Body/Frame - Structural Repair Components
NUMBER: 31-002-11GROUP: Collision Bulletin
DATE: November 10, 2011
SUBJECT:
Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs
OVERVIEW:
This is Chrysler Group LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage.
DISCUSSION:
Chrysler Group LLC vehicles, systems and components are engineered, tested and manufactured to protect vehicle occupants based upon both government mandated and internal corporate requirements relative to durability, NVH (noise/vibration/harshness), occupant protection, and vehicle safety. The overall structural integrity of the vehicle is dependent on its inherent design specifications. Sheet metal and glass are critical elements in the design of specific crush zones that allow the energy of a collision to be absorbed in a predictable way and maximize the effectiveness of the restraint system to protect the occupants. The use of parts not specifically designed and tested by Chrysler Group LLC may compromise the integral balance between these safety systems. Only Authentic Mopar� Repair Parts and glass are designed, engineered, manufactured and tested to the Chrysler Group LLC internal and government mandated standards and are the only ones equivalent to the originally installed parts. Chrysler Group LLC does not approve of or recognize structural repair procedures where Authentic Mopar Parts are not used for Chrysler, Jeep(R), Dodge and Ram vehicles. Any repairs performed not using Mopar parts, and not following published repair guidelines and procedures, may expose current or future vehicle owners and occupants to unnecessary risk. When restoring a collision damaged vehicle to pre-loss condition, consideration must be given to the following:
^ All structural distortion has been identified and corrected using appropriate structural straightening equipment ("frame rack~) and a three-dimensional measuring system.
^ All damaged panels have been repaired or replaced.
^ All replaced panels provide the as-built structural equivalence and corrosion protection of the original panels.
^ Unless partial replacement procedures are documented in a Chrysler Group LLC publication, structural panels must be installed in their entirety - partial replacement or "sectioning of panels may compromise vehicle structure.
^ Chrysler Group LLC does not support the use or re-use of any structural component which has been removed from a vehicle previously damaged, flooded, burned, scrapped or removed from use for any other reason--commonly referred to as "salvage parts."
^ While some salvage parts may "appear" equivalent, there can be dramatic differences in the design and functional characteristics which cannot be determined by a visual inspection and which could have a negative effect on the vehicle occupants in a future collision event.
^ Salvage components may have been affected by crash impact loads, incorrect, improper or inadequate disassembly and removal procedures, weathering or environmental exposure outside of that expected during normal use.
^ Salvage components are not traceable should a component recall be required in the future.
This statement supersedes any previously released information by Chrysler Group LLC.
For more information, log on to www.MoparRepairConnection.com.
POLICY:
Information Only.
Disclaimer:
This bulletin is supplied as technical information only and is not an authorization for repair.