I-CAR/Ford guest column: Repairing 2019 Expedition, Lincoln Navigator
By onEducation | Repair Operations | Technology
Editor’s note: The latest issue of Ford’s free On Target newsletter for collision repairers contains an in-depth I-CAR look at potential structural and ADAS considerations on the 2019 Ford Expedition and its sister Lincoln Navigator. Though you’ll obviously need the actual Ford OEM repair procedures and to verify build data to fix either vehicle correctly, we felt the article’s detail provided a nice heads-up to estimators, managers and technicians prior to one of the popular vehicles appearing in your shop. Both Ford and I-CAR graciously allowed us to reprint it for you here; repairers should also check out the I-CAR 360° Expedition/Navigator video referenced as well.
By Mark Bochenek
The I-CAR Repairability Technical Support® (RTS) team has released a new I-CAR 360° video highlighting many of the features and changes to the 2019 Ford Expedition/Lincoln Navigator. The video includes an overview of the vehicle structure, highlights the Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) technologies—detailed below—and discusses some of the required calibrations that need to be completed after other repairs are finished.
The new video—as well as other I-CAR 360° videos—can be accessed on I-CAR’s RTS Portal at RTS.i-car.com/icar360.
The 2019 Expedition/Navigator features an all-aluminum body with a high-strength steel (HSS) frame. Some of the latest ADAS features have also been added, which collision repair professionals need to be knowledgeable about in order to perform complete, safe and quality repairs.
Starting at the front of the vehicle, there are park-assist sensors located in the front bumper, and a Cruise Control Module (CCM) located behind the front bumper. In the case of an accident or removal of the bumper, both types of sensors must be calibrated following OEM repair procedures.
There is also a camera located in the windshield that is part of the Lane Keeping System (LKS), which requires calibration by the collision repairer after either its removal or replacement.
The frame offers two replacement options: a short front-frame rail procedure and a front-frame section procedure. Both procedures utilize welded lap-joints at factory seams.
Technicians familiar with the aluminum body on the Ford F-150 can transfer their knowledge to the Expedition/Navigator’s repair procedures from the front of the vehicle to the B-pillar because they are identical. However, from the B-pillar to the back of the vehicle, the repair procedures are exclusive to the Expedition/Navigator.
The lower A-pillar and B-pillar reinforcements must be replaced at the factory seams, but both can be removed without removing the roof. Keep in mind that the outer-side has various sectioning procedures available, including the outer A-pillar and the outer B-pillar. The door skins can be replaced using a rivet bonding procedure covered in the official Ford Workshop Manual, located on Motorcraftservice.com.
In addition, the floor pan has sectioning procedures, and notes sectioning must be 50mm— roughly 2 inches—away from all seat-anchoring parts. Reference the Ford Workshop Manual for full details.
Like the front bumper, the rear bumper incorporates parking-assist sensors. If the bumper is removed or replaced, the parking-assist sensors must be re-calibrated.
Blind-spot radar sensors are located in the corner of the bumper. When mud, ice or debris is present, these sensors could be affected and may not provide the desired level of driver assistance.
One of the optional ADAS technologies is the 360° camera system. In vehicles with this feature, cameras in the mirrors and grille work in conjunction with the backup camera. In the case of removal of any one camera, all items (the mirrors, grille and backup camera) must be re-calibrated.
Mark Bochenek is I-CAR’s OEM business development principal.
More information:
“VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS REPAIR CONSIDERATIONS FOR 2019 FORD EXPEDITION/LINCOLN NAVIGATOR”
I-CAR in Ford On Target, 2019
Featured images: A 2019 Ford Expedition Stealth Edition is shown. (Provided by Ford)