Hyundai Elantra HD: Body Repair Manual - part 1

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GENERAL INFORMATION

GENERAL GUIDE LINES AND PRECAUTIONS

The Hyundai ELANTRA is a completely new vehicle design. During its development, close attention has been given to
safety, stability, weight and corrosion protection. Typical of unit body design, the Hyundai ELANTRA is designed so that the
front and rear compartments will absorb much of the collision energy so that the passengers are better protected. During
collisions, these front and rear energy absorbing systems may be severely damaged. During repair, these damaged areas
must be returned to their original strength and geometry. If this is not properly done, the vehicle will not provide the intended
level of protection to its occupants in the event of another collision.

The repairs described in this manual were performed on ELANTRA body shells. In some instances special fixtures were
welded in place to support the structure. During the repair of an actual vehicle, the interior would be fully disassembled and
standard jack screws or portable braces may be used for temporary support.

During the repair of an accident involved vehicle, the vehicle must first be returned to pre-impact dimensions prior to
beginning the sectioning repair procedures. The extent of damage that must be repaired should then be evaluated to determine
the appropriate repair procedures. This manual provides locations and procedures where structural sectioning may be
employed. It is the responsibility of the repair technician, based upon the extent of damage, to determine which location and
procedure is suitable for the particular damaged vehicle.

During the repair of a collision damaged automobile, it is impossible to fully duplicate the methods used in the factory during
the vehicle manufacture. Therefore, auto body repair techniques have been developed to provide a repair that has
strength properties equivalent to those of the original design and manufacture.

Certain guidelines and precaution are noted as follow.

BHDGI6010

GENERAL INFORMATION

GI-3

SRS AIR-BAG

SYSTEM COMPONENT

The Hyundai ELANTRA is equipped with a Supplemental Restraint System AIR-BAG to provide the vehicle's driver and/or
the front passenger with additional protection than that offered by the seat-belt system alone, in case of a frontal impact of
sufficient severity.

When handling airbag components (removal, installation or inspection, etc.), always follow the directions given in the repair
manual for the relevant model to prevent the occurrence of accidents and airbag malfunction.

Also take the following precautions when repairing the body:

1.

Work must be started after approximately 30 seconds or longer from the time the ignition switch is turned to the LOCK
position and the negative (-) terminal cable is disconnected from the battery. (The airbag system is equipped with a
back-up power source so that if work is started within 30 seconds of disconnecting the negative (-) terminal cable of the
battery, the airbag may be deployed.)
When the negative(-) terminal cable is disconnected from the battery, memory of the clock and audio systems will be
cancelled. So before starting work, make a record of the contents memorized by the audio memory system. Then when
work is finished, reset the audio system as before and adjust the clock.

2.

When using electric welding, first disconnect the air-bag connectors under the steering column near the MULTI-FUNCTION
SWITCH and the passenger's side crash pad before starting work.

3.

Store the air-bag modules where the ambient temperature remains below 93   C(200   F), without high humidity and away
from electrical noise.

4.

WARNING/CAUTION labels are attached to the periphery of the air-bag components.
Refer to the ELANTRA  SHOP MANUAL

ERKB012A

Front impact sensor

Clock spring

PAB

BPT

Buckle pretentioner

Side impact sensor

When it is deployed

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GENERAL INFORMATION

ELECTRONIC PARTS

Vehicles today include a great many electronic parts and components, and these are in general very susceptible to adverse
effects caused by overcurrent, reverse current, electromagnetic waves, high temperature, high humidity impacts, etc.
In particular such electronic components can be damaged if there is a large current flow during welding from the body  side.
Therefore, take the following precautions during body repair to prevent damage to the CONTROL MODULES (ECM, TCM,
ABS CM, SRS CM, etc.)

1.

Before removing and inspecting the electrical parts or before starting electric welding operations, disconnect the negative
(-) terminal cable from the battery.

2.

Do not expose the CONTROL MODULES to ambient temperatures above 80  C(176  F).

NOTE

If it is possible the ambient temperatures may reach 80  C(176  F) or more, remove the CONTROL MODULES from the
vehicle before starting work.

3.

Be careful not to drop the CONTROL MODULES and not to apply physical shocks to them.

CORROSION PROTECTION AND SEALING

Proper corrosion protection and sealing is an important part of any repair. When reviewing these repair procedures, it is
important to recognize the need for corrosion restoration to provide for long term strength of the repaired member.

A two part epoxy primer was applied to the metal surfaces during the latter part of the repair. For closed sections, such as
front and rear rails, rocker panels and pillars, the primer is applied without applying the metal conditioner and the conversion
coating. These steps are omitted to insure that no rinse water is trapped in the closed sections. The primer application in
followed by an application of an oil or wax based rust proofing material.

After the corrosion restoration process for the closed sections are completed, then the process can be applied to all exterior
sections. For exterior surfaces, both metal conditioner and conversion coating treatments are applied to the exterior surface
prior to application of the epoxy primer. The procedure in applying the corrosion restoration process is important order to
insure that moisture, due to the water rinsing of the metal conditioner and conversion coating is not inadvertently trapped
inside any closed section before the epoxy primer and rust proofing materials have been applied.

Appropriate seam sealers are then applied to all joints. Follow manufacturer's recommendations for the appropriate type of
seam sealer to be used at each seam or joint.

SIDE BODY PANELS

The side body panel for ELANTRA is designed and stamped from a single piece of sheet metal in factory as shown in the
figure. While the entire side panel is available for service, the partial panels sectioned by several damaged areas are also
available. Therefore when repairing side body, refer to "Replacement parts section" of this manual to select and use the
appropriate part.

BHDGI6001

: Service part line

GENERAL INFORMATION

GI-5

WELDING

All repairs in this manual require the use of a Metal-Inert Gas (MIG) welder, Gas (oxyacetylene) welding must not be used.
Both high strength steel and mild steel can be welded using the MIG welder. The I-CAR recommendations for welding should
be followed. The shielding gas should be 75% Argon and 25% CO

2

.

The recommended welding wire size is 0.23" and the wire should satisfy the American Welding Society standard code
AWSER70S-6.

During the repair process, plug welds are used to duplicate original factory spot welds. All plug welds should be done with the
MIG welder. An 8 mm (5/16") hole is placed in the top (welding side) sheetmetal.

You then begin welding along the edges and the spiral towards the center (see illustration). This is important so that weld
penetration between the two metal pieces takes place along the circumference of the circle.

SAFETY FACTORS

Disconnect the negative(-) battery cable before performing any work on the vehicle.
Protect yourself by wearing goggles, earplugs, respirators, gloves, safety shoes, caps, etc. when working on a vehicle.
Safely support the vehicle before any work is done. Block the front or rear wheels if the vehicle is not lifted off of the ground.
Cap or remove the fuel tank when working on the rear section of the car.
Insure proper ventilation of your working area. Some paint and sealant can generate toxic gases when heated. Use an air
chisel or saw to remove damaged panels instead of a gas torch.
Observe all local and national safety regulations when performing any work.
Cover interior with heat-resistant cover to insure safety when welding.
Take care when using gas or cutting torches so as not to burn body sealer or interior. Extinguish immediately if they should
catch fire.

CON-0040

Weld around
edges first
working in to
wards the
center
(Top view)

PLUG WELDING

8mm or 5/16" dia. hole

Illustration-Welding in collision repair