- Quick Search By Vehicle
- OEM Information
- Collision Repair News
- OEM Calibration Requirements Search
- OEM Partial Part Replacement Search
- OEM Restraints System Part Replacement Search
- OEM Hybrid And Electric Vehicle Disable Search
- OEM Glass Replacement
- I-CAR Best Practices
I-CAR 360 Videos- Ask I-CAR
Follow us on 
@Ask_ICAR for daily updates.
Body Construction and Material Repair Guidelines: Fiat Chrysler Automotive
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 Automotive (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:
Step-By-Step: Accessing Fiat Chrysler Automobile Repair Information
-
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.…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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.
-
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…
-
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.
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
Sectioning and Partial Part Replacement: 2019 Jaguar I-Pace
September 18, 2019
One of the top technical inquires 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…
-
Non-SRS Wiring Repair: Mercedes-Benz
September 17, 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).…
-
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems: 2019 Subaru Crosstrek
September 16, 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.…
-
Toyota Collision Pros: 2019 Issue 2
September 12, 2019
Toyota has released their second edition for 2019 of their Collision Pros online magazine. This edition touches on a variety of collision repair topics, such as the Toyota Supra, training,…
-
GMC Sierra CarbonPro Box Repair Options
September 12, 2019
Carbon fiber has been used in the automotive industry for some time now. Its strong and light weight properties made it a commonly used material for exotic vehicles. Due to…
-
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems: 2019 Honda Pilot
September 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.…
-
Repairing Blind Spot Sensor Mounting Locations: Toyota/Lexus
September 10, 2019
When performing straightening repairs, having measurements is a sure-fire way to ensure the vehicle is repaired back to spec. However, many times measurements are not given for outer body panels.…
-
OEM Calibration Requirements Search Is Updated For 2019
September 09, 2019
Since its unveiling, the OEM Calibration Requirements Search has become a go to source for calibration requirements research for many in the industry. Due to ever changing OEM information the…
-
OEM Partial Part Replacement Search Is Updated For 2019
September 06, 2019
The OEM Partial Part Replacement Search page is a simple way to find out if an OEM has a published procedure available for sectioning or partial part replacement at factory…
-
Nissan Rogue vs Rogue Sport – Not Just A Different Trim Package
September 05, 2019
At first glance, the Nissan Rogue and Rogue Sport may seem like they are the same vehicle with a different trim package. However, the vehicle structure, body repair manuals (BRM),…
- 2019
- September 2019 (12)
- August 2019 (22)
- July 2019 (23)
- June 2019 (22)
- May 2019 (22)
- April 2019 (22)
- March 2019 (21)
- February 2019 (21)
- January 2019 (20)
- 2018
- December 2018 (19)
- November 2018 (19)
- October 2018 (17)
- September 2018 (16)
- August 2018 (23)
- July 2018 (21)
- June 2018 (21)
- May 2018 (21)
- April 2018 (20)
- March 2018 (23)
- February 2018 (17)
- January 2018 (21)
- 2017
- December 2017 (16)
- November 2017 (19)
- October 2017 (19)
- September 2017 (20)
- August 2017 (21)
- July 2017 (19)
- June 2017 (23)
- May 2017 (21)
- April 2017 (17)
- March 2017 (20)
- February 2017 (12)
- January 2017 (13)
- 2016
- December 2016 (9)
- November 2016 (14)
- October 2016 (21)
- September 2016 (12)
- August 2016 (11)
- July 2016 (9)
- June 2016 (13)
- May 2016 (11)
- April 2016 (12)
- March 2016 (14)
- February 2016 (11)
- January 2016 (9)
- 2015
- December 2015 (10)
- November 2015 (10)
- October 2015 (13)
- September 2015 (10)
- August 2015 (13)
- July 2015 (13)
- June 2015 (13)
- May 2015 (12)
- April 2015 (15)
- March 2015 (14)
- February 2015 (11)
- January 2015 (13)
- 2014
- December 2014 (15)
- November 2014 (9)
- October 2014 (12)
- September 2014 (11)
- August 2014 (12)
- July 2014 (15)
- June 2014 (11)
- May 2014 (14)
- April 2014 (10)
- March 2014 (6)
- February 2014 (1)
- January 2014 (28)
