In Europe, MIG brazing has been required or recommended on a widespread basis for several years. In the U.S., it is not as common, at least for now. Here are some examples of vehicle makers in the U.S. that allow or require MIG brazing.
The I-CAR Repairability Technical Support “Ask I-CAR” feature and the Database Enhancement Gateway (DEG) help the industry with common issues but in different ways. Let's take a look at what each can do for you.
Adhesion promoters, or surface modifiers, are extremely important when making some types of adhesive plastic repairs. If the adhesion promoter is not applied when required, or applied incorrectly, the repair will fail. (although there are some exceptions because some plastics do not require adhesion promoters). Let’s take a look at the best practices to avoid this repair failure.
Ford has issued a recall on the 2015 Ford F-150 adaptive cruise control (ACC) system. Let's take a look at how this may affect your customers and prevent a potential comeback.
When dealing with stationary glass, should I refinish the area where the urethane will be applied to a new pinchweld? Should I remove the E-coat in that area? Let's take a look at some pinchweld prep best practices for new panel installation; like a quarter panel for example.
On the new Ford F-150, lane keep assist is an available option. With any of the advanced vehicle safety systems, one of the most important things to know is how to identify the system is on the vehicle at the repair facility. Once identified, information is needed on when calibration is required and what tools and equipment are needed to perform the calibration. Let's take a look at the lane keep assist system on the 2015 Ford F-150.
Some vehicles are equipped with active head restraints as a part of the headrests. These restraints are designed to move forward during a rear collision to reduce the chance of whiplash injury. Let's take a look at some of the key points when working with active head restraints and some of the resources to find information.
A group of vehicle makers got together recently and discussed the future of automatic emergency braking (AEB) technology in their vehicles. This feature is designed to reduce the severity and frequency of collisions; but no matter how good it is, it will never prevent all accidents from happening. So what do you need to know in order to repair vehicles with AEB, and how do you know the system is functioning properly?
The question is often asked, what material will be used in the car of the future? Should we concentrate on learning how to repair steel, aluminum, magnesium, or carbon fiber? For that answer, we need to look at present-day vehicles for some clues.
Subaru has a camera-based, driver-assist system that they call EyeSight. The Subaru EyeSight system uses a camera that has color recognition so it can see the red brake lights on the vehicle ahead or an upcoming red traffic light. It also has the ability to detect objects such as traffic lanes, certain street signs, motorcycles, bicycles, and pedestrians. A vehicle with EyeSight could have an automatic braking system, automatic throttle management, adaptive cruise control, or it may also be tied to the lane keep assist system. With all of the things this system can do, when and how does it affect collision repair?
When it comes to terminology in repair procedures, there is often a great deal of confusion as to what type of sectioning joint is called out in a specific repair procedure. To help end some of that confusion, let's look at the three basic sectioning joints.
When it comes to anchoring with pinchweld clamps, there are a few best practices that will help prevent problems during the repair process. Let's take a look at a few of them.
In case you missed it, there are now step-by-step instructions on how to access OEM repair information websites. These step-by-step instructions complement our how-to-videos on the OEM Information pages.
There's a new addition to the OEM Information pages for Toyota, Lexus, and Scion. An icon has been added linking you to a page on Toyota's website that allows technicians to take Toyota collision repair training.
There's a new addition to the OEM Information pages for Toyota, Lexus, and Scion. An icon has been added linking you to a page on Toyota's website that contains Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs), Collision Pros Magazine, and Quick Training Guides.
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MIG Brazing What Is It, Why Should I Use It?
June 02, 2014
Why MIG Brazing? It is widely known that GMA (MIG) welded; fully galvanized steel will lose some of its properties, including corrosion protection, due to the heat created during welding.…
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2015 Ford F-150 Outer Box Side Replacement Options
August 07, 2015
The method for replacing the outer box side on the 2015 Ford F-150 has been a popular area of discussion, and many people are asking, "What are my options and…
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Restraints Wiring Repairs
May 23, 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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I-CAR Best Practice: Recycled Outer Quarter Panels w/Rolled Hem Flanges
July 21, 2017
Periodically, I-CAR Repairability Summits are held to bring together collision industry stakeholders and subject matter experts to develop collision repair processes and best practices for repair of late-model, collision damaged…
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Typical Calibration Requirements for Blind Spot Sensors
October 19, 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…
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Toyota/Lexus/Scion Position Statement: Pre- and Post-Repair System Scanning
July 28, 2016
As the industry continues to ask, are pre- and post-repair scans necessary, Toyota/Lexus/Scion provides their answer.
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Mazda I-ELOOP Overview
January 27, 2014
Beginning model year 2014, Mazda has introduced a regenerative engine braking system called i-ELOOP, short for "Intelligent Energy Loop." In this system, a capacitor is used to store electrical energy…
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Typical Calibration Requirements for Park Assist Sensors
October 31, 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…
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Typical Calibration Requirements for Forward Radar Sensors
October 12, 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…
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2012 Ford Focus Active Grille Shutters
January 01, 2014
When making collision repairs to the 2012 Ford Focus, be aware that the vehicle may be equipped with an active grille shutter system (see Figure 1). This motorized system is…
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Advanced Driver Assistance Systems: 2019 MAZDA6
December 11, 2019
While many have noticed that advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) are showing up on vehicles, there still is confusion on what is required of these systems after a collision occurs.…
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Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) Position Statement: Glass Position Statement
December 10, 2019
Fiat Chrysler automobiles (FCA) has released a position statement on the use of non-OEM glass. The Authentic Mopar® Glass Replacement position statement can be found on both the free and…
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What’s In A Seat: Active Headrests
December 09, 2019
As vehicles are becoming more advanced, we are finding technology where it never was before. Sometimes it is in plain sight, such as infotainment systems, GPS, and a head-up display.…
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Back-To-Basics: Corrosion Protection Inspection During The Repair Process
December 06, 2019
Sometimes going back-to-basics can make the difference between a quality repair and a failed repair. When it comes to inspecting repairs for quality, there are many things to look for…
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Non-SRS Wiring Repairs: Tesla
December 06, 2019
What is a non-SRS wiring repair? It is the repairing of an electrical component that is not part of the supplemental restraint system circuit (usually identified by yellow wire looms).…
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Spot And Plug Weld Nugget Size: Honda/Acura
December 04, 2019
Did you know that many OEMs specify nugget size for spot and plug welds? This information is typically found within vehicle-specific repair procedures or can be found under general welding…
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Advanced Driver Assistance Systems: 2019 Lincoln Nautilus
December 03, 2019
While many have noticed that advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) are showing up on vehicles, there still is confusion on what is required of these systems after a collision occurs.…
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Sectioning And Partial Part Replacement: 2019 Subaru Ascent
December 02, 2019
One of the top technical inquiries received at Ask I-CAR is, “Is there a sectioning or partial replacement procedure available?” To help answer this question, RTS has an OEM Partial…
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Repairer Driven News: Replacing Factory Spot Welds
November 27, 2019
Repairer Driven News released an article focusing on factory spot welds and how OEM repair procedures may differ from how it was assembled at the factory. It touches on how…
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Repairer Driven News: Honda Body Repair Manual Perspective
November 27, 2019
The article released by Repairer Driven News (RDN) states that Honda body repair manuals and procedures are “written from the perspective of a body in white”. This means that other…
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