Back-To-Basics: Repair Tolerances

Submit a new collision repair question here!

Back-To-Basics: Repair Tolerances

Posted on 20 April 2020 | Share: |

Sometimes going back-to-basics can make the difference between a quality repair and a failed repair. When it comes to straightening and repairing a vehicle back to specification, there are a few things to keep in mind.

Repairing a vehicle to the proper specifications helps to ensure that all panels, suspension, drivetrain parts, etc. fit properly. This will help ensure any required alignments and/or calibrations can be completed. Newer vehicles have a tighter tolerance than what you may see on older vehicles of the same model. In the past, the often heard “+/- 3 mm or +/- 5 mm” is no longer accurate for all vehicles. Vehicle makers often provide specific measurements that need to be met and not a repair tolerance range. Measuring points of a vehicle should be checked often during the repair process, as well as test fitting panels.

Newer vehicles are often constructed with non-adjustable door hinges, suspension mounting locations, and sensor mounting locations. This means that if the rest of the vehicle is not repaired to OEM measurements or specifications, the non-adjustable components may not fit properly, function as designed, or may affect the operation of other systems. Always follow OEM procedures and use up-to-date measuring systems/software to help ensure a complete, safe, and quality repair.

Additional I-CAR Collision Repair News you may find helpful:

Related I-CAR Courses

Toyota/Lexus/Scion Position Statement: Pre- and Post-Repair System Scanning Thursday, 28 July 2016
As the industry continues to ask if pre- and post-repair system scanning is necessary, Toyota/Lexus/Scion provides their answer.
Pre- and Post-Repair System Scanning Position Statements Wednesday, 9 January 2019
Are you wondering if a particular OEM or organization has a published position statement on pre-repair and post-repair scanning? We have compiled a list of most of the position statements on the...
ADAS, Calibration, And Scanning Article Hotspot Monday, 14 January 2019
Since advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), scanning, and calibration first started becoming relevant, members of the collision repair industry have required as much knowledge as possible on...
Honda/Acura Position Statement: Pre- and Post-Repair System Scanning - UPDATE Wednesday, 22 May 2019
Honda /Acura has updated their position statement on pre- and post-repair scanning to give more clarification on what is expected for scanning.
Restraints Wiring Repairs Monday, 23 May 2016
Over the past few months, we've been sharing OEM position statements on restraints wiring repairs. Now we're bringing them all together in one place for easy reference.
Typical Calibration Requirements For Blind Spot Sensors Wednesday, 19 October 2016
Technicians should be aware of what’s required to keep advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) running safely after a collision. Whether that be aiming a camera, which can cause a system to not...
General Motors Position Statement: Pre- and Post-Repair System Scanning Friday, 21 October 2016
As the industry continues to ask, are pre- and post-repair scans necessary, General Motors provides their answer.
Typical Calibration Requirements For Forward Radar Sensors Wednesday, 12 October 2016
Technicians should be aware of what’s required to keep advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) running safely after a collision. Whether that be aiming a camera, which can cause a system to not...
FCA/Stellantis Position Statement: Pre- and Post-Repair System Scanning Thursday, 9 June 2016
FCA/Stellantis has released a position statement related to pre- and post-repair system scanning.
Quickly Identifying Outer Quarter Panels w/Rolled Hem Flanges Monday, 5 March 2018
The I-CAR best practice article, Recycled Outer Quarter Panels w/Rolled Hem Flanges has gotten a lot of interest from the collision repair industry. It’s important to know which vehicles are...

I-CAR Repairers Realm: Paint Color Matching Challenges - Coming Soon Friday, 17 May 2024
I-CAR is having a discussion on the challenges of paint color matching.
Honda Has Released The 2024 Prologue Body Repair News Wednesday, 15 May 2024
Honda has released a Body Repair News bulletin for the 2024 Honda Prologue. This document provides relevant information at a glance for this new model which was co-developed with General Motors (GM).
Acura Has Released The New 2024 ZDX Body Repair News Wednesday, 15 May 2024
Acura has released a Body Repair News bulletin for the 2024 Acura ZDX. This document provides relevant information at a glance for this new model which was co-developed with General Motors (GM).
GM Repair Insights: Spring 2024 Monday, 13 May 2024
The spring edition of General Motors (GM) Repair Insights magazine is now available.
OEM Linking Pin: Kia Outer Uniside Sectioning Friday, 10 May 2024
As part of the I-CAR Repairability Technical Support (RTS) OEM linking pin activity, we are helping to connect the collision repair industry to the vehicle makers. We’ve had technical inquiries that...
Calibration Research Tips: Nissan/INFINITI - Bumper Cover Replaced With Sonar Sensor Holder Thursday, 9 May 2024
While searching for information on advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) on an OEM repair information site, you may come across unique calibration procedures or events. These events can vary by...
I-CAR Just In Time: Lineman’s Glove Testing Tuesday, 7 May 2024
Sometimes seeing is understanding, that’s why I-CAR's technical team created the Just in Time video series to guide you through a variety of collision repair topics from ADAS and EVs to repair tips...
OEM Emergency Response Guides: BMW/Mini Thursday, 2 May 2024
Are you looking for OEM emergency response guides (ERGs)? The Repairability Technical Support (RTS) team has located these guides and either houses them on the RTS website, provides links to...
I-CAR Ford Mach-E Collision Repair And Electromechanical Repair Courses Wednesday, 1 May 2024
I-CAR has developed courses for the Ford Mustang Mach-E, a general collision repair overview and a course that covers electromechanical repair.
I-CAR Repairers Realm: Controlling Static During Refinishing - Now Available Tuesday, 30 April 2024
I-CAR had a discussion on controlling static during refinishing.

