Aluminum Repairs
Aluminum Repairs
Aluminum technology is fundamentally different from lightweight steel construction with regard to design, manufacture and repairs. The following criteria must be considered when carrying out repairs:
The essential requirement placed on the development of the Porsche Panamera body structure was a reduction in body weight that took passive safety, cost-efficiency and quality into account, in order to improve driving performance while also lowering fuel consumption.
The lightweight materials used to fulfill this requirement, in combination with new joining techniques, demand a new set of conditions for performing body repairs, with the result that the previously tried-and-tested repair methods and tools can no longer be used to the same extent in order to carry out the required work.
To safeguard repair quality, repair work on the new Porsche Panamera body structure requires the application of new tools and methods (e.g. bonding, riveting).
Standard Equipment
Standard workshop equipment can be used to carry out the following repairs:
- Simple metal working tasks (removal of dents and bulges)
- Simple replacement of outer skin parts (rear closing panel)
- Assembly work
- Repairs to safety-relevant parts in accordance with the workshop data "No welded joints or replacement procedures for structural parts"
Specialized/Equipment
Full workshop equipment can be used to carry out the following additional repairs:
- Approved factory repair procedures: Punch riveting and welding.
NOTE: Bodyshell repairs can only be carried out by properly equipped workshops with specially trained personnel.
The Porsche Panamera has a front end section made from various aluminum materials, which are joined using mainly punch rivets and adhesive. For repair of these parts, punch rivets are replaced by high-strength blind rivets and repair adhesive specified by the workshop data. To enable sectional repairs to be made to the front longitudinal member, a special repair part is available with an additional connecting piece, since this repair must be conducted without any welding work.
New joining techniques and new repair methods:
- High-strength blind rivets with repair adhesives as a replacement for punch rivet connections
- Complete replacement of damaged aluminum structural components - they cannot be straightened
- Aluminum work bay and aluminum tool set required
NOTE:
When performing aluminum repairs please note that aluminum can only be straightened to a certain extent, with the result that damaged structural components generally have to be completely replaced.
- The tools and equipment used for repair of steel vehicles must never be used for aluminum repairs. A totally separate, dedicated repair area and tool set must be reserved for aluminum use only. When steel particles come into contact with aluminum, corrosion can occur.
Longitudinal Member Replacement Part
Sectional repair of longitudinal member with replacement part supplied by the parts department. Individual pieces are assemble and sold as a complete component.
