ASE B3 Non-Structural Analysis & Damage Repair key terms

A systematic inspection that identifies every damaged area and the forces that caused the damage, so the repair plan addresses hidden as well as visible harm.

The route impact force travels through a vehicle's structure, showing where deformation is likely to appear beyond the point of contact.

Connecting a scan tool to the vehicle to read stored trouble codes and confirm which electronic systems were affected by the collision or repair.

A scan performed before any body work begins to document existing faults and identify systems that must be handled during the repair.

A scan run after repairs and refinishing are complete to confirm that all systems function correctly and no new codes were set.

The even spacing and level surface relationship between adjacent body panels, used as the standard for judging alignment quality.

Loosening, shifting, or tightening a panel's mounting points so its gaps, flushness, and operation meet factory specifications.

Placing thin spacers behind a hinge or mounting point to raise or shift a panel and correct gap or flush problems.

Repositioning a door or hood hinge at its body or panel attachment points to change panel height, fore-aft position, or closing effort.

The process of rebuilding a damaged or worn assembly, such as a door hinge or latch, by cleaning, inspecting, and replacing its internal parts.

A two-part polyester paste applied over straightened metal to smooth minor low spots before priming and painting.

Reshaping damaged sheet metal with hammers, dollies, and picks until the surface is smooth enough to need little or no filler.

A paired hand tool technique in which a dolly is held behind the panel while a hammer strikes the outer surface to stretch or planish metal.

Reducing stretched, oil-canned sheet metal back to its original contour using heat or a shrinking hammer and dolly.

Replacing only the damaged portion of a panel by cutting at a factory-approved joint and joining the new piece to the original.

A weld made through a hole in one panel to fuse it to the panel beneath, commonly used to attach replacement panels at factory weld locations.

A joining method that passes current through overlapping panels clamped between electrodes, recreating the factory spot welds used on body panels.

Coatings such as zinc-rich primer, seam sealer, and cavity wax applied to repaired areas to prevent rust from forming after panel replacement.

A plastic that softens when heated and hardens when cooled, allowing damaged bumper covers and trim to be reshaped or welded.

A plastic that cures permanently and will not soften with heat, so it cannot be welded and must be repaired with adhesives or replaced.

Joining cracked thermoplastic parts by melting the edges together with a hot-air welder and a compatible filler rod.

Bonding broken or cracked plastic and composite parts with a two-part structural adhesive, often reinforced with backing mesh.

A flexible plastic fascia that absorbs minor impacts and can often be repaired rather than replaced when damaged.

A coating applied to molds or mating surfaces so cured adhesive or plastic will not stick where it is not wanted.

A strong, flexible two-part adhesive used to bond replacement glass to the vehicle body and to attach some plastic and composite panels.

Gluing replacement glass into its opening with urethane adhesive so the glass contributes to structural strength and airbag support.

The minimum curing period after glass installation before the vehicle may be driven, set by the adhesive manufacturer to ensure the bond holds.

The mechanism, powered by a motor or hand crank, that raises and lowers a moveable door glass along its tracks.

The flexible channel that guides and cushions the edge of moveable glass as it travels up and down in the door.

Aligning the glass guide tracks so the window moves smoothly, seals evenly, and does not bind or rattle.

The small retainers that hold trim, moldings, and emblems to the body and are usually replaced when removed.

Detaching exterior moldings and accessories with the correct tools so clips, paint, and mounting holes are not damaged.

Double-faced adhesive foam tape used to attach emblems and moldings, requiring a clean surface and proper primer for a lasting bond.

The airbags, seat belt pretensioners, and control module that work together to protect occupants in a collision.

A coiled ribbon connector inside the steering column that keeps the driver airbag and horn electrically connected while the wheel turns.

A pyrotechnic device that pulls the seat belt tight at impact to remove slack and hold the occupant in position.

The rapid inflation of an airbag module during a collision, after which the module and related parts must be replaced.