Body Panel Sectioning

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

1. WARNING: Before beginning any service procedure in this section, REFER to Safety Warnings in section 100-00 General Information. Failure to follow this instruction may result in serious personal injury.

   Refer to: Body Repair Health and Safety and General Precautions (100-00 General Information, Description and Operation).
   

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

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

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

   Body side replacement panels are released as 2-part panels. Only remove as much of the body side as necessary.
   General Equipment : Air Body Saw
   General Equipment : Plasma Cutter

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

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

   Body side replacement panels are released as 2-part panels. Only remove as much of the body side as necessary.
   General Equipment : Air Body Saw
   General Equipment : Plasma Cutter

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.
   General Equipment : Resistance Spotwelding Equipment
   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

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.
   

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