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.




Toyota's Collision Damage Repair Precautions

When repairing a vehicle, there are several questions that always need to be answered before and during the repair process. Things like what parts can be straightened, can heat be used to straighten, what type of sectioning joint should be used, and precautions for welding are a few of the important questions. To aid in answering these questions Toyota/Lexus has a document that provides answers.

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Calibration After Windshield Replacement

The automotive glass industry had reached out to the Repairability Technical Support (RTS) team previously with questions on OEM glass replacement requirements. This led to the OEM Glass Replacement articles, which are available for free on the RTS Portal. Recently, the team was contacted again asking for clarification on when calibration is required, specifically with a windshield replacement.

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Subaru: Roof Molding Studs

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. When searching for repair procedures, knowing what to look for can save valuable time. Recently the Ask I-CAR team was asked, is there is a procedure for the roof molding bolts on a Subaru?

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Repairer Driven News: Toyota Battery Disconnect

The disconnecting and reconnecting (D&R) a battery is not as simple as it once may have been. An article recently published by Repairer Driven News (RDN) touches on the subject of battery D&R, specifically from Toyota. So, what does a repair technician need to know for battery D&R on Toyota vehicles?

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How Does the I-CAR OEM Linking Pin Process Work?

I-CAR launched its Repairability Technical Support (RTS) Portal in 2014 in response to the industry's need for a tool that could provide better, faster access to information for repairing today's vehicles. The RTS initiative includes the Ask I-CAR feature. This is where you are able to submit collision repair questions. But what happens when a procedure or answer to your question isn't readily available in the OEM information?

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Quickly Identifying Outer Quarter Panels w/Rolled Hem Flanges

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 constructed with a quarter panel rolled hem flange. The RTS Team is working to help you quickly identify if the vehicle you are repairing is constructed with a rolled hem flange. Starting with 2015 model year, when you check out the OEM Partial Part Replacement Search to find if procedures exist, you can see if the vehicle has a rolled hem flange.

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Tesla: Using Flow Form Rivets

Tesla covers flow form rivets in the vehicle-specific Tesla Collision Repair Procedures ➤ Approved Parts, Tools, And Supplies ➤ Using Flow Form Rivets. The document covers when to use flow form rivets, how to choose which rivet to use (along with part numbers), and how to prepare the panels for installation.

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OEM Linking Pin: Subaru Steering Columns

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. Recently we had a technical inquiry that asked, "Does the steering column require inspection after any type of collision, regardless if the airbag deployed?" We reached out to Subaru for clarification.

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