Print
What is the MPa of the front lower rail? What is the outer uniside made of: steel, aluminum, or composite? Can heat be used to straighten or is it cold straightening only? What are the repair limitations? These are just some of the questions that the RTS team fields on a daily basis.
As we know, today’s vehicles can be constructed from a wide variety of materials. Knowing if the OEM provides information on body construction materials and repair guidelines is a crucial step in providing a complete, safe, and quality repair. Let’s see what Ford/Lincoln has to say.
Ford/Lincoln provides a construction material breakdown on various vehicle components. The information can be found in the majority of newer vehicle-specific Workshop manuals under: 501-26 Body Repair - Vehicle Specific Information ➤ Description and Operation ➤ Vehicle Specific Body Construction.
However, in some older Workshop manuals, the vehicle construction may be called out in specific repair procedures. For example, in the 2014 Ford Mustang Body Side Sectioning procedure, the manual specifies the outer uniside side panels and door frame as mild steel.
Along with repair information provided in the Workshop manual, Ford/Lincoln also has additional repair guidelines available on their Ford Steel Repairability Matrix. This matrix provides a breakdown on the various steels, approved welding methods, if cold repairs are an option, if heat can be used, and the heat range and allowed maximum.
Ford/Lincoln vehicle-specific body repair manuals can be found at: www.motorcraftservice.com
For additional Ford/Lincoln information, check out the following pages:
Ford OEM Information
Lincoln OEM Information
Additional I-CAR Collision Repair News you may find helpful:
- Collision Information Website Access: Ford/Lincoln
- Step-By-Step: Accessing Ford/Lincoln Repair Information
Related I-CAR Courses
Article validated in 2022