to evolve and improve, it’s important to keep up to date on the changes in the industry and take the time to conduct regular training. Without the right equipment and an understanding of how to correctly repair a vehicle, more damage can be done, costing a shop time, money and reputation.
Shop owners must understand their shop’s needs when evaluating which system will better suit their business now and in the future.
