Mitsubishi MOTORS Lancer Evolution VIII 2003, Technical Information Manual

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BODY REPAIR
BASE OF BODY REPAIR
9-27
USING A FRAME STRAIGHTENER
M4090013000011
For serious and extensive damage, when for exam-
ple the damage extends to the frame of members, it
is necessary to first use a frame straightener to make
a rough, overall repair of the body, and then to pro-
ceed to careful repairs of each individual area of
damage. When a frame straightener is used for body
repairs, it is a fundamental principle that the pulling
should be in the direction from which the impact was
sustained, and from the opposite direction. If this is,
in error, not done, previously undamaged compo-
nents will be deformed, and repair may become
impossible.
It is for that reason that it is important to decide upon
the method of repair, especially regarding the initial
overall repair, by following the steps below.
OVERALL ROUGH REPAIRS
1. First, analyze the impact. This means analysis
and consideration of the point of collision, the
speed at the time of collision, and the strength,
weight and shape of the object hit.
2. Then get a complete understanding of the
condition of the existing damage. In particular, if
the damage extends to the suspension installation
components, an inspection must be made to
determine whether or not there is any deviation of
the frame or body alignment.
3. Finally, determine what repair methods should be
used.
•
To what extent will frame straightening and other
overall repairs be necessary in order to restore
the damaged areas to the way they were?
•
At what stage of the repairs should panels adjoin-
ing the components to be frame straightened,
etc., be removed?
•
Decide upon the work steps and restoration
methods to be followed after the rough, overall
repairs are completed.
Select the frame straightener based upon the results
of above, and use it to pull in the appropriate direc-
tion. More than one direction may be appropriate,
depending upon the damage.
If the damage is of a moderate degree or less, it may
be possible to do all that is necessary in one pull.
If, however, the damage is major, that is to say if
repairs must be made to components of the passen-
ger compartment such as the dash panel, etc., it may
be necessary, after completing the first pull, to set up
the frame straightener at a different position and use
it again at that position.
FRAME STRAIGHTENING NOTES
•
For safety, no one must be standing in the direction of the
pull.
•
Wires or chains should be used for protection in the event
of an accident.
•
For frame straightening of body with frame, care should be
taken regarding the position (body mount) of installation to
the frame. The reason for this is that usually mounting rub-
ber pieces are used at the installation part in order to
improve vibration prevention, and these mounting rubber
pieces might be deformed if there is a deviation of the
installation position.
•
If the part to be pulled is made of high-tensile steel (which
has a higher tensional strength and yield point than ordinary
steel), the pulling must be done with care in order to avoid
"overpull" and "springback." It is particularly important for
the pulling of sidemembers and other reinforcement compo-
nents made of high-tensile steel that the pulling not be all
done at one time; pull gradually while using a hammer to
repair distorted areas as the pulling is done.
AB200103AB
WIRES FOR
PROTECTION