Checking Damage

BODY REPAIR FUNDAMENTALS

CHECKING DAMAGE

When completing body and frame repairs, the front body and underbody dimensions must be correct, because these dimensions directly affect wheel alignment and steering angles.

The degree of damage should be determined by using a steel tape, tram tracking gauge and centering gauge or other measuring device. The measuring points are shown in the Body Repair Manual for each model. Wheel alignments are shown for each model.

1. CENTERING GAUGE
Suspend the body so that it is symmetrical to the frame member. Check for bending or twisting in the body.




1. TYPES

2. DETERMINING STATE OF DEFORMATION




- Normal state
The horizontal bar and center target are in their correct positions.




- Twist
The horizontal bar is tilted on both ends.




- Sag
One of the horizontal bars is lower in the vertical direction than the others.




- Side-sway
The horizontal bars are correctly aligned, but the center target is displaced.

2. TRACKING GAUGE AND STEEL TAPE




Measure the distance between two points. Before using the tracking gauge, check the measuring points with the steel tape.

1. TRACKING GAUGE
- Fit the tracking gauge correctly to the measuring point.
- The dimension is indicated between the hole center. If measurement is unavailable, use the method shown below.







2. STEEL TAPE
- Shape the end of the rule for ease of measurement.
- If the measuring point hole diameter is different, use the following measuring method.

3. THREE-DIMENSIONAL MEASURING EQUIPMENT
The equipment has function of the measurement to display the vehicle measuring points in three dimensions: height, width and length




1. UNIVERSAL JIG TYPE
This is one of the universal jig type body straightening equipment functions.

The jig is assembled according to the instruction card specific to each vehicle model. The jig, which can move forward/backward, left/right, and up/down, is anchored to each location on the underbody. The three-dimensional coordinates for the anchored point are read from the scale at the sliding base and jig head positions.




2. UNIVERSAL MEASURING TYPE
The probe, which can move forward/backward, left/right, and up/down, is positioned on the frame. The three- dimensional coordinates at the measurement point and the distance between measurement holes can be measured by bringing the probe into contact with a locating hole on the body.

It is set on the straightening equipment for use.




3. LASER TYPE
The three-dimensional coordinates are read using convergence and straight-line stability of a laser beam.

A laser beam is used for measurement. Once set, repair work can be performed during measurement.




4. COMPUTER MEASURING TYPE
This is set on the straightening equipment. The probe which is mounted on flexible arm is positioned at each point of the vehicle body for measurement.

The computer compares the vehicle model data and the actual measurement data to identify the damage range and determine acceptability.




5. ULTRASOUND TYPE
Ultrasound is transmitted from the probe, installed at the measurement point on the vehicle body, to the beam placed under the body in order to measure the three-dimensional coordinates at each measurement point.