Straightening Inspection

Straightening Inspection

Whenever possible, structural members should be Every accident produces individual differences in cold straightened under tension. Do not attempt to damage. Each repair is influenced by the extent of the straighten with a single pull, but rework the damaged damage and by the facilities and equipment available area using a series of pulls, releasing tension between for its rectification. each stage and using the opportunity to check alignment. Most accident damage can be visually inspected and the approximate extent of the damage assessed. Body jig Sometimes deformation will extend beyond the area of direct damage, and the severity of this must be Unless damage is limited to cosmetic panels, all repair accurately established so that steps may be taken to work to body members must be carried out on a body restore critical body components to their original jig, to ensure that impact damage has not spread into dimensions. more remote parts of the body structure. Mounting on a jig will also ensure that the straightening and panel An initial check of critical dimensions can be carried replacement procedures do not cause further out by means of drop checks or (preferably) trammels. distortion. If original dimensions cannot be Gauges are available which will check accurately for satisfactorily restored by these methods, damaged body twist. Where repairs necessitate renewal of a structural members should be replaced. Damaged critical body component it is recommended that a areas should be cut away using a high speed saw, body jig is used. NOT an oxy-acetylene torch.

As a rule, body dimensions are symmetrical about the centre line. A good initial check for distortion is therefore to measure diagonally and to investigate apparent differences in dimensions.