- 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.
Structural Sectioning Procedures: Toyota/Lexus
Ask I-CAR receives many technical inquiries referring to sectioning. The collision repair industry wants to know where can you section, does the OEM have a sectioning procedure, and where can I find the sectioning procedure? Most OEMs allow sectioning to outer body panels and the front and rear rails. Sectioning reinforcements is not as common, as most reinforcements are replaced at factory seams.
Parts are made from various materials including HSS, UHSS, aluminum, and carbon fiber. These parts also have complex designs to collapse or transfer collision forces in a specific manner. Introducing a sectioning joint to many of these parts will alter how the part reacts to those collision forces. For this reason, sectioning a part is only allowed if supported by vehicle maker repair information. Let’s see what Toyota/Lexus says about structural sectioning.
Vehicle-specific Toyota/Lexus repair manuals do offer procedures for sectioning of various parts. Failure to follow OEM procedures will sacrifice the safety and quality of the repair. It is crucial to read through the "Introduction" section of the body repair manual. This section includes sub-categories for:
- "About This Vehicle" – provides the structural outline of the vehicle which includes identifying the MPa.
- "How To Use This Manual" - describes what the various symbols within the repair procedure means, such as cut lines and locations.
- "When Removing, Installing, Repairing or Replacing Parts" – includes the battery disconnect and reconnect procedure.
- "Work Notices and Precautions" - includes repairing body structure parts, welding, SRS airbag system, and other precautions.
Toyota/Lexus has two Collision Repair Information Bulletins (CRIBs) pertaining to structural sectioning that you should be aware of:
- CRIB#155 – Body & Frame Component Sectioning which states, “Frame Sectioning is considered partial replacement of a frame rail or component, which is not an approved repair procedure on Toyota and Lexus full frame vehicles.”
- CRIB#176 – Approved Collision Repair Methods provides an overview of approved and non-approved repair methods. This also includes the type of sectioning joint to be used.
For additional Toyota/Lexus information, check out the following pages:
Toyota OEM Information
Lexus OEM Information
Additional I-CAR Collision Repair News you may find helpful:
Collision Information Website Access: Toyota/Lexus/Scion
How to Find Toyota/Lexus CRIBs
Step-By-Step: Accessing Toyota, Lexus, And Scion 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…
-
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…
-
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) Position Statement: Pre- and Post-Repair System Scanning
June 09, 2016
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles US LLC has released a position statement related to the use of scan tools following collisions. In the position statement, FCA states:
-
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…
-
Great Designs in Steel 2019 Presentations Release
May 23, 2019
Great Designs in Steel 2019 covered multiple topics from changing vehicle structures, welding and repairability of steels, advancements in forming ultra high-strength steel (UHSS), and new release model overviews.
-
Great Designs in Steel 2018 Presentations: A Closer Look – 2020 Ford Escape
May 23, 2019
The 2020 Ford Escape presentation at the 2019 Great Designs in Steel highlights some changes that sets this vehicle apart from the from the previous model years of the Escape.…
-
Honda/Acura Position Statement: Pre- and Post-Repair System Scanning - UPDATE
May 22, 2019
Honda /Acura have updated their position statement on pre- and post-repair scanning to give more clarification on what is expected for scanning.
-
General Motors Free Body Repair Manuals No Longer Available
May 22, 2019
As you may know, General Motors has removed the body repair manuals from their free website www.genuinegmparts.com.
-
Cadillac Unveils the CT5 for 2020
May 20, 2019
Cadillac is releasing a new sedan with a substantial amount of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). The CT5 is equipped with many of the systems that you would expect to…
-
Sectioning and Partial Part Replacement: 2019 Honda Clarity
May 17, 2019
One of the top technical inquiries 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…
-
Bumper Cover Repairs With ADAS: Mercedes-Benz
May 16, 2019
A simple bumper repair on a modern vehicle may not be as simple as it seems. New technologies like blind spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and other advanced driver assistance…
-
Great Designs in Steel 2019 Presentations: A Closer Look - 2019 Acura RDX
May 16, 2019
During the 2019 Acura RDX presentation at the 2019 Great Designs in Steel highlights some changes that sets this vehicle apart from the from the previous model years of the…
-
ADAS Features Standard on the 2019 Toyota Highlander
May 15, 2019
The Toyota Highlander has undergone many changes through the years, and the changes continue into 2019 for both hybrid and gas models. The Highlander is still a large SUV that…
-
Powertrain Overview: Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)
May 14, 2019
Since the creation of the first modern automobile nearly a century and a half ago, there has been one dominant engine option on the market, the gasoline internal combustion engine.…
- 2019
- May 2019 (18)
- April 2019 (22)
- March 2019 (21)
- February 2019 (21)
- January 2019 (21)
- 2018
- December 2018 (18)
- November 2018 (20)
- October 2018 (17)
- September 2018 (16)
- August 2018 (23)
- July 2018 (21)
- June 2018 (22)
- May 2018 (22)
- April 2018 (20)
- March 2018 (23)
- February 2018 (19)
- January 2018 (21)
- 2017
- December 2017 (16)
- November 2017 (19)
- October 2017 (19)
- September 2017 (21)
- August 2017 (21)
- July 2017 (19)
- June 2017 (23)
- May 2017 (22)
- April 2017 (18)
- March 2017 (20)
- February 2017 (12)
- January 2017 (13)
- 2016
- December 2016 (10)
- November 2016 (14)
- October 2016 (21)
- September 2016 (13)
- August 2016 (12)
- July 2016 (9)
- June 2016 (13)
- May 2016 (12)
- April 2016 (12)
- March 2016 (14)
- February 2016 (11)
- January 2016 (9)
- 2015
- December 2015 (10)
- November 2015 (10)
- October 2015 (14)
- September 2015 (11)
- 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 (13)
- July 2014 (15)
- June 2014 (11)
- May 2014 (14)
- April 2014 (11)
- March 2014 (6)
- February 2014 (1)
- January 2014 (28)
