Working With Boron-Alloyed Steel - Removal (Drilling)
- Posted on 05 June 2014
To drill or not to drill, that is the question or more appropriately "how do I drill boron-alloyed steel so I don't keep going through drill bits?" Many of us have asked ourselves this when working with boron-alloyed steel or ultra-high-strength steel (UHSS).
Product Maker Information On OEM Technical Information Matrix
- Posted on 03 June 2014
There are an increasing number of materials being used in vehicles to help make them safer and create a quieter passenger compartment. Foam fillers, seam sealers, and adhesives often help accomplish this. It is impossible to see the location of all of these materials simply by looking at the outside of the vehicle. Not to mention, when you look at a product maker's catalog, there are many different options for replacement materials. So the question is: where do I find this information to repair the vehicle properly?
MIG Brazing What Is It, Why Should I Use It?
- Posted on 02 June 2014
Why MIG Brazing?
It is widely known that GMA welded; fully galvanized steel will lose some of its properties, including corrosion protection, due to the heat created during welding. OEMs are starting to counter this problem by using MIG brazing along with "stitch" and "skip" methods to control the heat. However, MIG brazing should only be done in areas specified by an OEM procedure. With MIG brazing, the lower heat input burns away a minimal amount of the zinc corrosion protection (galvanizing) adjacent to the weld (see Figure 1).
What's A Mercedes-Benz Outer Side Longitudinal Member?
- Posted on 30 May 2014
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.
Do I Really Have To Follow Vehicle Maker Recommendations?
- Posted on 29 May 2014
It's just a recommendation, if they wanted me to follow it, they would call it a requirement, right? Wrong!
Working With Boron-Alloyed Steel - Identification
- Posted on 26 May 2014
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.
What Is This Vehicle Made Of, And Can It Be Fixed?
- Posted on 22 May 2014
With the use of advanced materials constantly increasing, it is hard to know where to start. I-CAR has addressed the first step to this common issue with the first two columns in the OEM Technical Information Matrix: the Body Construction Materials Identification column and the Body Construction Material Repair Guidelines column. Let's take a brief look at each one.
Weld Bonding Required on FCA/Stellantis Vehicles
- Posted on 20 May 2014
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."
Cosmetic Repairs To Aluminum Exterior Panels
- Posted on 20 May 2014
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?
How Do Vehicle Design Engineers Learn What The Collision Industry Needs?
- Posted on 15 May 2014
On May 14th 2014 I-CAR's Steve Marks gave a presentation at Great Designs in Steel. In this presentation Steve gave a brief status of the current state of the collision repair industry, highlighting some of the common challenges in everyday collision repairs.
What's A Ford Lap-Joint Backer Plate?
- Posted on 13 May 2014
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?
OEM Linking Pin: Did You Think That Ford Was Allowing General Sectioning?
- Posted on 09 May 2014
"NOTE: The following steps provide a general guideline for replacement of body structure components. Refer to exploded views for specific component and assembly information." Additionally Ford says "Where possible, create a backer piece using a portion of the old panel. This will create a stronger joint."
I-CAR Has Your Key To Success - The OEM Technical Information Matrix
- Posted on 07 May 2014
When going through a collision repair manual, it is important to know what the symbols and colors mean. The same holds true when using the I-CAR developed OEM Collision Repair Information Matrix. Let's take a closer look at the key that identifies the status of each vehicle maker on the I-CAR developed OEM Technical Information Matrix.
What's A BMW/Mini Engine Support?
- Posted on 07 May 2014
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.
The I-CAR OEM Technical Information Matrix - What Is It, And How Does It Help The Collision Industry?
- Posted on 06 May 2014
Do you know what vehicle makers have collision repair information available? Do you know where you can go to find that out?
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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.
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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...
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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...
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Honda/Acura Position Statement: Pre- and Post-Repair System Scanning - UPDATE
Wednesday, 22 May 2019
Honda /Acura have updated their position statement on pre- and post-repair scanning to give more clarification on what is expected for scanning.
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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.
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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...
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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...
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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.
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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.
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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...
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Film Thickness Gauge For Plastic Parts - Is It Worth The Investment?
Friday, 26 April 2024
Film thickness gauges continue to be a valuable tool in the collision industry. Most shops have gauges that work with both ferrous and non-ferrous substrates. So, should shops invest in a film...
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Body Shop Business: EV Intake Process
Wednesday, 24 April 2024
Body Shop Business has released an article highlighting the importance of the electric vehicle (EV) intake process.
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Repairer Driven News: Matte Clearcoat Challenges
Monday, 22 April 2024
Repairer Driven News (RDN) has released an article highlighting the challenges of matte and semi-gloss clearcoat.
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I-CAR Just In Time: EV Repair Tips
Wednesday, 17 April 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...
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I-CAR RTS App
Monday, 15 April 2024
Looking for another tool for your toolbox? An informational guide at your fingertips? Well, the I-CAR Repairability Technical Support (RTS) app is what you are looking for!
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Repairer Driven News: ADAS Radar Optimized Paint Color Resources
Friday, 12 April 2024
Changes in advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) radar technology are introducing new refinishing considerations. Paint film thickness not only may affect the performance of ADAS radars, color...
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Back-To-Basics: Window Tab Retractor
Thursday, 11 April 2024
Sometimes going back-to-basics can make the difference between a quality repair and a failed repair. Window regulators have evolved over the years, most now using a clip type retaining method. With...
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High-Voltage Vehicle Paint Booth Quick Reference
Tuesday, 9 April 2024
When refinishing high-voltage (HV) vehicles, it is important to check for OEM paint booth temperature recommendations so that HV components do not get damaged in the heat.
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Ford On Target 2024: Volume 1
Friday, 5 April 2024
Ford has released the first installment of their On Target publication for 2024.
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3M Offers SOP And Process Hands-On Training and Skill Development
Thursday, 4 April 2024
The 3M Skills Development Center is a 15,000 sq ft facility where technicians can take a Body Repair Course or Paint Prep and Refinish Course. Both courses are majority hands-on of standard...
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