Radiator Support: Service and Repair
Inner Body Reinforcing Panels
General Equipment
3 Phase Inverter Spot Welder 254-00002
Compuspot 700F Welder 190-50080
I4 Inverter Spot Welder 254-00014
Inverter Welder with MIG Welder 254-00015
Front Structure
NOTE: Left side shown, right side similar.
WARNING:
- Never install used or reconditioned parts (as specified below) from pre-owned, salvaged or damaged vehicles. The use of such parts could lead to serious injury.
- Never use non-Ford parts or accessories for completing repairs.
- Ford Motor Company does not approve or recognize body and structural repair procedures, tools, parts or anything but new genuine Ford equipment. Ford cannot attest to the safety, quality, durability or legality of non-Ford parts or accessories. Use of such parts could lead to serious personal injury as they may contain damage which is not visible.
Ford does not approve use of the following:
- Salvaged or used parts
- Major body clips or assemblies from salvage vehicles
- Aftermarket structural or body components
- Salvaged or reconditioned wheels
- Used supplemental restraint system (SRS) components
- air bags
- restraint system modules
- safety belts, buckles or retractors
- crash sensors
- Returning a vehicle to pre-accident condition can only be assured if repair procedures are carried out by skilled technicians using new genuine Ford parts and Ford-approved methods. Structural component repair procedures approved by Ford, using genuine Ford parts, have been validated by Ford Motor Company engineers.
- Ford Motor Company does not endorse, cannot attest to, and makes no representations regarding structural repairs (frames, rails, aprons and body panels) carried out using non-genuine Ford Motor Company parts or non-Ford-approved methods. In particular, Ford makes no representations that the vehicle will meet any crash safety or anti-corrosion performance requirement. Such parts and methods have not been tested by Ford, and may not meet Ford's requirements for safety, performance, strength, quality, durability and corrosion protection.
- Ford Motor Company bears no responsibility or liability of any kind if repairs are performed using alternative structural component repair procedures and/or parts.
- On vehicles equipped with Safety Canopy(R) options, prior to carrying out any sectioning repairs near the roof line or sail panel areas of the vehicle, remove the Safety Canopy(R) module and related components. Failure to comply may result in accidental deployment or damage to the Safety Canopy(R). Failure to follow these instructions may result in serious injury to technician or vehicle occupant(s).
- Do not cut or grind body side components within 50 mm (1.96 in) of restraint anchoring points. Welding within 50 mm (1.96 in) of restraint anchoring points may result in incorrect operation of restraint devices. For additional restraints anchoring location information, refer to Restraint Systems. Failure to follow these instructions may result in serious injury to vehicle occupant(s).
NOTICE: Sectioning procedures can only be carried out on the outer body side panel. No sectioning repairs can be carried out on inner reinforcement panels. Failure to follow these instructions may compromise the structural integrity of the vehicle.
NOTE: Refer to the Ford Recommended Steel Repairability Matrix in the Specifications portion of this section for specific information regarding steel descriptions.
1. NOTE:
- When it is necessary to carry out weld-bonding procedures, refer to Weld-Bonding.
- Observe prescribed welding procedures when carrying out any body side section repair. For additional information, refer to Welding Precautions - Steel.
- Factory spot welds may be substituted with either Squeeze-Type Resistance Spot Welding (STRW) welds or Metal Inert Gas (MIG) plug welds. Spot/plug welds should equal factory welds in both location and quantity. Do not place a new spot weld directly over an original weld location. Plug weld hole should equal 8 mm (0.31 in) diameter.
Remove the outer body sheet metal from the affected area prior to carrying out any reinforcing panel replacement.
2. When welding overlapping surfaces or substrates, apply corrosion protection material between the surfaces prior to welding. When the surfaces have been welded, apply corrosion protection material to the exterior surfaces or substrates. For additional information, refer to Restoring Corrosion Protection Following Repair.
3. Corrosion protection needs to be restored whenever it is necessary to sand or grind through painted surfaces or E-coat, or when bare metal repairs are carried out. For additional information, refer to Restoring Corrosion Protection Following Repair.
- Make sure horizontal joints and flanges are correctly sealed with seam sealer to prevent moisture intrusion. Water and moisture migrate to horizontal joints and corrosion tends to occur more rapidly in these areas. Clean metal surfaces with metal surface cleaner or equivalent before applying seam sealer.
4. Proceed with the refinish process following Ford-approved paint recommendations.