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:

    Rear anti-roll bar (Saloon, Hatchback and Estate models) - removal and refitting
    Removal 1 Loosen the rear roadwheel nuts, chock the front wheels, jack up the rear of the vehicle and support on axle stands placed under the side members. 2 Prise off the straps which connect th ...

    Examination and renovation
    Crankshaft, bearings, cylinder bores and pistons 1 Refer to Section 13 in Part A of this Chapter. The information applies equally to the CVH engine, except that standard sized crankshafts are unm ...

    OHV and HCS engines
    The 1.1 litre and 1.3 litre OHV engines are of four-cylinder, in-line overhead valve type (hence OHV), mounted transversely together with the transmission, at the front of the car. The crankshaft ...