Radiator Support: Service and Repair

Inner Body Reinforcing Panels












Front Structure - Exploded View

NOTE: Left side shown, right side similar







WARNING:
- Never install used or reconditioned parts (as specified below) from pre-owned, salvaged or damaged vehicles. The use of such parts could lead to serious injury.
- Never use non-Ford parts or accessories for completing repairs.
- Ford Motor Company does not approve or recognize body and structural repair procedures, tools, parts or anything but new genuine Ford equipment. Ford cannot attest to the safety, quality, durability or legality of non-Ford parts or accessories. Use of such parts could lead to serious personal injury as they may contain damage which is not visible.
Ford does not approve use of the following:

- Salvaged or used parts
- Major body clips or assemblies from salvage vehicles
- Aftermarket structural or body components
- Salvaged or reconditioned wheels
- Used supplemental restraint system (SRS) components
- air bags
- restraint system modules
- safety belts, buckles or retractors
- crash sensors

- Returning a vehicle to pre-accident condition can only be assured if repair procedures are carried out by skilled technicians using new genuine Ford parts and Ford-approved methods. Structural component repair procedures approved by Ford, using genuine Ford parts, have been validated by Ford Motor Company engineers.
- Ford Motor Company does not endorse, cannot attest to, and makes no representations regarding structural repairs (frames, rails, aprons and body panels) carried out using non-genuine Ford Motor Company parts or non-Ford-approved methods. In particular, Ford makes no representations that the vehicle will meet any crash safety or anti-corrosion performance requirement. Such parts and methods have not been tested by Ford, and may not meet Ford's requirements for safety, performance, strength, quality, durability and corrosion protection. Ford Motor Company bears no responsibility or liability of any kind if repairs are performed using alternative structural component repair procedures and/or parts.
- Invisible ultraviolet and infrared rays emitted in welding can injure unprotected eyes and skin. Always use protection such as a welder's helmet with dark-colored filter lenses of the correct density. Electric welding will produce intense radiation, therefore, filter plate lenses of the deepest shade providing adequate visibility are recommended. It is strongly recommended that persons working in the weld area wear flash safety goggles. Also wear protective clothing. Failure to follow these instructions may result in serious personal injury.
- Always wear protective equipment including eye protection with side shields, and a dust mask when sanding or grinding. Failure to follow these instructions may result in serious personal injury.
- On vehicles equipped with Safety Canopy(R) options, prior to carrying out any sectioning repairs near the roof line or sail panel areas of the vehicle, remove the Safety Canopy(R) module and related components. Failure to comply may result in accidental deployment or damage to the Safety Canopy(R). Failure to follow these instructions may result in serious injury to technician or vehicle occupant(s).
- Do not cut or grind body side components within 50 mm (1.96 in) of restraint anchoring points. Welding within 50 mm (1.96 in) of restraint anchoring points may result in incorrect operation of restraint devices. For additional restraints anchoring location information, refer to Restraint Systems. Failure to follow these instructions may result in serious injury to vehicle occupant(s).
- Do not carry out body side sectioning repairs in areas of laser welds. Factory laser welds cannot be duplicated with conventional welding equipment and structural integrity may be compromised. Failure to follow this instruction may result in serious injury to vehicle occupant(s).
- Do not carry out body side sectioning repairs in areas of door hinge or striker anchoring points. Welding within 50 mm (1.96 in) of door hinge or striker locations may compromise structural integrity during a collision. Failure to follow these instructions may result in serious injury to vehicle occupant(s).

NOTE: Factory spot welds may be substituted with either Squeeze-Type Resistance Spot Welding (STRW) or Metal Inert Gas (MIG) plug welds. Spot/plug welds should equal factory welds in both location and quantity. Do not place a new spot weld directly over an original weld location. Plug weld hole should equal 8 mm (0.31 in) diameter.

1. NOTICE:
- Hybrid vehicles contain a High Voltage Traction Battery (HVTB). Before welding near the HVTB, the HVTB must be removed to avoid heat damage.
- Electronic modules and related wiring may be damaged when exposed to heat from welding procedures. Carefully disconnect and remove, or position away from heat-affected areas. For additional information, refer to Welding Precautions - Steel.

Detrim the vehicle and remove the outer body sheet metal from the affected area, prior to performing any reinforcing panel replacement. For additional information, refer to Sectioning Guidelines.

2. Where possible, create a backer piece using a portion of the old panel. This will create a stronger joint.
3. When welding overlapping surfaces or substrates, apply a weld-through primer between the surfaces prior to welding.
- Make sure horizontal joints and flanges are correctly sealed with seam sealer to prevent moisture intrusion. Water and moisture migrate to horizontal joints and corrosion tends to occur more rapidly in these areas. Metal surfaces must be clean and dry before applying seam sealer.

4. NOTICE: The High Voltage Traction Battery (HVTB) in a Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) can be affected and damaged by excessively high temperatures. The temperature in some body shop paint booths can exceed 60°C (140°F). Therefore, during refinishing operations, the paint booth temperature must set at or below 60°C (140°F) with a bake time of 45 minutes or less. Temperatures in excess of 60°C (140°F) or bake durations longer than 45 minutes will require the HVTB be removed from the vehicle prior to placing in the paint booth.

Refinish the repair area as required, per Ford-approved paint guidelines, apply corrosion protection to the repair area as required.