ASE B6 Damage Analysis & Estimating flashcards
ASE B6 Damage Analysis & Estimating · Build recall with a focused review session.
32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.
- VIN check digit
- The ninth character of a 17-character VIN, calculated from the other characters to detect transcription errors; it is not part of the vehicle's serial sequence.
- VIN model year code
- The tenth VIN character; digits 1-9 cover 2001-2009 and letters A-Y (skipping I, O, Q) cover 2010 onward, so L is 2020 and P is 2023.
- Direct damage
- Damage at the point of impact, where the striking object contacted the vehicle; it typically shows the most severe deformation and is the starting point for tracing damage.
- Indirect damage
- Damage transferred away from the impact point through the panel or structure, appearing as misalignment, gaps, or creases at locations that were not struck.
- Inertia damage
- Damage caused by movement of occupants or components during a collision, such as knee-bolster contact, seat frame bending, or engine mount loading.
- Panel gap measurement
- A comparison of the spacing and flushness between adjacent panels against specification; abnormal gaps indicate underlying structural or mounting movement.
- Paintless dent repair
- A method of restoring a dent without refinishing by pushing or pulling the metal from behind; suitable only when the paint is intact and the metal is not stretched.
- Control point dimensions
- Manufacturer-published measurements between reference points on the body or frame, used with a measuring system to verify structural alignment within tolerance.
- Frame diamond
- A condition in which one side of the frame or unibody is offset laterally relative to the other, so the centerline is skewed rather than straight.
- Crush zone
- A designed section of the vehicle structure that deforms in a collision to absorb energy; it must be restored to design function, not reinforced or weakened.
- Sectioning
- Replacing only a damaged portion of a panel or rail, joined at a manufacturer-approved location using approved welding or bonding methods.
- Squeeze-type spot welding
- The OEM-preferred method for joining structural steel panels, applying current through electrodes on both sides to create a factory-style weld nugget.
- Pre-scan and post-scan
- Diagnostic scan tool operations performed before repairs to record stored codes and after repairs to verify systems and clear or recalibrate as required.
- ADAS recalibration
- A required procedure that aims and verifies driver-assistance sensors after windshield, bumper, suspension, or structural work, using static targets or a dynamic drive.
- SRS one-time components
- Airbags, seat belt pretensioners, and certain impact sensors that must be replaced after deployment or activation; they cannot be reset or reused.
- High-voltage disable
- The manufacturer-specified procedure to de-energize a hybrid or electric vehicle's high-voltage system before body or structural work near HV cables and components.
- Refrigerant recovery
- The separate labor operation of removing, storing, and recharging air-conditioning refrigerant when the system is opened for condenser, line, or radiator repair.
- Repair versus replace
- A decision rule: repair when the panel can be restored to pre-loss condition within labor allowance; replace when creased, torn, structural, or when repair labor exceeds replacement.
- Overlap deduction
- A reduction applied when two priced operations share the same access, disassembly, or refinish area, so the shared labor is counted only once.
- One-time-use fasteners
- Clips, bolts, and adhesives the manufacturer specifies as non-reusable; their cost must be included whenever the related panel or component is removed.
- Corrosion protection restoration
- Reapplying primer, seam sealer, and cavity wax to welded, replaced, or disturbed areas to restore the factory's corrosion resistance after repair.
- Labor rate categories
- Separate hourly rates for body, refinish, frame, mechanical, and aluminum operations; each may differ and must be shown on the estimate.
- Refinish materials formula
- Paint and materials cost calculated per refinish hour, often adjusted by multipliers for color type, panel size, or three-stage finishes.
- Parts categories
- OEM new, OEM remanufactured, aftermarket (including CAPA-certified), salvage, and reconditioned; each carries different price, fit, and warranty.
- Betterment
- A charge to the customer for the increased value of a repair that improves the vehicle beyond its pre-loss condition, such as a new part replacing a worn one.
- Deductible line
- The portion of the covered loss the policyholder pays, shown separately on the estimate from the amount the insurer is responsible for.
- Supplement
- A documented addition to an approved estimate for damage discovered during teardown or repair, requiring approval before the additional work is performed.
- Total loss threshold
- The state-set rule determining when repair cost relative to actual cash value makes repair uneconomical; formulas vary by jurisdiction.
- Actual cash value
- The pre-loss market value of the vehicle, reflecting age, mileage, condition, and options; it is not the purchase price or the loan balance.
- Constructive total loss
- A total loss determined when repair cost plus salvage value exceeds actual cash value, even if repair cost alone is below the state threshold.
- Diminished value
- The reduction in a vehicle's market value after a proper repair because of its damage history; it is separate from and additional to repair cost.
- Repair authorization
- The customer's signed approval of the repair order and estimate, required before work begins and updated whenever the scope or cost changes.