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So you've got a Chrysler sitting in your repair facility and a service part, but no installation procedure. What do you do? On any other steel vehicle, you would duplicate the original attachment method and plug welds are ok, but not a Chrysler.
A while ago (August 14, 2013 to be exact) FCA/Stellantis released the collision bulletin, Welded Sheet Metal Repairs and Replacements, that changed the way that their vehicles should be repaired. In this bulletin it states that: "weld bonding of replacement panels is the recommended installation method to utilize when repairing Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, Jeep, or Ram vehicles."
In addition: "Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW or MIG) Should Only Be Used In The Following Special Circumstances:
- Proper weld access cannot be attained utilizing STRSW equipment with any of the available accessory arms.
- Utilize 6-8 mm ring fillet welds for exterior panels and 8-10 mm for all others.
- Adhesives need to be kept 25 mm from a ring fillet weld due to their flammability.
- A Chrysler publication explicitly calls out fusion welding as the proper repair method.
- The original attachment was GMAW."
This bulletin is also available at: stellantisiop.com
Additional I-CAR Collision Repair News you may find helpful:
- Collision Information Website Access: FCA/Stellantis
- FCA/Stellantis: Welded Sheet Metal Repairs and Replacements
- Step-By-Step: Accessing FCA/Stellantis Repair Information
- Welding And MIG Brazing Hotspot
