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Did you know that many OEMs specify nugget size for spot and plug welds? This information is typically found within vehicle-specific repair procedures or can be found under general welding guidelines. Let’s see what Rivian has to say.
Rivian provides general information pertaining to welding within their Collision Repair - Vehicle General Repair Guidelines document. This document is typically found linked within vehicle-specific collision repair procedures. Otherwise, it is found in vehicle-specific service manual under: Introduction ➤ Collison Repair - General Information.
Rivian states in this document:
- "DO NOT: Grind or sand weld nuggets flush unless noted in the repair procedure."
- "All welding will require weld machine set up and destructive testing. Refer to: Welding Inspection & Testing."
- "Use only approved GMA welding wire for repairs. This list of approved welding wire can be found in the Tools & Equipment Guidelines."
Spot Welding
Per the Collision Repair - Vehicle General Repair Guidelines:
- "Match the original quantity and location(s) of factory spot-welds unless explicitly stated otherwise in the repair procedure."
- "Resistance spot welds should be placed adjacent to their original location(s) unless welding through multi-layer bonded joints."
- "If welding through multi-layer bonded joints, place the spot weld through the existing spot weld location."
- "All resistance welding must be performed before the structural adhesive cures."
- "Use only spot-welder caps that produce weld nuggets matching the original size."
Plug Welding
Per the Collision Repair - Vehicle General Repair Guidelines:
- "When determining plug weld hole size, refer to the vehicle specific repair procedures."
- "GMA plug weld locations identified via fastener path(s) in repair procedures should replace the factory fastener locations that were separated during removal 1:1 along the path."
- "Adhesive should be kept 25mm away from any MIG/MAG welds."
Where the spot weld and plug weld nugget size was not identified, refer to the Steel Spot And Plug Weld Nugget Size: UPDATE article. This article provides general guidelines.
For additional Rivian information, check out the Rivian OEM Information page.
Additional I-CAR Collision Repair News you may find helpful:
- Back-To-Basics: Destructive Weld Testing
- Dressing Steel GMA Welds: UPDATE
- Steel Spot And Plug Weld Nugget Size: UPDATE
- Step-By-Step: Accessing Rivian Repair Information
- Welding And MIG Brazing Hotspot
