Ford Ecosport: Front End Sheet Metal Repairs / Removal and Installation - Fender Apron Panel Reinforcement

Special Tool(s) / General Equipment

Removal

NOTE: The fender apron panel reinforcement is made of DP600 class steel and may be sectioned. The following assumes full component replacement.

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

1. Remove the following items:
   1. Remove the hood.
      Refer to: Hood (501-02 Front End Body Panels, Removal and Installation).
      
   2. Remove the headlamp.
      Refer to: Headlamp Assembly (417-01 Exterior Lighting, Removal and Installation).
      
   3. Remove the battery, LH side only.
      Refer to: Battery (414-01 Battery, Mounting and Cables, Removal and Installation).
      
   4. Remove the front bumper.
      Refer to: Front Bumper (501-19 Bumpers, Removal and Installation).
      Refer to: Front Bumper Cover (501-19 Bumpers, Removal and Installation).
      
   5. Remove the fender.
      Refer to: Fender (501-02 Front End Body Panels, Removal and Installation).
      Refer to: Fender Splash Shield (501-02 Front End Body Panels, Removal and Installation).
      
   6. Remove the cowl vent screen and cowl panel.
      Refer to: Cowl Panel Grille (501-02 Front End Body Panels, Removal and Installation).
      Refer to: Cowl Panel (501-02 Front End Body Panels, Removal and Installation).
      
   7. Remove the front sail glass.
      Refer to: Fixed Glass (501-11 Glass, Frames and Mechanisms, General Procedures).
      

1. Restore the vehicle to pre-accident dimensions, if required.
   Refer to: Body and Frame (501-26 Body Repairs - Vehicle Specific Information and Tolerance Checks, Description and Operation).
   

NOTE: LH side shown, RH side similar.

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

1. Remove the welds.
   Use the General Equipment: Spherical Cutter

1. Open the retaining tabs and remove the fender apron reinforcement outer panel.
   

Installation

NOTE: LH side shown, RH side similar.

1. Install, properly position and clamp the panel
   Use the General Equipment: Locking Pliers

1. Drill plug weld holes.
   Use the General Equipment: 8 mm Drill Bit

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

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

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. Install the following items:
   1. Install the front sail glass.
      Refer to: Fixed Glass (501-11 Glass, Frames and Mechanisms, General Procedures).
      
   2. Install the cowl vent screen and cowl panel.
      Refer to: Cowl Panel Grille (501-02 Front End Body Panels, Removal and Installation).
      Refer to: Cowl Panel (501-02 Front End Body Panels, Removal and Installation).
      
   3. Install the battery, LH side only.
      Refer to: Battery (414-01 Battery, Mounting and Cables, Removal and Installation).
      
   4. Install the hood.
      Refer to: Hood (501-02 Front End Body Panels, Removal and Installation).
      
   5. Install the front bumper.
      Refer to: Front Bumper (501-19 Bumpers, Removal and Installation).
      Refer to: Front Bumper Cover (501-19 Bumpers, Removal and Installation).
      
   6. Install the fender.
      Refer to: Fender (501-02 Front End Body Panels, Removal and Installation).
      Refer to: Fender Splash Shield (501-02 Front End Body Panels, Removal and Installation).
      
   7. Install the headlamp.
      Refer to: Headlamp Assembly (417-01 Exterior Lighting, Removal and Installation).
      

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