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What is a one-time-use part, and how do you determine if a fastener, clip, or part can be reused? These are questions that we are confronted with in the collision industry quite a lot. The other big question is "Where do I find this information?"
As the Repairability Technical Support (RTS) team researches OEMs for one-time-use fastener/part information, we are putting together a series of articles on how and where to locate this information for specific OEMs. Let’s take a look at Volkswagen.
Volkswagen has a position statement for Fasteners Applicable To All Volkswagen Models. This position statement goes into detail about what parts and fasteners are one-time use.
Some examples from this position statement are:
"Do not re-use any fasteners that are worn or deformed in normal use. Some fasteners are designed to be used only once, and are unreliable and may fail if used a second time. This includes nuts, bolts, washers, circlips and cotter pins."
"Always replace self-locking nuts and bolts, and nuts and bolts that are tightened with an additional tightening angle."
"Always follow the recommendations in the Elsa Web/Erwin repair manuals; replace these fasteners with new parts where indicated, and any other time it is deemed necessary by inspection."
Following OEM procedures, including the identification and use of one-time-use fasteners/parts, is important in order to help ensure a complete, safe, and quality repair.
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