Safety Precautions And Warnings

NOTE: As of October 2007, the manufacturer has updated their position on the heating of components during repair. Refer to the statement here: Use Of Heat During Repair

FRAME

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS AND WARNINGS

WARNING: Before performing any welding operations disconnect and isolate the battery negative (ground) cable and disconnect all wire harness connectors from the airbag control module (ACM). Failure to take the proper precautions could result in accidental airbag deployment and other possible damage to the supplemental restraint system circuits and components.

- Use eye protection when grinding or welding metal, serious eye injury can result.
- Before proceeding with frame repair involving grinding or welding, verify that vehicle fuel system is not leaking or in contact with repair area, personal injury can result.
- Do not allow open flame or heat and metal spatter from arc welding, to contact plastic body panels. Fire or explosion can result.
- When welded frame components are replaced, ensure complete penetration weld is achieved during installation. If not, dangerous operating conditions can result.
- Stand clear of cables or chains on pulling equipment during frame straightening operations, personal injury can result.
- Do not venture under a hoisted vehicle that is not supported on safety stands, personal injury can result.
- No heat may be used if frame straightening is required. The use of heat is acceptable in those situations where the part being heated will be replaced. Failure to follow these instructions may result in personal injury.

CAUTION: Do not reuse damaged fasteners, quality of repair would be suspect. Failure to use only production fasteners or fasteners of equivalent hardness can result in loosening or failure. Do not drill any holes in the frame that are not specifically outlined in this or other, DaimlerChrysler procedure as frame rail failure can result.

STANDARD PROCEDURE - FRAME SERVICE

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS AND WARNINGS

WARNING: USE EYE PROTECTION WHEN GRINDING OR WELDING METAL, SERIOUS EYE INJURY CAN RESULT. BEFORE PROCEEDING WITH FRAME REPAIR INVOLVING GRINDING OR WELDING, VERIFY THAT VEHICLE FUEL SYSTEM IS NOT LEAKING OR IN CONTACT WITH REPAIR AREA, PERSONAL INJURY CAN RESULT. DO NOT ALLOW OPEN FLAME TO CONTACT PLASTIC BODY PANELS. FIRE OR EXPLOSION CAN RESULT. WHEN WELDED FRAME COMPONENTS ARE REPLACED, 100% PENETRATION WELD MUST BE ACHIEVED DURING INSTALLATION. IF NOT, DANGEROUS OPERATING CONDITIONS CAN RESULT. STAND CLEAR OF CABLES OR CHAINS ON PULLING EQUIPMENT DURING FRAME STRAIGHTENING OPERATIONS, PERSONAL INJURY CAN RESULT. DO NOT VENTURE UNDER A HOISTED VEHICLE THAT IS NOT SUPPORTED ON SAFETY STANDS, PERSONAL INJURY CAN RESULT.

CAUTION: Do not reuse damaged fasteners, quality of repair would be suspect. Do not drill holes in top or bottom frame rail flanges, frame rail failure can result. Do Not use softer than Grade 5 bolts to replace production fasteners, loosening or failure can result. When using heat to straighten frame components do not exceed 566 degrees C (1050 degrees F), metal fatigue can result. Welding the joints around riveted cross members and frame side rails can weaken frame.