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Sometimes, going back to the basics can make the difference between a quality repair and a failed repair. When it comes to reading the body repair manual, there are some common mistakes that are easily avoidable and can have a huge effect on the durability of the repair.
One mistake that can easily be made is not reading the symbols key in the body repair manual. These symbols inform you to what attachment methods need to be used. This will change how the damaged part is removed and how the service part is prepared for installation. These symbols vary between vehicle makers, so it is important to know where to find the key in the body repair manual (BRM) and how to use it.
Another common mistake is the failure to read through both the removal procedure and the installation procedure in the BRM. In the removal procedure, a welding joint may appear to be an open butt joint but could actually be a lap (fillet) joint when the installation procedure is followed. In this example, the removal procedure may state to cut 80 mm from a control point, in the installation procedure it would state to cut 50 mm from the same control point. This would create a 30 mm lap joint, not an open butt joint.
By reading and understanding the complete repair procedure before beginning repairs, you can ensure the vehicle is repaired correctly without negative effects on cycle time.
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Article validated in 2025