Restoration of body geometry: equipment and stages of work

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:45

The correct geometry of the car body is not only its beautiful appearance, but also driving safety. The causes of body deformation can be very different, for example, an impact in an accident, hitting an obstacle, hitting the wheels in a hole on the road, etc. But even if the vehicle remains on the move, it becomes quite problematic to drive it, and operating costs increase significantly. To return the former functionality of the car, it is necessary to restore the geometry of the body.

Signs of violation of factory geometry

• Vibrations appear, accompanied by atypical extraneous noise.
• The overall controllability of the car decreases: when driving, it “pulls” to the side, making maneuvers difficult.
• The car losesdriving stability, especially at high speeds.
• The suspension, as well as the entire chassis of the car, begin to fail frequently.
• Tires wear quickly and unevenly.
• Fuel consumption increases.
• Unable to properly adjust camber.

The presence of such symptoms indicates that an urgent restoration of the geometry of the car body is necessary.

Diagnostic measures

Diagnosis of the body is a mandatory step. Without comprehensive information about existing defects, it is impossible to carry out high-quality car body repairs. Geometry restoration is performed in a certain sequence using special equipment.

Visual inspection

This procedure begins with an assessment of the condition of the exterior surfaces: front panels, flange connections, welds, joints, etc. Then attention is paid to the space of the passenger compartment, engine and luggage compartments. In the presence of deformations of the windshield and / or rear window, as well as doorways, a violation of the body geometry is diagnosed.

Next, the car is installed on a lift to inspect the bottom, spars and other elements. Deformation folds are often observed on the spars.

Checking wheel alignment

At this stage, the relative position of the wheels is estimated, and the distances between the front and rear wheels on both sides of the car are measured. The presence of asymmetry is cleara sign of a defect in the load-bearing body elements.

Checking checkpoints

This type of diagnostics is performed on a slipway or lift using a computer and appropriate software, as well as using special rulers-gauges. Measurement of body control points is carried out in accordance with the standards established by the manufacturer of a particular brand of car. The data obtained is compared with factory indicators. This diagnostic operation is performed in a certain order, and it starts from the center of the bottom. The location of the control points relative to the center point of the bottom determines the correctness of the overall geometry of the body.

Some points require partial dismantling of certain hardpoints to verify compliance.

When detecting discrepancies between control points and standard indicators, the auto body geometry is restored. If this procedure is not carried out on time, then the deformation processes will progress, adversely affecting all vehicle systems.

Recovery Equipment

The control and restoration of the geometry of the body on the slipway is in progress. This equipment has the necessary strength characteristics to carry out the toughest body work, including the complete restoration of the geometry of off-road vehicles with a frame.

"Hanging" the body is carried out through a complex system of fasteners that allow you to influence certain points on it. Restoration of body geometry is carried out under the control of high-precision measuring systems, which are equipped with a slipway installation.

Technology of restoration of body geometry

The car is firmly fixed on the slipway platform. Special pulling devices (equipment) are attached to certain points, which must be affected, necessary to restore the geometric parameters. After that, the slipway power plant is activated, which pulls the body elements in a given direction.

The amount of effort and the time of impact on the body is calculated by a special computer program. The computer also monitors the process of changing the position of control points during the restoration work.

Restoration of the body geometry is considered completed when the control points reach the coordinates planned by the program. At the last stage, the master makes control measurements and generates a report on all points of the body.

This is important

Restoring the geometry of the body on the slipway has two important advantages. Firstly, the correct geometry is returned to the body. Secondly, in the process of restoration work, the original properties of the metal do not change. Subject to proper maintenance, the "reanimated" body will have high resistance to corrosion processes.

Another important condition for the correctrestoration of body geometry are the professionalism of the masters and the availability of special equipment. It is almost impossible to competently carry out all diagnostic and repair operations on your own or in garage workshops. The right choice of a car service is the key to a complete restoration of the car's functionality.