Technician Safety Information
FRAMEWARNING - SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
WARNING: Before performing any welding operations disconnect and isolate the battery negative (ground) cable and disconnect all wire harness connectors from the airbag control module (acm). Failure to take the proper precautions could result in accidental airbag deployment and other possible damage to the supplemental restraint system circuits and components.
- Use eye protection when grinding or welding metal, serious eye injury can result.
- Before proceeding with frame repair involving grinding or welding, verify that vehicle fuel system is not leaking or in contact with repair area, personal injury can result.
- Do not allow open flame or heat and metal spatter from arc welding, to contact plastic body panels. Fire or explosion can result.
- When welded frame components are replaced, ensure complete penetration weld is achieved during installation. If not, dangerous operating conditions can result.
- Stand clear of cables or chains on pulling equipment during frame straightening operations, personal injury can result.
- Do not venture under a hoisted vehicle that is not supported on safety stands, personal injury can result.
- No heat may be used if frame straightening is required. The use of heat is acceptable in those situations where the part being heated will be replaced.
Failure to follow these instructions may result in personal injury.
CAUTION: Do not reuse damaged fasteners, quality of repair would be suspect. Failure to use only production fasteners or fasteners of equivalent hardness can result in loosening or failure. Do not drill any holes in the frame that are not specifically outlined in this or other, Mitsubishi procedure as frame rail failure can result.
WARNING - USE OF HEAT DURING REPAIR
WARNING: Mitsubishi Motors engineering's position on the use of heat during collision repair is as follows:
- Any body panel or frame component damaged which is to be repaired and reused, must be repaired using the "cold straightening" method. No heat may be used during the straightening process.
- During rough straightening prior to panel replacement, damaged panels or frame components may be heated to assist in body/frame realignment. The application of heat must be constrained to the parts which will be replaced and not allowed to affect any other components.
This "no heat" recommendation is due to the extensive use of high strength and advanced high strength steels in Mitsubishi Motors products. High-strength materials can be substantially and negatively affected from heat input which will not be obviously known to the repairer or consumer.Ignoring these recommendations may lead to serious compromises in the ability to protect occupants in a future collision event, reduce the engineered qualities and attributes, or decrease the durability and reliability of the vehicle.Failure to follow these instructions may result in serious or fatal injury.This statement supersedes any previously released information by the Mitsubishi Motors.