Body Construction and Material Repair Guidelines: Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA)

What is the MPa of the front lower rail? What is the outer uniside made of: steel, aluminum, or composite? Can heat be used to straighten or is it cold straightening only? What are the repair limitations? These are just some of the questions that the RTS team fields on a daily basis.
As we know, today's vehicles can be constructed from a wide variety of materials. Knowing if the OEM provides information on body construction materials and repair guidelines is a crucial step in providing a complete, safe, and quality repair. Let’s see what Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) has to say.
FCA provides a construction material breakdown on various vehicle components. The information can be found in the majority of newer vehicle-specific body repair manuals under: Standardized Steel Identification. Although the section title references steel, this section also provides repairability information on aluminum, magnesium, plastic, and composite materials.
When it comes to repairing vehicle components, FCA also has a Use of Heat To Straighten Damaged Components position statement that states "Any damaged body panel or frame component, which is to be repaired, must be repaired using the "cold straightening" method. No heat may be used during the straightening process.
During rough straightening prior to replacement, damaged panels or frame components may be heated to assist in body/frame realignment. This application of heat, if absolutely necessary, must be constrained to the parts which will be replaced and not allowed to affect any other components."
Along with the position statement and repair information provided in the body repair manual, FCA also has a series of guides available on Plastic Repair, Sealer and Sound Deadener Repair, and Weld Bonding. Each of these guides are available on their free website.
Vehicle-specific body repair manuals and the above referenced guides can be found for free at www.moparrepairconnection.com. This is a free website, however you will need to sign up for a username and password. On this website you will also find additional technical documents and position statements. If you are unable to locate the body repair manual on the free site, the additional manuals are located on FCA's pay website at: www.techauthority.com.
For additional FCA information, check out the following pages:
Alfa Romeo OEM Information
Chrysler OEM Information
Dodge OEM Information
Fiat OEM Information
Jeep OEM Information
RAM OEM Information
Additional I-CAR Collision Repair News you may find helpful:
Collision Information Website Access: Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA)
Step-By-Step: Accessing Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) Repair Information
Related I-CAR Courses
-
Toyota/Lexus/Scion Position Statement: Pre- and Post-Repair System Scanning
July 28, 2016
As the industry continues to ask if pre- and post-repair system scanning is necessary, Toyota/Lexus/Scion provides their answer.
-
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.…
-
Pre- and Post-Repair System Scanning Position Statements
January 09, 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…
-
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…
-
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.
-
OEM Linking Pin: 2015 Ford F-150 Outer Box Side Replacement Options - UPDATE
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
Toyota Collision Pros: 2021 Issue 1
March 04, 2021
Toyota has released the latest edition of their Collision Pros magazine. This issue highlights the all-new 2021 Toyota Sienna and focuses on the technology aspects of the vehicle.
-
OEM Emergency Response Guides: Nissan/INFINITI
March 03, 2021
Are you looking for OEM emergency response guides (ERGs)? The RTS team has located these guides and either houses them on the RTS website, provides links to webpages that house…
-
Toyota/Lexus: Who Requires Or Recommends MIG Brazing
March 02, 2021
In Europe, MIG brazing has been required or recommended on a widespread basis for several years. In the U.S., MIG brazing is not as common but is becoming more prevalent.…
-
Spot And Plug Weld Nugget Size: Mitsubishi
February 26, 2021
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…
-
Audi Emergency Response Guides Now Available On RTS Portal
February 25, 2021
Audi emergency response guides (ERGs) can now be accessed directly from the Repairability Technical Support (RTS) Portal on the Audi OEM Information page. These guides provide information about the vehicle…
-
OEM Emergency Response Guides
February 25, 2021
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 RTS Airbag And Restraints System Technology Webinar
February 24, 2021
I-CAR RTS has created a webinar on supplemental restraints systems (SRS). The webinar is a comprehensive look at vehicle SRS systems, how they work, and details and cautions that are…
-
Repairer Driven News: BMW Incorrect Windshield Use
February 19, 2021
Repairer Driven News (RDN) released an article on BMW vehicles and a few things to consider when repairing them. The article covers two main areas of concern.
-
Rolls-Royce: Who Requires Or Recommends MIG Brazing?
February 17, 2021
In Europe, MIG brazing has been required or recommended on a widespread basis for several years. In the U.S., MIG brazing is not as common but is becoming more prevalent.…
-
BMW/Mini: Who Requires Or Recommends MIG Brazing?
February 17, 2021
In Europe, MIG brazing has been required or recommended on a widespread basis for several years. In the U.S., MIG brazing is not as common but is becoming more prevalent.…
- 2021
- March 2021 (3)
- February 2021 (15)
- January 2021 (14)
- 2020
- December 2020 (15)
- November 2020 (17)
- October 2020 (14)
- September 2020 (14)
- August 2020 (12)
- July 2020 (19)
- June 2020 (16)
- May 2020 (14)
- April 2020 (21)
- March 2020 (12)
- February 2020 (14)
- January 2020 (14)
- 2019
- December 2019 (15)
- November 2019 (20)
- October 2019 (25)
- September 2019 (20)
- August 2019 (22)
- July 2019 (23)
- June 2019 (21)
- May 2019 (20)
- April 2019 (21)
- March 2019 (21)
- February 2019 (21)
- January 2019 (18)
- 2018
- December 2018 (19)
- November 2018 (19)
- October 2018 (17)
- September 2018 (16)
- August 2018 (23)
- July 2018 (21)
- June 2018 (21)
- May 2018 (19)
- April 2018 (20)
- March 2018 (23)
- February 2018 (17)
- January 2018 (21)
- 2017
- December 2017 (16)
- November 2017 (18)
- October 2017 (19)
- September 2017 (20)
- August 2017 (21)
- July 2017 (19)
- June 2017 (23)
- May 2017 (21)
- April 2017 (15)
- March 2017 (20)
- February 2017 (12)
- 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 (11)
- April 2016 (12)
- March 2016 (14)
- February 2016 (11)
- January 2016 (7)
- 2015
- December 2015 (10)
- November 2015 (10)
- October 2015 (12)
- September 2015 (10)
- August 2015 (12)
- July 2015 (11)
- June 2015 (10)
- May 2015 (8)
- April 2015 (10)
- March 2015 (9)
- February 2015 (11)
- January 2015 (12)
- 2014
- December 2014 (15)
- November 2014 (9)
- October 2014 (12)
- September 2014 (10)
- August 2014 (11)
- July 2014 (13)
- June 2014 (9)
- May 2014 (14)
- April 2014 (9)
- March 2014 (6)
- February 2014 (1)
- January 2014 (28)