Structural Sectioning Procedures: Tesla

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 can 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 Tesla says about structural sectioning.

Vehicle-specific Tesla body repair manuals (Collision Repair Procedures) provide procedures for sectioning various parts. Not all models offer the same sectioning joint because of the different materials used on each model.

Key areas to review in Collision Repair Procedures manual before proceeding with a specific repair procedure:

• General Repair Guidelines
• Body Structure Materials And Allowed Operations
• Structural Repair Guidelines
• Approved Parts, Tools, and Supplies
• Repair Guidelines for Parts, Fasteners, and Structural Adhesives

Repair procedures are found in the menu (left side of webpage) with titles such as Front Inner Panels or Body Side Panels. When you click the area, a list of parts and (in the main part of the screen) 3D images of the vehicle with colored parts which offer procedures. Most procedures that allow sectioning are denoted in the titles.

Always refer to the vehicle-specific body repair manual to determine the required type of welding and sectioning joint. Failure to follow OEM procedures sacrifices the safety and quality of the repair.

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

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

• Collision Information Website Access: Tesla
• Step-By-Step: Accessing Tesla Repair Information
• What’s A Tesla Shotgun Outer Assembly?

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Article validated in 2024