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 pump - removal and refitting
    Caution: Refer to the precautions in Section 1 before proceeding. Mechanical pump Note: A new gasket must be used when refitting the pump. 1 Disconnect the battery negative lead. 2 For improved ...

    Rear tie-bar (Saloon and Estate models) - removal and refitting
    Removal 1 Before attempting to remove a tie-bar, note the location of all washers and bushes. These control the rear wheel alignment and they must be returned to their original locations. 2 Raise ...

    Fuel pump - removal and refitting
    The fuel pump is integral with the fuel level sender unit in the fuel tank. Removal and refitting are as described in Part C of this Chapter for models with the CFI system. ...