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:

    Fuel tank - removal and refitting
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    Engine dismantling, examination, renovation and reassembly - general information
    Dismantling 1 Refer to Chapter 2, Part A, Section 18, paragraphs 1 to 8 inclusive. 2 A suitable selection of splined and Torx sockets will be required to remove many of the bolts when dismantling ...

    Minor body damage - repair
    Note: For more detailed information about bodywork repair, Haynes Publishing produce a book by Lindsay Porter called ”The Car Bodywork Repair Manual”. This incorporates information on such aspects ...