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.
See also:
Front suspension crossmember - removal and refitting
Removal
1 Remove the steering gear.
2 Support the engine with a jack and
interposed block of wood under the sump.
3 Unscrew and remove the engine mounting
nuts from the top of the mountings in th ...
Interior pillar trim panels - removal and refitting
Front pillar
1 Remove the two trim panel securing screws
and withdraw the panel (see illustration)..
41.1 Interior pillar trim panel fixings - Hatchback models
A Front pillar trim panel
B1 Cent ...
Tailgate/boot lid lock and cylinder - removal and refitting
Removal
1 Remove the trim panel as described in
Section 32.
2 Extract the lock cylinder retaining clip,
disconnect the control rods and remove the
cylinder.
3 Undo the three screws and detach th ...
