Total Automotive :: Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions
Home Page
Previous Page

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Does Total Automotive offer Incentives’ or Premiums?

Total Automotive, Inc. is committed to the highest ethical standards in all of our business transactions. This is not simply a statement, this is our business philosophy. Our belief is that the giving or receiving of gifts, no matter how well intended is wrong. This would result in inappropriate business decisions; compromising or embarrassing circumstances for our employees, customers and suppliers, as well as the perception of favoritism are some of the risks of such actions.

Our policy is simply that anything of value, (see list below) will not be solicited, or accepted by our employees. Compliance is a requirement of continued association with Total Automotive, Inc. for our suppliers. Our employees are very much aware that any violation of this policy is considered to be a grievous matter, as business related bribery is a punishable criminal offense.

(gifts, bribes, commissions, payments, kickbacks, loans, gratuities, use of facilities, tickets, accommodations, push money, finder’s fee, parts, hotel discounts, airline points, ect.)

How do you warranty your products?

We warranty all products purchased from Total Automotive, Inc. for a period of 12 months or 12,000 miles. We cover both the cost of the defective part as well as the billed hours it took to replace the part. We do require copies of both the original repair order and the new repair order. We may also request that the defective part be sent back to us for inspection. If the part is found to be defective, we will reimburse the custmer for any freight charges that may have been incurred by returning the defective part.

Do you offer custom packaging?

Yes, we offer custom packaging and labeling on some of our products. We can also package product in custom bags imprinted with your logos on them. Please call us with your requests and we’ll quote them based on your needs.

How are your parts packaged?

All of our parts are packaged and labeled with product descriptions. The labels will include any factory numbers for cross-referencing purposes. This makes it extremely easy and efficient for our customers to receive orders into stock.

prev testimonial

The hinge kits work great! We've tried all the rest and these at least, last. We have installed 24 deluxe hinge kits. They are easy to install and great service. Thanks Guys

Pittam Body Shop Inc.

Glen, just wanted to thank you for the recommendation of the door hinge replacement kits. What a marvelous product. 44 minutes start to finish on the first set I installed. Of course the trick is the tool. Makes what is sometimes a real tough job, seam like child's play. Door hinges have always been a tough repair/replacement job. These products really are easy to install, and the door aligns perfectly.

Look forward to future use of your products.

Dave Beck

Retail Customer

Florence, AL

Total Automotive Inc

A couple of days ago I came across your website through Yahoo as I was searching for a hinge kit to repair the driver’s door on my 2000 GMC Yukon XL. I watched your installation video and was really impressed with your product and how easy the installation appeared to be. I’ve done many repairs to various vehicles over the years and it’s been my experience that most jobs that I tackled in order to save a few dollars ended up being major projects resulting in a great deal of frustration and skinned knuckles. This is why I was a little skeptical when I watched the video on your website and the hinge replacement looked too easy to be true. I decided to give the kit a try and through great customer service help which started with a message on my home answering machine from Derek offering order assistance and through the order process with Glen, I ordered the kits and received them the next day as promised. About 1 hour after receiving my kits the job was done and I was washing up, it took me longer to hang the door from my rafters than it did to install the kits. As I’m typing this, I still cannot believe how easy the entire job was! The video was very helpful and the kit made installation extremely easy. I am also thankful for the pin removal tool which helped the job go very smoothly.

Thanks so much for the GREAT product and customer service!

Jerry Peterson

Retail Customer

Minneapolis, MN

Total Automotive Inc

I got the hinge kit installed without a hitch. The door swings beautifully and no effort is needed to close it. The installation took about 20 minutes. I had my friend hold the door while I did the repair, it was faster than rigging a rope to hold the door. The hardest part of the repair was getting the brackets aligned for the bolts, my handy awl did the trick. It’s tighter and lined up better than the $19 kits. With the design of y’alls bracket I expect less localized spot wear. You guys thread it all together!

