Index of Published Sectioning Procedures

This bulletin is a reference guide of available published sectioning procedures and acceptable areas for cutting locations. The information is listed by vehicle make, model and year to which they apply. The document number and source to purchase the repair information is also provided. The intent is to identify the vehicles and the respective published information that is available, not to provide the specific repair information. Copyright laws prohibit Tech-Cor from distributing other companies' information.

To obtain repair information documents identified in this bulletin, please refer to the "Sources For Body Repair Information" list at the end of this bulletin.

Auto manufacturers have addressed the need to repair collision damaged vehicles by publishing body repair or collision repair manuals. Many manufacturers have also developed repair procedures referred to as structural sectioning, or section repairs. Sectioning is a repair alternative that involves splicing a portion of a new OEM service part, a quality aftermarket part, or a salvage component onto the undamaged portion of a structural component. Typically, this is performed at locations other than at factory seams.

The practice of replacing only the damaged portion of components by sectioning can be a practical, cost-effective repair alternative versus replacement of entire components at factory seams. Sectioning also minimizes the disruption to undamaged areas, leaving adjacent undamaged components intact and the original corrosion protection undisturbed. These repair procedures should only be performed by technicians experienced in structural body repair.

Due to differences in vehicle design and construction, exact section locations and joint design may vary between similar vehicle models and production years. Before performing any sectioning repair procedure, always consult the manufacturer's body repair manual for the specific vehicle model and year being repaired.

The information in this bulletin is a compilation of the most common vehicles which have published sectioning repair procedures or recommended cutting locations available at this time.

Definition of Notes:

N3	Tech-Cor bulletin #1995-1 is for front left rail on models with a V-6 engine, check actual bulletin for other possible applications.
N5	Sectioning procedure for rear outer wheelhouse.

Definition of Notes:

N1	Ford service parts are available for models not specified in Tech-Cor bulleitn #1993-8 and #1995-2.
N2	Part numbers for specific vehicle applications are in the collision estimating guides.
N4	Sectioning procedure for frame rail in rocker area.
N7	Service part has embossed markings to indicate multiple cut location options.

Definition of Notes:

N3	Tech-Cor bulletin #1995-1 is for front left rail on models with a V-6 engine, check actual bulletin for other possible applications.
N5	Sectioning procedure for rear outer wheelhouse.

Definition of Notes:

N3	Tech-Cor bulletin #1995-1 is for front left rail on models with a V-6 engine, check actual bulletin for other possible applications.
N5	Sectioning procedure for rear outer wheelhouse.
N6	Sectioning procedure for rear door ring.

Definition of Symbols:

X	A partial component replacement "sectioning" procedure is published for the vehicle model indicated.
S.P.	A separate factory "Service Part" is available, for replacement by sectioning or at a factory seam.
S1	End portion of front rail, extending to location forward of suspension & strut tower.
S2	Forward portion of front rail, extending into or near the strut tower.
S3	Major portion of front rail, extending into or near the firewall.
S4	Rearward portion of rear rail, extending near the suspension crossmember.
S5	End portion of rear rail, extending to location rearward of suspension crossmember.
U	Approved cut location in upper portion, above belt line.
L	Approved cut location in lower portion, below belt line.
B	Approved cut location in bottom portion extending into the outer rocker.

Definition of Notes:

N1	Audi provides service part for front rail section.
N2	BMW includes both rear rails with trunk floor.
N4	Hood, Quarter Panel, Rear Body Panel.
N5	Quarter Panel, Rear Body Panel.
N6	Quarter Panel.
N7	Inner Rocker, Quarter Panel.

Definition of Notes:

N2	BMW includes both rear rails with trunk floor.
N5	Quarter Panel, Rear Body Panel.
N6	Quarter Panel.
N8	Core Support, Quarter Panel.

Definition of Notes:

N3	Mercedes-Benz information is available on micro fiche only.
N6	Quarter Panel.
N8	Core Support, Quarter Panel.
N9	F. Fender, Quarter Panel, Inner Side Panel (3 Door).
N10	Windshield Frame.

Definition of Notes:

N5	Quarter Panel, Rear Body Panel.
N6	Quarter Panel.
N11	Quarter Panel, Side Panel.
N12	Quarter Panel, Rear Outer Wheelhouse.
N13	1993-98 Corrolla rear rail; service part on station wagon section near tork box area, for sedan forward of rear axle.
N14	Section in tork box area, (forward of rear axle) service part near crossmember.
N15	Rear Body Panel.

