Collision Repair Training | Australia
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Collision Repair Training | Australia
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Current Events/News: Advantage Online: 2005 Archives
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 2006 HONDA RIDGELINE
December 27, 2005 - The first pickup truck for Honda, the 2006 Honda Ridgeline (see Figure 1), is a half-ton unitized body on a ladder frame. The bed is sheet-molded compound (SMC) with a lockable trunk compartment. There are enough unique features on this truck to warrant special interest from a collision repair point of view. Construction The Ridgeline frame and body basically uses three types of steel, including mild steel, “high-tension steel sheet,” and ultra-high-strength steel (UHSS). UHSS is used for the front and rear bumper beams and the four door guard beams. Honda emphasizes that these parts should never be repaired. If any part of the door guard beams is damaged, the full door assembly must be replaced. The door shells are made using tailor-welded blanks, with thicker steel in the high-stress areas. High-tension steel sheet is described as having greater tension strength than conventional high-tension steel sheet, or high-strength steel (HSS). This enables the sheet steel to be thinner, yet maintain the same strength capacity. This steel is used for the ladder frame parts, pillar and rocker panel inner reinforcements, and the inner roof rails. The ladder frame includes two box-type construction frame rails and seven crossmembers (see Figure 2). Three of the crossmembers reinforce the SMC bed. There is also an engine cradle with a front tubular crossmember, and a rear subframe, both HSS. The Ridgeline has a unitized upperbody, with a seamless uniside from the A-pillar to the bed side (see Figure 3). There are two diagonal HSS braces reinforcing the back of the cab to help limit damage to the cab when cargo slides forward during a collision (see Figure 4). Individual plastic parts, their identification, and notes on possible refinishing problems are called out in the available Ridgeline body repair manual (part number 61SJC30). Body repair information is also available from the www.ServiceExpress.Honda.com web site. For example, it is noted that brake fluid or wax and grease remover can damage polycarbonate plastics used on the tailgate and door handles, among other places. Structural Repairs There are several sectioning procedures for the uniside. Service parts include the front door ring, the rear half of the uniside, and the outer rocker panel. Sectioning procedures are described for the outer A-pillar, B-pillar, rocker panel, and quarter/bedside panel. When replacing the partial outer panels, a combination of spot welds and GMA (MIG) plug welds is recommended along the flanges. Illustrations provide the exact locations and number of these welds. A GMA (MIG) butt joint with backing is recommended at the cut line seams. Honda recommends attaching the inserts with GMA (MIG) plug welds. The roof panel, spot welded along the rails, is bolted at the corners rather than plug welded. There are specific repair guidelines for the SMC bed. For example, Honda recommends the bed not be repaired if the structure is cracked and the back is not accessible. Also, the damage should not be repaired if the damaged area is within 50 mm (2") of the six main attachment bolts. Safety Features All three trim levels of the Ridgeline feature four-wheel anti-lock brakes with Electronic Brake Assist and a tire pressure monitoring system. The Vehicle Stability Assist with Traction Control is the truck’s electronic stability control. This system helps reduce the chance of the driver losing control by recognizing unstable conditions such as oversteer and understeer and automatically reacting to correct the path of the vehicle. Restraint systems include advanced dual-stage, dual-threshold driver and passenger airbags. The passenger airbag uses the windshield to direct the deployment toward the passenger. The passenger seat is equipped with an occupant classification system. There are seat-mounted side airbags for both the driver and passenger. An occupant position detection system, in the form of an antenna built into the seat backrest, ensures that the passenger side airbag has a clear path for deployment. If a small person is leaning into the deployment path, the antenna signals the airbag control module to turn the side airbag OFF. An indicator lamp in the instrument panel shows that the side airbag is OFF. There are also side curtain airbags on each side that extend the full length of the cab. Rollover sensors, one under the front passenger seat, detect if a rollover is imminent. In case of a rollover, both side curtain airbags deploy. The driver and front passenger seats are both equipped with seat belt pre-tensioners. The airbag control unit, including the safing sensor and impact sensor, is located under the left-side instrument panel. Side impact sensors are located near the base of the front seats and in the rear wheelhouses. Front impact sensors are located behind the bumper cover. After a collision which results in any airbag deployment, Honda requires replacement of the airbag modules that deployed and the airbag control module. In addition, after a front airbag deployment, both seat belt pre-tensioners and both front impact sensors must be replaced. Additional replacement items after a side airbag deployment include both side impact sensors and the B-pillar lower trim panel on the side that deployed. Additional replacement items after a curtain airbag deployment include the seat belt pre-tensioner, side impact sensors, roof trim panel, A-, B-, and C-pillar trim panels, the front and rear grab handles, any related trim clip, and the sun visor, all on the side that deployed. The roll rate sensor under the passenger seat is also replaced after a curtain airbag deployment. Pedestrian safety is considered with the body design. To help reduce pedestrian injuries in the event of a collision, there are energy-absorbing hood supports/fender mounts that are designed to deform if contacted by the head of an adult or child pedestrian (see Figure 5). Convenience Features There are some standard features included on the Ridgeline that might not be expected on a pickup truck. Two highly advertised features are the dual-opening tailgate and the lockable in-bed compartment (see Figure 6). The dual-opening door allows the tailgate to swing open, or be folded down. The load-supporting compartment lid takes up about one-half the length of the 1.5 meter (5 foot) bed. The spare tire is located on a slide-out tray at the front of this compartment. Power outside mirrors are standard as are power windows including the side glass as well as the sliding rear glass. A keyless entry system is also standard equipment. The radio antenna is hidden under the rear section of the roof panel, behind the upper brake lamp. The antenna stretches from C-pillar to C-pillar. The highest level RTL model features standard satellite radio and a navigation system. There is an automatic heated zone at the base of the windshield so that when the windshield wipers are in the parked position, they will not get stuck in freezing temperatures (see Figure 7). Conclusion The first pickup for Honda is a mid-size unitized body on a ladder frame with all of the room, safety, and convenience features of a passenger car. The body repair manual includes guidelines for working with the advanced high-strength steel and the SMC bed. Sectioning procedures are available for parts of the one-piece uniside. |
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