Ford Ecosport: Side Panel Sheet Metal Repairs / Removal and Installation - A-Pillar Outer Panel Section and Reinforcement

Special Tool(s) / General Equipment

Removal

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

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

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

1. Depower the SRS .
   Refer to: Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) Depowering (501-20B Supplemental Restraint System, General Procedures).
   

1. If required:
   Dimensionally restore the vehicle to pre-damaged condition.
   Refer to: Body and Frame (501-26 Body Repairs - Vehicle Specific Information and Tolerance Checks, Description and Operation).
   

1. Remove the side panel.
   Refer to: Side Panel (501-29 Side Panel Sheet Metal Repairs, Removal and Installation).
   

1. Remove the cowl panel.
   Refer to: Cowl Panel (501-27 Front End Sheet Metal Repairs, Removal and Installation).
   

1. Remove the B-pillar.
   Refer to: B-Pillar and Reinforcement (501-29 Side Panel Sheet Metal Repairs, Removal and Installation).
   

1. Position the carpeting and the wiring harness away from the working area.
   

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

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

1. Remove the A-pillar reinforcement.
   

Installation

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

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

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

1. Drill 8 mm holes as indicated.
   Use the General Equipment: 8 mm Drill Bit

1. Installl, properly position and clamp the A-pillar reinforcement.
   Use the General Equipment: Locking Pliers

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

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

1. Install the welds.
   Use the General Equipment: MIG/MAG Welding Equipment

1. Metal finish all welds as necessary using typical metal finishing techniques.
   

1. All seams must be sealed to production level.
   

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).
   

1. Reposition the carpeting and the wiring harness to original location.
   

1. Install the B-pillar.
   Refer to: B-Pillar and Reinforcement (501-29 Side Panel Sheet Metal Repairs, Removal and Installation).
   

1. Install the side panrl.
   Refer to: Side Panel (501-29 Side Panel Sheet Metal Repairs, Removal and Installation).
   

1. Install the cowl panrl.
   Refer to: Cowl Panel (501-27 Front End Sheet Metal Repairs, Removal and Installation).
   

1. Repower the SRS .
   Refer to: Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) Repowering (501-20B Supplemental Restraint System, General Procedures).