Tech-Cor's Sectioning Bulletin List

Number	Sectioning Bulletin Title
1997-2	Ford Windstar front unirail section procedure
1995-5	Chrysler L/H Series front unirail section procedure
1995-2	1992-1995 Ford Econoline front frame horn replacement
1995-1	General Motors N-Body left front lower rail section (1992 model year and later)
1994-2	1990 and later General Motors C/H-Body front lower rail replacement
1993-8	1992-1994 Ford Ranger and Explorer front frame horn replacement
1993-7	Saturn front unirail section procedure
1991-1	Front lower unirail section procedures for General Motors 10-Series vehicles
1990-6	Front lower unirail section procedure for the Ford Taurus / Mercury Sable vehicles
1990-3	Front lower unirail section procedure for the General Motors 200-Series van
1990-2	Rear sectioning procedures for the General Motors 200-Series van
1989-5	Front sectioning procedures for the Nissan Maxima
1989-4	Front sectioning procedures for the Nissan 240 SX
1989-2	Front unirail sectioning procedure for General Motors F-Body vehicles
1988-4	Optional methods for unibody structural repair General Motors A-Body Series
1988-1	Front lower unibody rail section for General Motors C/H-Body vehicles (up to 1989 models only)
1986-1	Unibody full sectioning procedure

Sources For Body Repair Information

Source	Contact Numbers
General Motors: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Oldsmobile, Pontiac Body repair information or manuals available from: General Motors Service Information c/o MSX International (MascoTech) 1426 Pacific Drive Auburn Hills, MI 48326	Phone: (800) 393-4831 Fax: (248) 377-1510
B M W Body repair information or manuals available from: BMW Service Micro-Fiche c/o TMC Publications 5817 Park Heights Avenue Baltimore, Maryland 21215	Phone: (410) 367-4490 Fax: (410) 466-3566
Chrysler, Dodge, Plymouth Body repair information or manuals available from: Chrysler Corporation c/o Dyment Distribution Services Service Publications P.O. Box 360450 Strongsville, OH 44136	Phone: (800) 890-4038 Fax: (216) 572-0815
Ford, Lincoln, Mercury Body repair information or manuals available from: Technical Service Support Operations c/o Ford Technical Service Publications P.O. Box 07150 Detroit, MI 48207	Phone: (800) 782-4356 Fax: (313) 865-5927
Infinity Body repair information or manuals available from: Infinity Service Literature c/o Dyment Distribution Services 20770 Westwood Road Strongsville, OH 44136	Phone: (800) 247-5321 Fax: (216) 572-0815
Lexus Body repair information or manuals available from: Local Lexus dealership
Mercedes Benz Body repair information or manuals available from: (only on micro fiche) Mercedes Body Accident Repairs c/o TMC Publications 5817 Park Heights Avenue Baltimore, Maryland 21215	Phone: (410) 367-4490 Fax: (410) 466-3566
Nissan Body repair information or manuals available from: Nissan Service Literature c/o Dyment Distribution Services 20770 Westwood Road Strongsville, OH 44136	Phone: (800) 247-5321 Fax: (216) 572-0185
Saab Body repair information or manuals available from: Local Saab dealership
Saturn Body repair information or manuals available from: Local Saturn dealership	Phone: (800) 553-6000
Tech-Cor Research Bulletins Body repair information or manuals available from: Tech-Cor Attn: Research Bulletin Request 100 E. Palatine Road Wheeling, IL 60090	Phone: (847) 419-2340 Fax: (847) 215-1441
Toyota Body repair information or manuals available from: Toyota Service Publications 750 West Victoria Street Rancho Dominguez, CA 90220-5538	Phone: (800) 622-2033
Volkswagen / Audi Body repair information or manuals available from: Body Collision Repair Manuals c/o Dymet Distribution Services 20770 Westwood Road Strongsville, OH 44136	Phone: (800) 544-8021 Fax: (216) 572-0815

The information provided in this bulletin is for educational purposes only. Although every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this bulletin, Tech-Cor assumes no responsibility or liability for any repairs performed using information from any publication issued by Tech-Cor.

Any person performing repairs must determine whether any suggested or recommended procedures or repairs are suitable or appropriate for the particular vehicle being repaired. The repairer remains solely responsible for such determination, as well as for the proper completion of the repairs.

Reproduction of this bulletin is not permitted without the written approval of Tech-Cor.