Lee Hill

Hill’s Service

Austin, TX

Editors note: THIS WAS THE FOURTH REPAIR TO THIS PARTICULAR TRUCKS HINGES. THE FIRST 3 WERE DONE WITH THE NAPA KITS USING A WELDER. LEE HILLS DAY JOB IS AT THE TEXAS ANIMAL HEALTH COMMISSION.

Total Automotive, Inc

I have to say I was not to sure what the out come was going to be after this install for the first time. But I have to say it was fantastic. It could not of been any easier to do and it worked like a champ. This is one easy solution to a big problem.

FWB, Inc.

Had door pins replaced on a 2004 chevy silvarado 2500 by a body shop. They used the GM kits with a retainer ring. Door still sagged and hinges were still loose after spending $ 200. I was very dissatisfied. Went on the internet and found Total Automotive Hinge kit. Talked with Ron and ended up ordering 2 sets for driver door. I installed them myself in less than 40 minutes. What a difference!! Door fits right, no sag in hinges, hinges are like new again. Will continue to use this product in our other vehicles. I even went to the body shop that replaced my hinges, and they were amazed at the system.. They told me that they did a lot of hinge pin work, and wanted the info about Total Automotive Kits. Vic - Colorado River Supply, Arizona

Colorado River Supply

Thank you for a great product. The GM C/K hinge deluxe hinge pin repair kit worked just as advertised. I changed out the old worn out pins and got the new ones installed in just a few minutes. Great stuff. Just a couple of suggestions: 1: Include a door sticker (like the old oil change ones) to let future repair shops know about the hinge pin kit installed and where to get replacement parts. And 2: A possible modification to the pin extractor tool, either increase the diameter of the thread slightly, or include a sized 'washer' that would fit over the pin and could be used to push out the old bushing either during or after the pin is pushed out.

Brown Engineering

I purchased the Deluxe painted hinge kit for my GMC Sierra pickup truck after i bought 2 other brands. This one is the best design I have ever used let alone seen for these style hinges. Very easy install. Once installed the door was nice and solid, no play up and down. I give this product an A++ Thanks Total Automotive. Chris

Christopher Rice

Whoever designed the CK deluxe kits deserves hugs and kisses from me. It saves hours of labor and believe me, we've used them all. The Ford / Lincoln kits, unbelievable. NO MORE DASH REMOVALS!! The tool is a must. Great Products T/A. We went thru 1st. order with great success and reordering as I write. Thanks T/A Doug

Dixon Autobody Clinic Inc.

I have installed many diffrent brands of hinge kits, and have had trouble 1 to 12 monts down the road. THESE ONE'S REALLY WORK! Andy / Custom Image Auto Body

Custom Image Auto Body

These hinge kits are the best. they save me time in the spray booth and they have a custom look. Nick

Cotes Collision & Customs

These new hinge kits are a much better and quiker fix than just using pins and bushings. The tool that TA sells is also a must. You will want to keep an extra set in stock. Thanks TA Gary Miller Millrods Auto

Millrods Auto Refinishing

I just performed a hinge kit replacment on an 04 Silverado from a local fleet company with new new kits from Total Automotive which made me a happy man, because I already performed this same job 2 other times on the same truck and same door using the OTHER guys repair kits. Each time truck came in the door was falling off due to the pins being sideways and the bushings worn out. While installing the new kits from Total Automotive, I could tell this was going to be the last time this door came in for a pin kit unless they tore it off. The kit made it so easy to do and it felt great to lift up on the door and it not move. PLEASE , If you are going to replace the hinge pins and bushings, don't waste your money and time on the other kits. Get the kits from Total Automotine. Thanks Guys, James Shell Shell's Auto Paintsville KY

Shell's Auto & Truck Repair

The tool works great. It saves time and there is no damage to the hinge. The kit saves a lot of time because you don't have to paint them. As a whole, it made the job a money maker without any problems with the pins. GREAT HINGES, FIXED THE PROBLEM. Wayne Schmit RNS SERVICE Orrville OH

RNS Service

I had previously replaced my Factory hinges with some new pins and bushings from one of those big box stores. They helped a bit but after they wore out i got fed up with it. I stepped up to the Total Automotive Deluxe Repair Kits and they're all I will use in the future and I will be recommending them to all my friends. These kits Rock!!!

