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As part of the I-CAR Repairability Technical Support (RTS) OEM linking pin activity, we are helping to connect the collision repair industry to the vehicle makers. A common question when it comes to the 2015-present Ford F-150 is the repairability of the running board mounting location. Specifically, when the stud is torn out of the inner rocker panel (see Figure 1). We reached out to Ford for clarification.
Per our contact at Ford, the following procedure applies to these vehicles:
- 2015-present Ford F-150
- 2018-present Ford Super Duty
- 2018-present Ford Expedition
- 2018-present Lincoln Navigator
Per our contact at Ford: "They can do weld repair to the stud areas. The inner rocker panel can be sectioned where required. The repair facility can order the inner rocker and cut out a plate around the stud and weld it in following the sectioning guidelines outlined in the repair manual. It would be very invasive to replace the inner rocker panel unless there was additional damage to the inner rocker panel beyond the torn-out stud."
Figure 1
This means there are several repair options to consider when assessing the damage and the extent of the repair to be completed:
- Repair/straighten the stud mounting area and weld any cracks or tears in the immediate stud location.
- Following Ford’s sectioning guidelines, cut a portion from the new inner rocker panel service part and install accordingly.
- Replace the inner rocker panel at factory seams. This requires the outer uniside and the rocker panel reinforcement to be replaced. This should be considered if there is additional unrepairable damage beyond the torn-out stud(s).
For additional Ford/Lincoln information, check out the following pages:
Ford OEM Information
Lincoln OEM Information
Additional I-CAR Collision Repair News you may find helpful:
- Collision Information Website Access: Ford/Lincoln
- Corrosion Protection Guidelines: Ford/Lincoln - UPDATE
- How Does the I-CAR OEM Linking Pin Process Work?
- I-CAR Repairers Realm: Ford Structural Sectioning Guidelines - Now Available
- OEM Linking Pin: Ford F-150 Factory Installed Running Boards
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Original article published December 16, 2020
Article validated in 2025