![Figure 1 - When welding the sectioning joints on the 2013 Ford Taurus inner front lower rail, the weld is made from the inside.](/images/crn/12387.jpg)
I-CAR Training and Certification: Steel Sectioning Course Updated
- Posted on 07 November 2013
To help the industry be better prepared for repairing new vehicles, I-CAR has updated the Training and Certification: Steel Sectioning. With the changes to vehicles happening daily from new materials, thinner materials, new technologies, and new repair procedures, collision repair technicians have had to update their skills to repair the new vehicles.
![Figure 1 - This colored illustration shows the materials and strengths of steel used on the 2014 Acura MDX. (Photo courtesy of American Honda Motor Co, Inc.)](/images/crn/Honda_fig_01.jpg)
New Honda "Body Repair News" Publication
- Posted on 16 August 2013
A new free publication from Honda features body repair information on their new models. The first two editions of Body Repair News are now available on Honda's Service Express website. The premier publication in the series focuses on new model body repair information for the 2014 Acura MDX and the second edition covers the 2013 Honda Accord. Subsequent Body Repair News editions will be created, or updated, for each new model and any minor model change where significant body design changes are made.
![Figure 1 - Shown is the locations where 1,500 MPa parts are found on the 2013 Accord sedan structure. (Photo courtesy of American Honda Motor Co, Inc.)](/images/crn/12388.jpg)
MIG Brazing on the 2013 Honda Accord
- Posted on 17 July 2013
If you haven't been exposed to MIG brazing yet, it's likely that you will be in the not-too-distant future. More and more popular vehicles are requiring MIG brazing for attaching certain high-strength steel (HSS) parts when making collision repairs. An example of this is on the 2013 Honda Accord.
OSHA Hazard Communication Standard Revision
- Posted on 09 May 2013
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is requiring that all employees be trained, by December 1st of 2013, on the revision to its Hazard Communication Standard. The revision to the 1994 standard more closely aligns with the Globally Harmonized System (GHS), an international approach to labeling and classifying hazardous products.
![Figure 1 - This cross-section of an installed blind rivet shows that a major part of the strength of the joint is the rivet head.](/images/crn/991.jpg)
Dressing GMA Welds
- Posted on 03 April 2013
There's a lot of information in the field on making and testing GMA welds, but not too much on dressing the welds after they're made on a vehicle. Any GMA weld usually requires dressing the top surface of the weld.
Front Lower Rail Section With No Welding
- Posted on 27 February 2013
If there is a sectioning procedure on a front lower rail, GMA welding across a seam is the usual method for attaching the new joint. On at least two late model Porsche vehicles, however, there is a front lower rail sectioning procedure that uses no welds at all. The rails on the Panamera, since 2010, and the 911, since 2012, both have aluminum construction.
![Figure 1 - The estimator is working with a disassembly technician at the vehicle, as it is being disassembled.](/images/crn/3030.jpg)
Necessary Culture Changes For The Blueprinting Process
- Posted on 03 December 2012
Blueprinting is a term often heard in the collision repair industry. Blueprinting means different things to different people, but blueprinting really is establishing a standard operating procedure (SOP) that allows for the discovery of all the damage before repairs begin. As part of the blueprinting process, all the parts should be identified right down to the blend panels and the clips that are needed. The correct repair information should be found along with any color matching that needs to be done. Following these steps and others, before repairs begin, will eliminate the problems that arise from finding additional damage during the repair process, which can interrupt and delay the repairs on that vehicle. Worse yet, is when the vehicle is repaired incorrectly because vehicle maker repair procedures were not followed.
One of the biggest challenges to implementing the blueprinting process may be the staff's perception of what will be involved. To be successful, those perceptions must be changed.
![Figure 1 - This is the eAssist system on the 2012 Buick LaCrosse.](/images/crn/12389.jpg)
General Motors eAssist Electric System
- Posted on 11 October 2012
Another version of electric-assist vehicle technology is showing up in collision repair facilities. General Motors in 2012 introduced what it refers to as "light electrification" technology on select models. This system is called eAssist, and is available on some 2012 Buick LaCrosse, Regal, and 2013 Chevrolet Malibu models (see Figure 1).
![Figure 1 - In the I-CAR Welding Training & Certificationd: Steel GMA (MIG) Welding (WCS03) course, two of the plug welds are made on two thicknesses of material.](/images/crn/12386.jpg)
Revised I-CAR Training and Certification: Steel GMA Welding Course
- Posted on 22 August 2012
The challenges for vehicle makers to make vehicles safe and strong as well as lightweight have resulted in material variations. Many of today's steel-structured vehicles use steel in the range of 0.70 mm thickness for the outer panels, and a thicker, and in many cases higher strength, steel for the structure. This has resulted in I-CAR revising its Training and Certification: Steel GMA Welding to more accurately reflect the thicknesses of steels being used.
![Figure 1 - Because the backing does not extend to the pinchweld flange, a portion of the seam weld would be made directly on the reinforcement.](/images/crn/12400.gif)
General Motors Overlap Sectioning Joint
- Posted on 31 May 2012
Until recently, General Motors has generally specified butt joints with backings when sectioning parts of a uniside. However, an overlap joint is now being required for some uniside sectioning joints. This is being done to reduce the transfer of heat from GMA welding into heat-sensitive high- and ultra-high-strength steel reinforcements. The concern with a butt joint with backing is that the backing piece does not extend to the pinchweld flange, and leaves the reinforcement exposed. As a result, a GMA weld is made on the pinchweld flange area of the reinforcement (see Figure 1).
