How To Repair A Rear Quarter Panel

Fender benders occur every day. Someone changes lanes without looking and bam! There'due south a crash. If you're repairing these cars, the fender repair volition be an easier fix than the quarter panel because the fender tin can be removed and replaced.

Rear quarter panel work will require more time and applied skills than the fender chore. Welding will be necessary when this console is being replaced. Also required is an exact paint match with the door, B-pillar (if applicable), roof, fascia and trunk hat. This review of quarter panel replacement is focused on a tardily model Dodge Challenger.

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The Use of Heat

Earlier we get into the specifics of quarter panel replacement, a warning concerning the use of heat is in order. The FCA US LLC engineering position on the utilize of rut during standoff repair is as follows:

Torso panels or frame components sustaining impairment, which are to be repaired and reused, must be repaired using the common cold straightening method. No heat may exist used during the straightening process. During rough straightening prior to console replacement, damaged panels or frame components may be heated to aid in torso/frame realignment, but the awarding of oestrus must be constrained to the parts that will be replaced and should non be allowed to affect any other components.

This "no heat" recommendation is due to the extensive use of high-strength and advanced loftier-forcefulness steels in FCA US products. High-strength materials tin be substantially and negatively affected by heat input, which will non be evidently known to the consumer.

Ignoring these recommendations may pb to serious compromises in the ability to protect occupants in a hereafter collision, reduce the engineered qualities and attributes, and/or decrease the durability and reliability of the vehicle.

The Rear Quarter Panel

The rear quarter panel is not a bolt-on torso component like a door or trunk lid. Information technology is a large body side section, extending from the abaft edge of the doors to the rear bumper. Information technology is function of a welded associates normally known as the body side aperture. This assembly also includes the framework for the doors and side windows. In that location is a right side and a left side aperture.

These two assemblies, along with the other components such equally the vehicle'south underbody, rocker panels, frame rails, back console, tail lamp console and roof panel, are welded together to comprise the unibody.

Vehicle Inspection

Because the rear quarter console is a component of a welded assembly, the energy from the body-damaging collision may be spread throughout the unit of measurement. Therefore, a thorough inspection of the damaged expanse is necessary. Recall that the rear quarter panel is ane of the boundaries of the trunk and door openings alike. Check the opening/closing and the margin fit of the doors and trunk. Tail lamps, rear bumper fascia and rear bumper reinforcement might too have suffered damage.

The about of import consideration is the structural alignment of the unibody. Information technology is critical that alignment be verified with 3D measuring systems. If alignment is off and not corrected, it will be nearly incommunicable to install the replacement console correctly.

Quarter Panel Removal

Earlier y'all starting time cutting sheet metal to remove the quarter panel, the components next to it must be removed. This includes the deck lid, weather-stripping, rear tail lamps, rear wheelhouse, splash shield, compression link and spring. If y'all are removing the driver's side console, the fuel door must exist removed from the quarter panel to access the inlet tube feeding the fuel tank.

Quarter panels are spot welded in place. Drilling through these spot welds is 1 method of removal. A plasma cutter or cutoff cycle can also be used. Call back the corporate alert on the employ of rut in performing body repair work. Another removal tool is the air chisel.

Try to follow the contour of the panel while trying to make all cuts in straight lines. Transfer the cut lines to the new panel and trim to fit as necessary. Be every bit precise and accurate every bit possible.

Side by side, position the replacement panel over the damaged area of the quarter console. Trace the outline of the replacement panel on the existing 1. Remove the replacement panel and advisedly use your air chisel to cut out the damaged area. Be sure to cut along the inside edge of your scribed line. Any areas that are bent can be flattened using a hammer and dolly.

Later you lot've finished removing the quarter panel, clean the cut edges with a high-speed grinder. Exist sure the edges are clean and gratis of rust. If any rust does be, apply a rust-arresting compound.

Quarter Panel Installation

Properly preparing the rear quarter console earlier installation is essential. All new torso panels are coated with electrocoat primer. This coating must exist removed ¾" high along the mating edges of the panel in order to properly weld bond it into place. Failure to practise this will prevent the proper adhesion of agglutinative and effect period of weld current, resulting in an insufficient weld.

Dry fit the quarter panel with the adjacent body parts and concur it in place with locking pliers or sheet metallic screws. Cheque the fit then install the trunk lid (Figure 1). Utilize the structural adhesives that are required using the slowest curing production . This will give adequate time for final wet fit. Fasten the panel with self-tapping screws to hold it in place.

With the panel in place and the agglutinative applied, resistance spot-weld the panel to secure it. Then, use a MIG welder to do the final barrel welding. Remove the self-borer screws. Grind down the welds and make full in any surface imperfections with body filler to consummate the chore. Seam seal the area earlier painting.

Finishing Details

Recheck the gap and flush on the trunk lid and side door (Figure i). Trunk lid adjustment is done by loosening the screws that secure the upper swivel bracket to the trunk lid (Figure 2) and moving it to the right position. The lateral door adjustment is washed by loosening the hinge-to-hinge pillar fasteners one at a fourth dimension and moving the door to the correct position. The vertical adjustment of the door position can be done past loosening latch striker bolts (Figure 3) and moving the door to the correct position.

The stop of the new panel is very of import. Painting can present some problems. The new paint volition have to alloy into the existing paint seamlessly. Also, it will have to match the pigment on the door, roof, rear fascia and trunk lid. Make yourself a sprayout of the color and verify the match before spraying whatsoever paint on the vehicle to ensure a perfect job. Refer to the half-dozen FCA US canonical refinish paint suppliers (Axalta, Akzo Nobel, BASF, PPG, Sherwin-Williams and Valspar) for detailed paint application recommendations.

Information technology's important that, when working on a FCA Us LLC vehicle, you are fully aware of the mill positions regarding sensitive procedures and parts sources. Visit: www.MoparRepairConnection.com for those factory official positions that can salve yous time and trouble on your side by side body repair.

Source: https://www.moparmagazine.com/2015/09/body-repair/

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