Collision Repair Training | Australia
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Collision Repair Training | Australia
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Current Events/News: Advantage Online: 2008 Archives
TECHNICAL INFORMATION ON THE I-CAR WEB SITE There are several technical resources and information available on the I-CAR web site. If you have not been to the I-CAR web site lately, or if you are unaware of what assets are available, read on. From the I-CAR home page (www.i-car.com), valuable technical information can be accessed from the Technical Information page (see Figure 1) that can be accessed by clicking on the Technical Information text at the top of the screen. While navigating the I-CAR web site, the Technical Information tab is available from any page on the I-CAR web site. Reference topics include:
If you find yourself going to the I-CAR web site often for reference information and answers, make your life easier by making this your homepage. Though you may not find exactly what you are looking for at a specific time, information is occasionally updated, and during your next visit, the answers may be available. This article is a tour of these reference topics. I-CAR Advantage Online The I-CAR Advantage Online is a collection of over 20 years of technical articles written by I-CAR. Since 1988, I-CAR has released over 500 articles. Article subjects have included new refinishing products and materials, information on advanced high-strength steels, new tools for collision repair use, highlights of new model vehicles, and clarifications on specific repairs. Originally only available through a subscription-based format, these newsletters can now be accessed free of charge on the I-CAR web site at http://209.103.220.181/e_newsletter. Top Technical Inquiries The Top Technical Inquiries is a listing of the top 11 technical inquiries that the I-CAR Tech Centre has received over the past 15 years (see Figure 2). Each question is followed by a collaborative answer that most technicians should find helpful regardless of the vehicle in question. Some of the top technical inquiries and general responses listed on this page include:
Even though technology has changed over the years, the core questions that continue to be asked remain essentially the same. To see the responses to these and other technical inquiries, go to: Vehicle Makers’ Technical Information In the Vehicle Makers’ Technical Information section of the web site is an alphabetical listing of all the vehicle maker technical information web sites (see Figure 3). In addition to the links to each of the vehicle maker technical information web sites, there is a description of the content included on the web site, computer system requirements (if any), and whether the web site is subscription-based or complimentary. An example of a complimentary web site is the GM Goodwrench web site. This web site offers complimentary access to some of the available body repair information from General Motors, but no mechanical service information. That technical information is found on the subscription-based web site for GM. Knowing this, it is a good idea to always check the complimentary web site first, but realize that it may require a subscription for access to get what you need (see Figure 4). The GM complimentary body repair web site can be found at http://www.techinfo.gmgoodwrench.com. Keep in mind that I-CAR is only offering a link to the vehicle maker web sites. I-CAR is not associated with the e-commerce or web site support for the vehicle makers. Other reference information can also be found at the National Automotive Service Task Force (NASTF) at http://www.nastf.org. On this web site, there is information about:
Airbag Parts Replacement Charts The Airbag Parts Replacement Charts allows you to quickly determine which restraint system parts the vehicle maker recommends replacing or inspecting following a collision when there has been an airbag deployment. The chart requires entering the model year, make, and specific model of the vehicle (see Figure 5). These charts are updated two or three times per year. As with any other type of service repair information, this information can be used during the initial damage analysis process, as well as for determining which repairs to the vehicle are required. The Airbag Replacement Charts can be found at: http://209.103.220.181/ airbag_matrix/fmpro?-db=matrixmd.fp5&-lay=vehicle_charts &-format=index.html&-view Partial Replacement Recommendations The Partial Replacement Recommendations section of the I-CAR web site allows you to access another chart where you are able to determine if there is repair information regarding the repair in question on a specific vehicle. Again, you enter the model year of the vehicle, the make, and the model (see Figure 6). This information is updated at various times throughout the year as new information is released. I-CAR, in cooperation with State Farm and Tech-Cor LLC, created the matrix that identifies vehicle-specific, OEM-approved partial replacement recommendations for the following general areas:
Partial replacement includes a sectioning location or partial replacement at a factory seam. The recommendations are based on information that is available from the vehicle-maker-specific technical information web site. If a partial replacement procedure is available, you will see: Link To Vehicle Maker Technical Information. If there is no procedure or information available, the phrase “No Recommendations” will show up. That way you are made aware of the fact that, to our knowledge, there is no information supplied by the vehicle maker. If there are recommendations, there will be a link to the vehicle maker web site, but not to the procedure. To get to the procedure you will need to access the vehicle maker web site.The Partial Replacement Recommendations matrix was created to provide a central location to identify if a vehicle has a procedure for a structural part that may be partially replaced. The Partial Replacement Matrix can be found at: http://209.103.220.181/vehicle_technical_information/ fmpro?-db=vehicle_section.fp5&-lay=vehicle_specific_sectioning &-format=index.html&-view UPCR Under the UPCR tab is the complete list of Uniform Procedures for Collision Repair that I-CAR developed about ten years ago. The procedures are intended as a reference tool for technicians and appraisers, on-the-job training, or even support documents when explaining repairs to vehicle owners. Although these procedures have not been maintained, UPCR can still serve many of these purposes. The procedures were written generically, and many step-by-step procedures have not significantly changed. The page that comes up when the UPCR tab is selected is the main menu. The procedures are grouped into 38 categories. After the name of the individual procedures under each category may be the letter “A” for aluminum, “S” for steel, or “P” for plastic. If the material is not relevant to the procedure, there is no letter after the number. As an example, selecting procedure “SP71S Rocker Panel” links to the procedural steps for repairing a steel rocker panel. The procedures themselves are laid out in eleven sections. The actual step-by-step procedure is in section 9. Other sections include equipment and material requirements, damage analysis information, other documents related to the repair, inspection requirements, and information on using recycled parts. Conclusion There is a wealth of free technical information and links on the Technical Information page of the I-CAR web site. Use this information to help you perform vehicle repairs properly. While navigating the I-CAR web site, the Technical Information tab is available from any page. If you find yourself going to the I-CAR web site often for reference information and answers, make your life easier by making this link your homepage: http://www.i-car.com/html_pages/technical_information.shtml For comments or suggestions on the Advantage Online, please contact I-CAR Senior Instructional Designer Bob Jansen at bob.jansen@i-car.com. |
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Page Last Revised: Monday, June 9, 2008 |
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