Sports Unlimited

We had used some of the other hinge pin repair kits available for the newer GM hinges, but they did not offer a long time solution. I was reluctant to purchase these kits because they cost more then the others I had used. However, after having nothing but problems with the cheap kits I decided it was worth the money to try these complete kits.It only took one truck for me to realize that you can't compare apples to oranges. I just wish I had seen the big picture before wasting money and especially time on those brand XXX repair kits.

Bonanza Motors

We've been using these kits for over a year and no comebacks so far,
great product and great service from Total Automotive

Lounsbury Chevrolet

A potential customer came in the shop 3-03-08 with a '03 GMC Yukon that had a problem with the left front door sealing aginst the body. Upon further investigation we found the wind had opened the door a little too far. With a little repair to the lt hinge pillar, the left frt door jamb and the help of a CK99UPKITL, we had the door closing and fitting just like a new one. The owner was very pleased and then told us the rest of the story. HE HAD BEEN TO THE GM DEALER WHERE HE BOUGHT THE YUKON FROM 3 TIMES WITH NO ANSWER TO THE DOOR PROBLEM!!! 3 TIMES TO NO SATISFACTION!! He had been told that "this is as good as it gets".
Thanks to Total Automotive we now have a new customer.

Crossroads Collision

We traveled 1760 miles to meet Total Automotive, located only 90 miles away from us. Discovered these door Hinge Kits at the NACE Convention 2007, and WOW what a diference THEY are. Very Pleased, We used up our first 6 kits and we will continue to use these kits. Thanks Glen

Thanks Loren Pundsack

Loren Pundsack

I bought kit #BSP-TAI-FDHK02 for my 96 Town Car. It took about a hour a door, including final adjustments. I didn't have to take the dash out to take off the hinge, I unbolted the door moved it over on a jack, replaced the pin and reinstalled the door. The cost factor was what made this inpressive, each hinge cost $80.00 x 4 and that is not including the cost of labor 2 hours vers. x number of hours. The tool worked great and with the mix of bushings makes it a easy to do the work.
THANKS Frank

Frank Long

WOW! IF YOU EVER HAD TO DO A OEM HINGE REPLACEMENT ON A GM TRUCK YOU WILL KNOW WHAT I MEAN. THE PEOPLE THAT PUT THE EFORT INTO MAKING THIS HINGE KIT ARE THE BEST I 'VE EVER WORKED WITH .THE HINGE KIT WORKED SO WELL IT ALMOST PUT IT SELF ON .THANKS FOR TAKING THE TIME TO DO IT RIGHT. REGARDS REX @ REX AUTO BODY INC. McHENRY IL.

Rex Auto Body Inc.

Burl and Nick Ives from IVES AUTO PARTS-COLLISION SERVICES of Tecumseh, Michigan love Total Automotive GM Door Hinge KIts. "They make us a lot of money because of quality and ease of installation". We make lots of money on the labor because Nick has figured out a way to install the kits without totally removing the doors!! Customers tell us their doors open and shut better than when the truck was new.

Ives Auto Parts

Mark

North Country Auto Body Inc.

Hugo Minnesota

We were searching for a better hinge pin for Chevrolet Savanna Van cargo doors. Our fleet clients were breaking hinges due to rusted hinge pins. Total Automotive’s; Greaseable hinge pins are fantastic our clients now have us upgrading their van hinge pins on all their vans. Now we are purchasing all of Total Automotive hinge repair kits. Top quality all the way.

North Country Auto Body

THANKS TO WALT SNYDER FROM SNYDER COLLISION I WOULD HAVE NOT KNOW ABOUT THE GREAT HINGES YOU SELL.
THANK YOU SO MUCH.

Snyder Collision Inc.

