Steel Spot And Plug Weld Nugget Size: Tesla - UPDATE

Did you know that some 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 guidelines. Let’s see what Tesla has to say.

Spot Welding

Tesla welding information is typically found in the General Information ➤ Performing A Structural Repair On A Tesla Vehicle ➤ Preparing For Installation area of model-specific body repair manuals (BRMs).

  • "When installing spot welds to replace factory spot welds, match the number and location of the new spot welds to the number and location of removed spot welds, unless explicitly directed differently in the repair procedure.
  • When securing steel-to-steel panels, if your approved welder and C-frame accessory arm can access the original factory spot weld location, installation spot welds are recommended instead of the fasteners specified in the repair procedure."

Tesla Spot Welding Requirement/Recommendation

Tesla does not indicate a spot welding vs. plug welding preference in their collision repair information.

Plug Welding

Tesla does not indicate a specific plug weld nugget size in their collision repair information.

Tesla welding information is typically found in the General Information ➤ Performing A Structural Repair On A Tesla Vehicle ➤ Preparing For Installation area of model-specific BRMs.

  • Plug welds on steel up to 1 mm thick require 6 mm holes.

Specifications are not given for plug weld hole size for steel panels greater than the thicknesses above.

Where the spot weld and plug weld nugget size was not identified, refer to the Steel Spot And Plug Weld Nugget Size: UPDATE article. This article provides general guidelines.

Following OEM welding requirements, including what nugget size is required, will help ensure a complete, safe, and quality repair.

For additional Tesla information, check out the Tesla OEM Information page.

Additional I-CAR Collision Repair News you may find helpful:
Back-To-Basics: Destructive Weld Testing
Collision Information Website Access: Tesla
Dressing GMA Welds
Steel Spot And Plug Weld Nugget Size: UPDATE
Step-By-Step: Accessing Tesla Repair Information
Weld-Through Primer Guidelines: Tesla - UPDATE
Welding And MIG Brazing Hotspot


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