Collision Repair News

Your job requires that you keep on top of the latest in vehicle, tool, and equipment technology – I-CAR is committed to helping you do so in one convenient place. We regularly publish new articles highlighting the latest and greatest collision repair information.

So check back often and follow us on Twitter @Ask_ICAR to ensure you’re equipped with the most up-to-date collision repair technical information available in the industry.



Working With Boron-Alloyed Steel - Identification

Knowing whether or not a part is made of boron-alloyed steel is important for repairs and replacement. OEM repair information is the best source to identify if a part is UHSS.decisions. The location of the part can be used to determine if the part is likely to be an ultra-high-strength steel (UHSS) part. However, part location is not definitive, the part could be boron-alloyed steel or it could be a part that is below 600MPa steel. The location will help to prompt further research into straightening, sectioning, or replacing at factory seams. Steel identification may also help determine removal and attachment methods.

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Weld Bonding Required on FCA/Stellantis Vehicles

So you've got a Chrysler sitting in your repair facility and a service part, but no installation procedure. What do you do? On any other steel vehicle, you would duplicate the original attachment method and plug welds are ok, but not a Chrysler. A while ago (August 14, 2013 to be exact) FCA/Stellantis released the collision bulletin, Welded Sheet Metal Repairs and Replacements, that changed the way that their vehicles should be repaired. In this bulletin it states that: "weld bonding of replacement panels is the recommended installation method to utilize when repairing Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, Jeep, or Ram vehicles."

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Cosmetic Repairs To Aluminum Exterior Panels

Repairing mild steel body panels with collision damage is nothing new. Using hammers, dollies, and picks when access to the backside is obtainable is a very common practice for straightening. With areas of limited access to the backside, using a weld-on dent puller for straightening is also quite common. So why does this change when dealing with an aluminum exterior panel?

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What's A Ford Lap-Joint Backer Plate?

In your recent pursuit of late-model Ford sectioning information, you've scanned past the term "lap-joint backer plate" in their body repair manuals. Wait a minute, pause, rewind, what is a lap-joint backer plate and how do you make that?

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What's A BMW/Mini Engine Support?

When it comes to repair information, vehicle makers use a wide variety of terminology for replacement parts. All of the different names can be confusing, especially when repairing a variety of vehicle makes and models.

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Have You Ever Had A Vehicle With A Damaged Cowl?

A cowl may also be referred to as a firewall or dash panel. It is common for cowls to be multi-piece parts. Typically, if the part is sold by the vehicle maker, it can be replaced as supplied. A cowl may have one or multiple layers of sheet metal. When this type of part is replaced, make sure to maintain the same panel layering as the original part.

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It's Not Just A Flashlight

How do you use a 3M™ Sun Gun™ to evaluate color? Do you just shine it straight at the panel like you would any old flashlight? Did you know that there is a procedure for getting the best results?

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