We have just used our first hinge kit "TAI-FDHK02" here recently and as a Body Shop Manager, I was extremly pleased. There is nothing worse than having to take apart a dashboard to replace the body side of a hinge. The tech involved in the rebuild was extremly pleased with the ease and quickness of using the kit. We will definitly be using more of these in the future.
Angeles Collision Repair
Port Angeles, WA.

Angelas Collision

Wed 8/8/2007 THANKS AGAIN FOR YOUR HELP WITH OUR DOOR HINGE PROBLEM. THE DELUXE HINGE KIT MADE THE JOB SO EASY. START TO FINISH TAKES ONLY MINUTES INSTEAD OF HOURS. THE PIN REMOVAL TOOL IS A MUST HAVE FOR ANY REPAIR SHOP. GREAT PRODUCT. THANK YOU AGAIN FOR ALL OF YOUR HELP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! FRANK HUFF, WA HAZEL CONSTRUCTION COMPANY

William A Hazel

WE WERE INSTALLING HINGE PINS ON A 2005 CHEV TRUCK WE PURCHASED FROM WURTH, ONE OF THE PINS SNAPPED OFF WHILE INSTALLING THEM, SO WE TRIED A TOTAL AUTOMOTIVE KIT I WAS GIVEN AT NACE LAST YEAR. WHAT A DIFFERENCE, WE WILL NEVER USE ANYTHING ELSE, IT WAS FASTER AND MUCH BETTER QUALITY.
THANK YOU TOTAL AUTOMOTIVE,
BOB FILANOWSKI
BODY SHOP MGR
DOWNEAST TOYOTA COLLISION CENTER
BREWER, MAINE

Down East Toyota (Body Shop)

I have an 2003 GMC 1Ton tow truck with close to 300,000 miles on it and the door was about to fall off! We have tried other fixes for the problem but nothing has worked. I heard about this hinge kit through a friiend so I tried it out. I thought what could it hurt? The door works like new I can't believe it! I think this repair is better than buying the new factory hinges!

Chase Towing & Transport Inc

Your Deluxe Kits are definately the way to make this repair! They are far better than the knurled kits, good job TA.
Jeff
Sterling,co.

Holloway Toyota Chevy Buick

Dearing Body Shop, Forrest City AR
We have used your Deluxe Hinge Kits and are pleased with them. The GM kit we tried to use was thrown over our back.
The GM hinge kit did what they said it would do. We will be ordering more from these folks, you have a great product.
Thank You
Larry Dearing

Dearing Body Shop

KITS WERE DELIVERED AS PROMISED ,SIMPLE EASY DIRECTIONS WOULD TAKE AN ACT OF CONGRESS TO HAVE ME LOOK AT OR USE A COMPETORS KIT. CUSTOMER FOR LIFE & FRIEND DEAN CLABORN CLABORN MECHANICAL CUST. # 106351

Claborn Mechanical

We have been very pleased with the hinge repair kits we have used from Total Automotive. Our shop is in a rural area and we repair a lot of trucks. My techs make short work out of a hinge repair. I have been very pleased with the staff at Total Automotive. They are always ready to help. Thanks, Jerry Herren

Herren Autobody

Herren Auto Body

Your GM hinge kits work great. I own a repair shop and have found that your Deluxe Hinge Pin Kits work better than any others I have used.
Thanks Jeff Harmon
Automotive Enterprise Cookeville,Tn.

Automotive Enterprise,LLC

Hey Troy,

The CK99L-8624 Deluxe hinge repair kit is awsome! We had the drivers door on our 1999 Silverado back working like new in just a couple of hours. Not bad for a Sunday afternoon father/son project. Just wanted to say that the pin removal tool made all the difference and thanks again for recommending it!

