FCA releases batch of new body repair manuals; review what to do, not do on latest models
By onAnnouncements | Associations | Education | Repair Operations | Technology
FCA has released a burst of body repair information on the latest, most structurally and cosmetically advanced Fiat, Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, RAM and Alfa vehicles, I-CAR reported Friday.
While some procedures can only be found on the FCA paid site, the OEM ranks among one of the best in terms of giving the industry free collision guidelines. You’re doing yourself and your customers a disservice if you fail to take FCA up on its generosity.
The information contained on the site — including that for older models — can’t be ignored by any shop wanting to do a quality repair. Its gratis availability also means you could forward links or the entire .PDF to customers (who increasingly welcome digital communication) or insurers to show precisely what you’re doing and why it’s important.
Here’s a few examples, some of which likely apply to other FCA vehicles as well.
Squibs: Do you know how to determine through diagnostic trouble codes whether one or both squibs have blown on a 2015-present Dodge Challenger airbag? If not, the intact squib could still fire.
Materials: How about where you can and can’t section and what steels can’t be repaired on a 2014-present Jeep Cherokee, FCA’s top-selling non-RAM model last year?
Joining: Are you up on your combination of structural adhesive and squeeze-type resistance spot welding for a 2015-present Chrysler 200?(Even if the Detroit Free Press has reported FCA’s winding down the model, Chrysler still sells a lot of them, and odds are your shop will see one.)
If such procedures were a surprise to you or you didn’t even know this sort of OEM assistance existed, consider this your wake-up call to always refer to OEM procedures before doing any repairs.
Given that the Internet lets OEM update their recommendations at any time, you’re going to want to recheck the online procedures for FCA’s and other automakers’ vehicles before every single repair — not just print/download them once a generation or even once a model year, experts advised at SEMA.
I-CAR’s instructions on how to access the free and paid FCA repair sites can be found here. The educational organization has also prepared two “how-to” videos:
More information:
“Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) Adds Updated Body Repair Manuals”
I-CAR Repairability Technical Support, March 18, 2016
“Step-By-Step: Accessing Fiat Chrysler Automobile Repair Information”
I-CAR Repairability Technical Support, May 27, 2015
Mopar Repair Connection website
Images:
Free collision repair information can be found on the FCA Mopar Repair Connection website. (Screenshot from www.moparrepairconnection.com)
Determine through diagnostic trouble codes whether one or both squibs have blown on a 2015 Dodge Challenger airbag. If not, the intact squib could still fire. (Provided by FCA)
It’s important to know where you can and can’t section and what steels can’t be repaired on a 2014 Jeep Cherokee. (Provided by FCA)
Chrysler requires combinations of structural adhesive and squeeze-type resistance spot welding in some areas of the 2015 Chrysler 200. (Provided by FCA)