Lincoln Nautilus: Body Repairs - Vehicle Specific Information and Tolerance Checks / Body Panel Sectioning. General Procedures

Special Tool(s) / General Equipment

Materials

Repair

NOTICE: Do not begin removal of the vehicle body side until the replacement panel is available for reference.

NOTICE: Do not carry out body side sectioning repairs in areas of door hinge, safety belt or striker anchoring points. Welding within 50 mm (1.96 in) of door hinge or striker locations may compromise structural integrity during a collision.

NOTICE: Sectioning within the door hinge portion of the A-pillar, B-pillar or dog leg portion of the quarter panel is not approved by Ford Motor Company.

NOTE: LH side shown, RH side similar.

1. Only remove as much of the outer body side panel material as necessary using available tools.
   Refer to: Joining Techniques (501-25 Body Repairs - General Information, General Procedures).
   

1. Body side replacement panels are released as 2-part panels.
   

1. Detrim the vehicle as necessary and remove spot welds from the damaged area.
   Use the General Equipment: Spot Weld Drill Bit

1. NOTE: Use resistance spotwelding equipment where possible. This will produce a higher quality repair.

   NOTE: When welding overlapping surfaces or substrates, apply a high quality weld-through primer between the surfaces prior to welding.

   Where possible, create a lap-joint backer plate using a portion of the old panel. This will create a stronger joint.
   Use the General Equipment: Resistance Spotwelding Equipment
   Use the General Equipment: MIG/MAG Welding Equipment

1. Rough finish all sectioning joints with a fibre-based body filler, final finish sectioning joints and plug welds with a conventional body filler.
   

1. Properly seal all horizontal joints to prevent moisture intrusion. Water and moisture migrate toward horizontal joints and corrosion tends to occur more rapidly in these areas.
   Material: Seam Sealer / TA-2-B, 3M™ 08308, LORD Fusor® 803DTM

1. Proceed with the refinishing process using a Ford approved paint system and manufacturers recommendations.
   

1. Refer to: Corrosion Prevention (501-25 Body Repairs - General Information, General Procedures).
   

1. Reinstall vehicle trim as necessary.