Best Regards,

A.Y. Brown Jr
Statesboro, GA

A.Y. Brown Jr

Total automotive was very helpful & informational for 99 & up GM truck hinge kits. This product works great! Will definatly use these hinge kits again.
Thanks Total auto, Mark

Joes Body Shop

PRIOR TO USING TA'S HINGE REPAIR KIT WE HAD ALREADY USED THE COMPETETORS HINGE PIN REPAIR KIT. THIS IS ON OUR 2000 SIERRA PARTS DELIVERY TRUCK. WHEN THE ORIGINAL COMPETETORS KIT WAS USED WE EVEN SNAPPED OFF ONE OF THE PINS TRYING TO SEAT IT PROPERLY IN THE HINGE. THAT REPAIR ONLY LASTED ABOUT A YEAR. OUR DELIVERY TRUCK MAKES ABOUT 40-50 STOPS PER DAY. ABOUT 3-MONTHS AFTER THE FIRST REPAIR WE STARTED TO NOTICE SAG ON THE DOOR BUT IT HAS BEEN ABOUT 3-MONTHS NOW SINCE THE USE OF THE TA HINGE KIT AND THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO EVIDENCE OF SAG. SURE WISH WE WOULDNT HAVE WASTED TIME AND MONEY ON THE COMPETETORS PIN KIT THE FIRST TIME AROUND.

Jennings Pontiac Buick GMC

Yor GM Deluxe Hinge Kits are a GREAT design. Head and shoulders above the plain kits "Knurl style pins" of the past!!! Also, the Hinge Pin Removal tool makes short work of a once tedious job. Keep up the good work!
Rick

CLIFF ANSCHUETZ CHEV-CADILLAC

The body shop says "these newly designed hinge kits are a nice improvement from old style fix. We've had 100% customer satisfaction with these kits not to mention a big savings to customer." The body shop has had no problems with any of the installations.

Regester Chevrolet Inc

Your hinge repair kits are the best. We have used the other kits but they are not even close to the quality of yours. They are easy to install and it takes about 1/2 hr. per door assy. The pin removal tool also works greats. Glen, thanks for all the information on the hinge kits & other items.

Midway Pontiac Chevrolet Buick

Thank you guys for a very impressive solution To GM's bad engineering design. The Deluxe Kit was even better in quality then expected, which was a nice surprise. Ease of installation, and smooth door operation once installed. Our first kit install only took about one hour for upper and lower driver side on a 2000 Silverado. The customer was very pleased with the turn around time and the quality of your product.

THANKS VERY MUCH
DEREK SUMMERS
FANUCCI AUTO BODY INC

Fanucci Auto Body Inc.

THIS IS ONE OF THE NICEST PRODUCTS I HAVE USED, HIGH QUALITY STEEL PARTS AND SUPER EASY INSTALLATION. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS PRODUCT TO ANY SHOP.

JASON GOTZ

Wheel Way GM

I ordered the New Greaseable Pin Kit #20832 for GM Cargo Van Doors. I cannot say enough to express my total satisfaction with this product. The procedure was relatively simple, and the results phenomenal. I just told my customer to have the pins greased every time he goes to Jiffy Lube. This sure seems to be a low cost cure compared to the price of a four hinge replacement bill. I have done the hinge replacement in the past, only to have those pins freeze as well. Thanks for another great product Total Automotive!!!!!! Dennis Reppucci,Reppucci Auto Restoration. Wilmington MA.

Reppucci Auto Restoration

RON CONVINCED ME TO BUY THE DELUXE KITS INSTEAD OF THE BASIC KITS, NOW WE WON'T INSTALL ANYTHING ELSE! GREAT PRODUCT! DARIN@HITTLE PONTIAC BUICK CAD GMC INC.

Hittle Pontiac Cadillac GMC

YOU SAID THESE WOULD WORK WELL. THEY WORK GREAT!!! I WOULD RECOMMEND THEM TO ANYONE. THANKS TA!
GREG
YUMA, CO

KORF CONTINENTAL

The best thing since sliced bread !!!!!! saves time and money. The tool worked great.
Ric Keranen Harris Chevrolet

Brian Harris Chevrolet

Used the hinge repair kits for the first time, they worked just like they said would Stan, Body Shop, Brost Chevrolet, Crookston MN

Brost Chevrolet Cadillac Inc

Hinge Kit worked Great. It took longer to take the door off than it took to install kit. Customer service Is Great ****

Buckys's LTD

At strong chevrolet-buick-pontiac we have used the hinge kits with great success. The techs tell us that these kits have saved them time, and have less breakage than other kits. Customer satisfacion and labor savings appear to be significantly better than other companies kits.
thank you. Larry Bartlett, parts manager.

