I-CAR reported that Toyota has issued a revised position on the repair of high-strength steel (HSS) and ultra-high-strength steel (UHSS) occupant cabin reinforcements.
The bulletin from Toyota states:
• Do not straighten HSS or UHSS occupant cabin reinforcements, hot or cold.
• Do not section pillar reinforcements 980 Megapascals (MPa) and 590 MPa.
• Only section 440 MPa parts where specified in the Toyota service information.
Cabin reinforcements include not only pillar, rocker panel and roof rail reinforcements, but roof bows, floor crossmembers, door beams and the rear bulkhead. Any of these parts that are HSS or stronger cannot be repaired, per Toyota’s bulletin.
"This recommendation is based on a reduction in reinforcement strength and crash energy management revealed during research and testing conducted by Toyota Motor Corporation. Repaired and/or improperly sectioned reinforcements failed to exhibit the strength and performance ratings of genuine new original equipment service parts installed to specification. Therefore, damaged occupant cabin reinforcements must be replaced," Toyota’s bulletin states.
I-CAR noted that applications of 440 MPa steel (HSS) include the bottom third of many B-pillars on Toyota, Lexus and Scion vehicles; 590 MPa steel (UHSS) is common in the upper two-thirds of the B-pillar reinforcements and rocker panel reinforcements; and 980 MPa steel (UHSS) is also used on some rocker panel reinforcements.
This month, I-CAR is launching Collision Repair of Toyota, Lexus and Scion Vehicles (TOY01). This course will introduce vehicle-specific procedures exclusive to Toyota, service information, systems found in Toyota vehicles and design considerations.
More information:
Visit www.i-car.com to learn more about classes in your area.
