Straightening And Heat: BMW/Mini

Posted on 24 January 2024 Print

A question often asked of the Repairability Technical Support (RTS) team is, "Can heat be used to straighten?" Several OEMs provide steel repairability matrices that provide heating times and temperature limits based on the type of metal being repaired, while other OEMs have restrictions on using heat at all. Let’s see what BMW/Mini has to say.

BMW/Mini provides information in the High Strength Steel Repair manual. Here are the step-by-step instructions on how to find this training manual:

  1. Login to bmwtechinfo.com
  2. Click I Agree button after reviewing disclaimer
  3. Click Training tab (top left of webpage)
  4. Select Body & Paint Manuals from dropdown
  5. Click High Strength Steel Vehicle Repair
  6. Click Planning The Repair from Table of Contents

Within this area, BMW/Mini provides information pertaining to straightening steel, aluminum, and heating during the repair.

For example, BMW/Mini states:

  • "Heating load-bearing components for better reshaping is not allowed."
  • "High-strength and super-high-strength steel plates as a rule cannot be reshaped. Reshaping only serves as a preparatory measure to replacing the component in order to achieve optimal joining of the connection area."

Always follow OEM procedures and recommendations when it comes to using heat for repairs to ensure a complete, safe, and quality repair.

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