Strong Chevrolet-Buick-Pontiac Inc.

THE TOTAL AUTOMOTIVE HINGE KITS ARE THE ONLY WAY TO REPAIR GM DOOR HINGES,THEY ARE ALOT MORE STABLE THAN THE OTHER PIN KITS THAT ARE JUST REPLACING THE PINS AND A WHOLE LOT CHEAPER THAN REPLACING THE WHOLE HINGE, AND IT MAKES IT NICE THAT YOU CAN ORDER THE COLOR YOU NEED, AND A GREAT COMPANY TO DO BUSINESS WITH. PAT'S AUTO, INC. PATRICK C. BRENNAN

Pat's

What a time saver, I use to hate repairing door hinges now it's an easy way to make $$$. Thanks Will @ Will's Paint& Body.

Will's Body & Paint

Hello, Rick Schilling!
My name is Graham Williams, I purchased your CK99UPKITL hinge repair kit for the drivers door on my 2000 Chevy Tahoe. I would like to say that everything that we spoke about on the phone was the correct information. The door pins went in smoothly and tightened up as you described. The door now closes just like new. Another not is I'm not even a mechanic by trade, I'm a paramedic, so this can be a testament to your product that if the instructions are followed you too can repair your door hinges. Thanks again for you help and it only took me 45 minutes to do both hinges.

Graham Williams

We have used your deluxe kits and previously a couple of your competitor's kits. Yours are hands down the better product! The repair with your kit was so easy and the tool
you provided us with made taking out the old pins a piece of cake!
We've had trouble drawing the pins into the bracket with the other kits and even snapped a couple of them in half!
With yours they just screw right in and I can easily go back in and replace the bushings if they wear out again in the future. Your service was great and your staff was very
helpful!!! Thanks

Harold C Ralph Chevrolet

OUR TECHS WERE SO IMPRESSED BY YOUR KITS
THEY WANT TO SELL THEM TO CUSTOMERS AS
MAINTENENCE
DAN C WIMBERLEY
DOWAGIAC MI

C WIMBERLEY INC

Before we found the Total Automtive Hinge kits, we repaired a customers hinges using oem parts. The total bill was over $800.00 and it was a job the techs hated to do. With the Deluxe Hinge kit, we were able to do the same job for a cost of nearly 75% less to the customer and the tecs loved using the Total Automotive Hinge Kits.

Chevrolet of Wasilla

THESE HINGE PIN KITS HAVE SAVED US MORE TIME AND EFFORT THAN ALMOST ANY OTHER AFTERMARKET PRODUCT THAT WE HAVE EVER USED. OUR CUSTOMERS ARE VERY HAPPY BECAUSE THEY GET A QUALITY JOB AT A MUCH LOWER COST AND IT LEAVES US PLENTY OF ROOM TO MAKE A PROFIT.

DAVE GATES
AUTO MALL

Auto Mall Inc.

It was neat ! The tool just pressed out those old pins and those new brackets just slipped right in. Just like Glen said.

Davidson-Gebhart Chevrolet Subaru

The Deluxe kit was so easy to install. The first time I did the repair it took me about 35 minutes. It's so much simpler than installing the whole body side hinge.

Trapp Cadillac Chevrolet

This is a great time saving system. I would never go back to the ken-co kits. I returned them on your buy back program for credit against your deluxe kits, what a great program. The tool makes the whole repair, and it's the main reason the repair goes so smoothly. We are even doing them in the service dept. now, not just in the bodyshop because they don't need to be painted!

Carriage Motor Co.

next testimonial

View all product testimonials | Submit your own testimonial