OEM Linking Pin: Ford/Lincoln Outer Uniside Sectioning - UPDATE

Details Posted on 30 August 2021 | Share:

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We have had many inquiries about steel and aluminum outer uniside sectioning on Ford and Lincoln vehicles. To find the answers you need, let’s look at the Ford/Lincoln repair information.

For steel outer uniside sectioning, Ford/Lincoln often does not have a step-by-step procedure with exact cut locations (like they do for some aluminum outer uniside sectioning). However, Ford/Lincoln allows repairers to section a steel outer uniside and an aluminum outer uniside based on the damage, as long as the sectioning locations meet certain Ford specified requirements. Note that these sectioning locations are in addition to the dotted lines and step-by-step procedures that are provided in the Workshop manual. Now let’s take a look at each requirement.

Per the Ford/Lincoln Workshop manual and our contact at Ford:

1. “NOTICE: Do not begin removal of the vehicle body side until the replacement panel is available for reference.” Ford sells the outer uniside in pieces; if you make the sectioning cut before the service panel arrives, the service part may not reach the location that was chosen. The approximate location of the service part locations are typically shown in the image for the body repair manual, found in section 501-26 Body Repairs - Vehicle Specific Information and Tolerance Checks - General Procedures (The dotted lines show suggested cut locations and are not exact cut locations.)


2. “NOTICE: Sectioning within the door hinge portion of the A-pillar, B-pillar or dog leg portion of the quarter panel is not approved by Ford Motor Company.” The ONLY time that sectioning in these areas is allowed by Ford is when it is specifically identified in the Workshop manual.


3. “NOTICE: Do not carry out body side sectioning repairs in areas of door hinge, safety belt or striker anchoring points. Welding within 50 mm (1.96 in) of door hinge or striker locations may compromise structural integrity during a collision.” This means sectioning can be done outside of these areas keeping in mind the notices in number 1 and 2.


4. “Where possible, create a lap-joint backer plate using a portion of the old panel. This will create a stronger joint.” The sectioning location must be in an area that will allow room for a 50 mm backer panel to be installed.

As our contact at Ford/Lincoln explained, when you follow these parameters, it allows the repair to be completed in an area that is the best fit for the repair plan.

Additional I-CAR Collision Repair News you may find helpful:

• How Does the I-CAR OEM Linking Pin Process Work?
• What's A Ford Lap-Joint Backer Plate?

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