Major body damage - repair

Where serious damage has occurred or large areas need renewal due to neglect, it means that completely new sections or panels will need welding in, and this is best left to professionals. If the damage is due to impact, it will also be necessary to completely check the alignment of the bodyshell structure. Due to the principle of construction, the strength and shape of the whole car can be affected by damage to one part. In such instances the service of a dealer with specialist checking jigs are essential. If a body is left misaligned, it is first of all dangerous, as the car will not handle properly, and secondly uneven stresses will be imposed on the steering, engine and transmission, causing abnormal wear or complete failure. Tyre wear may also be excessive.

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    Thermostat - removal and refitting
    1 Disconnect the battery negative lead. 2 Drain the cooling system. 3 Proceed as follows according to model: SOHC models 4 Disconnect the radiator top hose and expansion tank hose from the thermo ...

    Steering wheel - removal and refitting
    Removal 1 According to model, either pull off the steering wheel trim, prise out the insert which carries the Ford motif at the centre, or carefully prise up and lift off the horn push followed by ...

    Rear seat catch - removal and refitting
    Saloon models 1 Working in the luggage compartment, release the seat catch by pulling the release knob, or if the cable is broken, use a screwdriver to release the catch itself. 2 Fold the backre ...