CAUTION: Never apply heat to the bumper energy absorbers. Heat could cause the material inside the absorbers to expand and flow out of the absorbers or crack the metal housing. Always remove the absorbers before performing body frame service near them.

 CAUTION: Never apply excessive heat to bumper surface. Heat could cause the bumper to distort.

 CAUTION: When collecting exhaust fumes in service area, never attach a metal collector to the exhaust tail pipe as the heat could damage the bumper.

Body Alignment, Unitized

NOTE: Heat and the use of heavy-duty jacks must be carefully controlled because of the gauges and types of steel used in a unitized body. It is possible to pull damaged areas back into alignment with the use of lightweight jacks and hydraulic equipment without heating the metal.

Rough out badly damaged areas before taking measurements for squaring up a body. If necessary, remove the glass from the damaged area to prevent breakage. In severe cases, reinforcement brackets and other inner construction may have to be removed or cut to permit restoration of the outer shell and pillars without excessive strain on the parts. Straighten, install and secure all such parts in place before attempting to align the body.

 CAUTION: In cases of severe or sharp bends, it may be necessary to use heat. Any attempt to cold-straighten a severely bent bracket may cause ruptures of the welds and may also cause cracks in the bent part. Never heat the area to more than a dull red.

All welding should be done with a Rotunda MIG Welder 066-01210 or equivalent, with welding wire meeting AWS-E-70 S-6 Specifications.

 CAUTION: Disconnect the negative battery cable before using any electric welding equipment.