![Figure 1 - This BMW 5 Series has several parts that need to be rivet bonded during repairs.](/images/crn/12379.jpg)
Bonding And Rivet Bonding Technology On Steel BMW Vehicle Parts
- Posted on 26 April 2012
As BMW Groups' vehicle construction technology advances, so does the repair process required to fix them properly. Conventional welding, which has been used primarily in BMW Groups' repair processes in the past, is slowly becoming the secondary method to bonding and rivet bonding technology. BMW currently recommends primarily using bonding and rivet bonding to replace exterior body panels, structural parts, and sectioning specific locations in conjunction with VIN-specific repair procedures. Changes in recommended repair procedures affect all current production models. This does not mean that all models, and all parts, are affected though. Consulting VIN-specific repair procedures should always be the first step in the repair process. The same is true for Mini and for Rolls-Royce vehicles (see Figure 1).
![Figure 1 - The spill was discovered in the spring after the snow melt.](/images/crn/12395.jpg)
Oil Spill At The I-CAR Tech Center
- Posted on 06 March 2012
A small motor oil spill incident at the I-CAR Tech Center in Appleton, Wisconsin in the spring of 2011 has raised our awareness of the many considerations involved with a material spill into the environment. What started as an accidental collision between a snowplow and a 55-gallon drum of waste oil on an adjoining property resulted in an experience we would never want to repeat.
![Figure 1 - The body mount bolt cage nut is secured in position inside a cage nut retainer by tabs that are folded against the cage nut.](/images/crn/12376.jpg)
Ford F-150 Body Mount Cage Nuts
- Posted on 22 December 2011
Beginning with the 2009 model year Ford F-150, the cab body mount bolts are secured with a cage nut. The cage nut is held in position inside a cage nut retainer that is attached to the inside of a floor crossmember. The crossmember is attached to the underside of the floor pan, which creates an enclosure for the cage nut. The retainer has two nut retaining tabs, one on each opposing side of the nut that are folded against the nut to hold it in place (see Figure 1).
![Figure 1 - Industry experts discuss steel identification.](/images/crn/12601.jpg)
Don't Section Ultra-High-Strength Steel - I-CAR Repairability Summit Identifies Best Practices
- Posted on 10 October 2011
Unless specifically recommended by the vehicle maker, parts with a tensile strength over 600 MPa should only be replaced at factory seams. This is just one of the "best practices" identified at a Repairability Summit hosted by I-CAR. Summit attendees consisted of subject matter experts from vehicle makers, tool and equipment makers, collision repair facilities, insurance companies, and the American Iron and Steel Institute.
![Figure 1 - Tape measures and tram gauges (top) are used for point-to-point measuring while computerized measuring systems (bottom) provide three-dimensional measurements.](/images/crn/12602.jpg)
Three-Dimensional Measuring Equipment - Is It Really Necessary?
- Posted on 08 September 2011
I-CAR has been emphasizing the importance of three-dimensional measuring since its founding in 1979, but is it really required to repair a vehicle? After all, three-dimensional measuring systems are considerably more expensive compared to the much more affordable tape measure or tram gauge (see Figure 1).
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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 Statements
Wednesday, 9 January 2019
Are you wondering if a particular OEM or organization has a published statement on pre-repair and post-repair scanning? We have compiled a list of most of the statements on the subject, so you can...
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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 has 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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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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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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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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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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Paint Maker ADAS Radar Optimized Color Resources: AkzoNobel
Friday, 26 July 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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High-Voltage Handling And Storage Considerations: General Motors
Tuesday, 23 July 2024
High-voltage (HV) vehicles have some special considerations for handling and storing HV batteries and other components. The dangers of HV batteries are potential even after removal which is why...
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Repairer Driven News: OEM Specifications For Modern Batteries
Monday, 22 July 2024
Repairer Driven News (RDN) released an article highlighting 12-volt and 48-volt mild hybrid battery trends in current and upcoming vehicles.
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Mazda Fender Grounding: UPDATE
Thursday, 18 July 2024
A major issue that faces many collision repair technicians is comebacks. With modern vehicles, many of those comebacks are due to electrical problems, bad grounds being a huge contender. Mazda has...
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Straightening And Heat: Volkswagen
Wednesday, 17 July 2024
A question often asked of the Repairability Technical Support (RTS) team is, "Can heat be used to straighten?" Several OEMs provide steel repairability matrices that provide heating times and...
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Nissan Wholesale Advantage Website: UPDATE
Monday, 15 July 2024
Nissan has a parts website which offers resources for repair professionals.
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I-CAR Repairers Realm: Variations In OEM Service Parts - Coming Soon
Friday, 12 July 2024
I-CAR is having a discussion on variations in OEM service parts.
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High-Voltage Handling And Storage Considerations: Hyundai - UPDATE
Thursday, 11 July 2024
High-voltage (HV) vehicles have some special considerations for handling and storing HV batteries and other components. The dangers of HV batteries are potential even after removal which is why...
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Great Designs In Steel 2024 Presentations Release
Wednesday, 10 July 2024
Great Designs in Steel (GDIS) 2024 covered multiple topics many of which are presented by OEM engineers and tier 1 suppliers of body components.
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I-CAR Repairers Realm: Vehicle Highlights From The Chicago Auto Show - Now Available
Wednesday, 3 July 2024
I-CAR had a discussion on vehicle highlights from the 2024 Chicago Auto Show.
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