2024
- May 2024 (9)
- April 2024 (12)
- March 2024 (12)
- February 2024 (12)
- January 2024 (10)

2023
- December 2023 (8)
- November 2023 (13)
- October 2023 (11)
- September 2023 (11)
- August 2023 (12)
- July 2023 (9)
- June 2023 (12)
- May 2023 (12)
- April 2023 (11)
- March 2023 (12)
- February 2023 (10)
- January 2023 (11)

2022
- December 2022 (11)
- November 2022 (12)
- October 2022 (11)
- September 2022 (13)
- August 2022 (11)
- July 2022 (10)
- June 2022 (13)
- May 2022 (11)
- April 2022 (12)
- March 2022 (10)
- February 2022 (11)
- January 2022 (13)

2021
- December 2021 (13)
- November 2021 (12)
- October 2021 (13)
- September 2021 (15)
- August 2021 (12)
- July 2021 (15)
- June 2021 (17)
- May 2021 (14)
- April 2021 (14)
- March 2021 (21)
- February 2021 (15)
- January 2021 (14)

2020
- December 2020 (13)
- November 2020 (17)
- October 2020 (12)
- September 2020 (14)
- August 2020 (11)
- July 2020 (18)
- June 2020 (16)
- May 2020 (14)
- April 2020 (20)
- March 2020 (12)
- February 2020 (14)
- January 2020 (14)

2019
- December 2019 (13)
- November 2019 (19)
- October 2019 (25)
- September 2019 (20)
- August 2019 (22)
- July 2019 (23)
- June 2019 (21)
- May 2019 (19)
- April 2019 (20)
- March 2019 (21)
- February 2019 (21)
- January 2019 (18)

2018
- December 2018 (19)
- November 2018 (19)
- October 2018 (17)
- September 2018 (16)
- August 2018 (21)
- July 2018 (20)
- June 2018 (21)
- May 2018 (17)
- April 2018 (19)
- March 2018 (22)
- February 2018 (16)
- January 2018 (20)

2017
- December 2017 (13)
- November 2017 (15)
- October 2017 (19)
- September 2017 (20)
- August 2017 (20)
- July 2017 (18)
- June 2017 (23)
- May 2017 (20)
- April 2017 (14)
- March 2017 (18)
- February 2017 (11)
- January 2017 (13)

2016
- December 2016 (9)
- November 2016 (14)
- October 2016 (21)
- September 2016 (11)
- August 2016 (11)
- July 2016 (8)
- June 2016 (13)
- May 2016 (10)
- April 2016 (11)
- March 2016 (12)
- February 2016 (11)
- January 2016 (8)

2015
- December 2015 (9)
- November 2015 (8)
- October 2015 (9)
- September 2015 (7)
- August 2015 (11)
- July 2015 (10)
- June 2015 (8)
- May 2015 (8)
- April 2015 (9)
- March 2015 (8)
- February 2015 (9)
- January 2015 (10)

2014
- December 2014 (12)
- November 2014 (7)
- October 2014 (11)
- September 2014 (10)
- August 2014 (9)
- July 2014 (12)
- June 2014 (9)
- May 2014 (14)
- April 2014 (9)
- March 2014 (6)
- February 2014 (1)
- January 2014 (27)

Hyundai	Does Hyundai have a sectioning procedure available?
Kia	Does Kia have a sectioning procedure available?
Chevrolet	Does Chevrolet have a warning against sectioning when there is no procedure?
BMW	Can I-CAR send me BMW repair procedures?
Hyundai	Does Hyundai have part replacement procedures available?
Honda	What does Honda say about repairing damaged airbag system wiring harnesses?
Mercedes-Benz	Can I-CAR send me Mercedes-Benz repair procedures?
Honda	What does Honda say about straightening front lower rails?
Subaru	Do you have to replace a front passenger airbag on a Subaru even if the airbag did not deploy? The repair information seems to indicate that it should.
Nissan	Is there a wiring repair procedure for the airbag connector?

Back-To-Basics: Repair Tolerances

Related I-CAR Courses

Top Ten Vehicle Specific Questions

Top Ten I-CAR Specific Questions