Ford Fusion: Rear End Sheet Metal Repairs / Rear Side Member Reinforcement Panel. Removal and Installation

Special Tool(s) / General Equipment

Materials

Removal

NOTICE: Battery electric vehicle (BEV), hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) contain a high-voltage battery. Before cutting or welding near the high-voltage battery it must be removed to avoid damage.

NOTE: Left hand (LH) side shown, right hand (RH) side similar.

NOTE: Factory welds may be substituted with resistance or metal inert gas (MIG) plug welds. Resistance welds may not be placed directly over original location. They must be placed adjacent to original location and match factory welds in quantity. Metal inert gas (MIG) plug welds must equal factory welds in both location and quantity.

NOTE: Adequately protect all adjacent areas against cutting, grinding and welding procedures.

1. Remove the rocker panel inner reinforcement.
   Refer to: Rocker Panel Inner Reinforcement (501-29 Side Panel Sheet Metal Repairs, Removal and Installation).
   

1. Remove the rear floor panel reinforcement.
   Refer to: Rear Floor Panel Reinforcement (501-30 Rear End Sheet Metal Repairs, Removal and Installation).
   

1. Remove the welds.
   Use the General Equipment: Spot Weld Drill Bit

1. NOTE: The use of heat may be required to soften any adhesive bond.

   Remove the welds and reinforcement.
   Use the General Equipment: Spot Weld Drill Bit
   Use the General Equipment: Hot Air Gun

Installation

NOTICE: Battery electric vehicle (BEV), hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) contain a high-voltage battery. Before cutting or welding near the high-voltage battery it must be removed to avoid damage.

NOTICE: The high-voltage battery in a battery electric vehicle (BEV), hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) or plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) 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 high-voltage battery be removed from the vehicle prior to placing in the paint booth.

NOTICE: If refinishing cure temperatures exceed 60° C (140° F), the charge port light ring on plug-in vehicles must be removed.

NOTE: Left hand (LH) side shown, right hand (RH) side similar.

NOTE: Factory welds may be substituted with resistance or metal inert gas (MIG) plug welds. Resistance welds may not be placed directly over original location. They must be placed adjacent to original location and match factory welds in quantity. Metal inert gas (MIG) plug welds must equal factory welds in both location and quantity.

NOTE: Adequately protect all adjacent areas against cutting, grinding and welding procedures.

1. Apply adhesive.
   Material: Metal Bonding Adhesive / TA-1, TA-1-B, 3M™ 08115, LORD Fusor® 108B

1. Install, properly position, clamp and weld the replacement reinforcement.
   Use the General Equipment: Locking Pliers
   Use the General Equipment: Resistance Spotwelding Equipment

1. Install the welds.
   Use the General Equipment: Resistance Spotwelding Equipment

1. Install the rear floor panel reinforcement.
   Refer to: Rear Floor Panel Reinforcement (501-30 Rear End Sheet Metal Repairs, Removal and Installation).
   

1. Dress all welds as required using typical metal finishing techniques.
   

1. Install the rocker panel inner reinforcement.
   Refer to: Rocker Panel Inner Reinforcement (501-29 Side Panel Sheet Metal Repairs, Removal and Installation).
   

1. Refinish the entire repair using a Ford approved paint system.
   

1. Restore corrosion protection.
   Refer to: Corrosion Prevention (501-25 Body Repairs - General Information, General Procedures).