Close
MENU

Follow us on @Ask_ICAR for daily updates.

Home / Collision Repair News / If You Do What You've Always Done ...

If You Do What You've Always Done ...

Posted on 23 December 2014 | Share: | Print Print

Ever hear the quote: "if you do what you've always done, you'll get what you've always gotten"? When it comes to collision repairs, it's far from accurate.

Consider this situation, a 2014 car X had something hit it in the front right of the roof and push down the roof rail about an inch. This seems to be a small amount of damage but let's look a little deeper.

First, what material is the roof rail reinforcement made of? For this example, let's say it's 1,200 MPa. So it can't be heated or straightened. Next, is there a sectioning procedure? After researching the vehicle maker repair information there is no sectioning procedure available. At this point the correct way to fix this vehicle would to be replace the damaged roof rail reinforcement at a factory seam. This may seem like a rather intrusive repair but you need to look past what you would have done in the past.

If you decided to section this part, are you confident that your repair would withstand a rollover the same way it was originally designed? Was the part meant to transfer energy or start to absorb it? Did you strengthen or weaken the part, if so, how will that affect collision energy management? These types of questions need to be asked every time when considering how to repair a vehicle. If in the end the decision is made to fix the vehicle without a vehicle maker repair procedure, then the full burden falls to those who decided to repair the vehicle without any documentation.

  • I-CAR Just In Time: EV Repair Tips Wednesday, 17 April 2024

    Sometimes seeing is understanding, that’s why I-CAR's technical team created the Just in Time video series to guide you through a variety of collision repair topics from ADAS and EVs to repair tips...

  • I-CAR RTS App Monday, 15 April 2024

    Looking for another tool for your toolbox? An informational guide at your fingertips? Well, the I-CAR Repairability Technical Support (RTS) app is what you are looking for!

  • Repairer Driven News: ADAS Radar Optimized Paint Color Resources Friday, 12 April 2024

    Changes in advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) radar technology are introducing new refinishing considerations. Paint film thickness not only may affect the performance of ADAS radars, color...

  • Back-To-Basics: Window Tab Retractor Thursday, 11 April 2024

    Sometimes going back-to-basics can make the difference between a quality repair and a failed repair. Window regulators have evolved over the years, most now using a clip type retaining method. With...

  • High-Voltage Vehicle Paint Booth Quick Reference Tuesday, 9 April 2024

    When refinishing high-voltage (HV) vehicles, it is important to check for OEM paint booth temperature recommendations so that HV components do not get damaged in the heat.

  • Ford On Target 2024: Volume 1 Friday, 5 April 2024

    Ford has released the first installment of their On Target publication for 2024.

  • 3M Offers SOP And Process Hands-On Training and Skill Development Thursday, 4 April 2024

    The 3M Skills Development Center is a 15,000 sq ft facility where technicians can take a Body Repair Course or Paint Prep and Refinish Course. Both courses are majority hands-on of standard...

  • OEM Linking Pin: Nissan/INFINITI Outer Uniside Sectioning - Cut Line Clarification Wednesday, 3 April 2024

    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. We‘ve had technical inquiries that...

  • I-CAR Repairers Realm: All New RTS App From I-CAR - Now Available Friday, 29 March 2024

    I-CAR had a discussion on the new Repairability Technical Support (RTS) app from I-CAR.

  • OEM Linking Pin: Subaru Solterra Body Repair Manual Tuesday, 26 March 2024

    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. We‘ve had technical inquiries that...

Top Ten Vehicle Specific Questions

Hyundai Does Hyundai have a sectioning procedure available?
Kia Does Kia have a sectioning procedure available?
Chevrolet Does Chevrolet have a warning against sectioning when there is no procedure?
BMW Can I-CAR send me BMW repair procedures?
Honda What does Honda say about repairing damaged airbag system wiring harnesses?
Hyundai Does Hyundai have part replacement procedures available?
Mercedes-Benz Can I-CAR send me Mercedes-Benz repair procedures?
Honda What does Honda say about straightening front lower rails?
Subaru Do you have to replace a front passenger airbag on a Subaru even if the airbag did not deploy? The repair information seems to indicate that it should.
Nissan Is there a wiring repair procedure for the airbag connector?

Top Ten I-CAR Specific Questions

What does I-CAR say about using a recycled quarter panel assembly that includes the inner, outer, and reinforcements?
What does I-CAR say about straightening a kink?
Can I-CAR General Sectioning Guidelines be used?
What does I-CAR say about repairing damaged door intrusion beams?
What does I-CAR say about the decision to use recycled parts?
What does I-CAR say about replacing suspension parts in pairs?
What does I-CAR say about repairing damaged bumper reinforcements?
What does I-CAR say about repair tolerances?
What does I-CAR say about using recycled airbags?
What does I-CAR say about repairing damaged crush boxes?