EFFICIENT REMOVAL OF BODY PANELS
2016 – MX-5 – General Information
EFFICIENT REMOVAL OF BODY PANELS
Body Measurements
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Before removal or rough–cutting, first measure the body at and around the damaged area against the standard reference dimension specifications. If there is deformation, use frame repair equipment to make a rough correction.
Prevention of Body Deformation
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Use a clamp or a jack for removal and reinforce at and around the rough–cutting location to prevent deforming of the body.
Selection of Cut–and–join Locations
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For parts where complete replacement is not feasible, careful cutting and joining operations should be followed. If the location to be cut is a flat area where there is no reinforcement, the selected cutting location should be where the welding distortion will be minimal.
Removal of Associated Parts
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Protect moldings, garnishes, and ornaments with tape when removing associated parts.
Rough Cutting of Damaged Panel
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Verify that there are no parts (such as pipes, hoses, and wiring harness) nearby or on the opposite side of a panel which could be damaged by heat.
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For cut–and–join areas, allow for an overlap of 30—50 mm {1.2—1.9 in} and then rough–cut the damaged panel.