Preparing for Installation

To prepare the vehicle and the new component for installation, the following tasks might be necessary (the specific repair document will indicate which tasks are to be performed):

  • Positioning the new component.
  • Preparing for fastener installation.
  • Preparing a Butt Joint.
  • Preparing surfaces for welding.
  • Preparing mating surfaces for adhesives.

Once the vehicle and the new component are properly prepared, install the new component.

Positioning the New Component

  1. Once all prerequisites specified in the Repair Information section of the procedure have been completed, position the new component on the vehicle.
  2. Align all bolt hole locations and temporarily install bolts.
  3. If necessary, trim butt joint locations to achieve a good fit for welding.
  4. Clamp all mating surfaces.
  5. Install adjacent panels to check overall fitment (gap and flushness) of the new component.
  6. Reposition the new component as necessary to achieve best fit with adjacent panels.

Preparing for Fastener Installation

  1. Make sure the new component is properly positioned and secured on the vehicle.
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    Note
    Use the following best practices when performing preparation steps for fastener installation:
    • Use a temporary fastener such as a grip screw or Cleco fastener to keep drilled holes aligned when drilling multiple holes in a component.
    • Use a deburring tool to deburr the holes after they have been drilled or punched.
    • When drilling holes for countersunk rivets, drill holes at least 18 mm from corners or obstructions to provide enough clearance for the Microstop countersink cage assembly.
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      Note
      Si todavía no se ha establecido el ajuste de profundidad del conjunto de la jaula de avellanado Microstop, efectúe el procedimiento de Kit de avellanado Microstop para ajustar la herramienta.
  2. Mark all locations where fasteners will be installed on the new component and/or the vehicle as indicated in the repair procedure.
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    Note
    The repair procedure may show the placement of individual fasteners or of "fastener paths." A fastener path is a line/sequence of the same type of fastener, and is shown using a different symbol than the individual fastener of the same type. A fastener path shows the fastener type at the beginning and the end of the path, joined by a line which indicates the installation path for the fasteners. The fasteners installed in the path should match the number and location of the fasteners removed when removing the damaged panel. Refer to "Fijaciones y herramientas para fijaciones aprobadas para reparaciones estructurales" to see the symbols used for individual fasteners and for fastener paths.
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    Note
    When the same joint or component is repaired in more than one Body Repair procedure, the fasteners specified to secure the joint or component may be different in each procedure. The difference is only to simplify the fasteners used in each procedure, and all specified fasteners are approved by Tesla for use in that location. Use any of the specified fasteners from any Body Repair procedure for that component or location.
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    Note
    When installing fasteners to replace factory rivets, match the number and location of the new fasteners to the number and location of the removed rivets, unless explicitly directed differently in the repair procedure.
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    Note
    When installing spot welds to replace factory spot welds, match the number and location of the new spot welds to the number and location of removed spot welds, unless explicitly directed differently in the repair procedure.
  3. Drill or punch holes for fasteners as specified in the repair procedure, or as specified below.
    Fastener Type Hole Size Notes
    4.8 mm Blind Rivet 4.9 mm  
    6.5 mm Blind Rivet 6.7 mm  
    4.8 mm Countersunk Rivet 4.9 mm Use a drill with the Microstop countersink cage assembly and a 4.9 mm countersink bit to drill countersink holes. Note that the countersink angle is 100 degrees.
    6.5 mm Countersunk Rivet 6.7 mm Use a drill with the Microstop countersink cage assembly and a 6.7 mm countersink bit to drill countersink holes. Note that the countersink angle is 100 degrees.
    Flow Form Rivet 8 mm Use a riveter designed for punching holes for rivets or drill holes with an 8 mm bit.
    Aluminum Plug Weld 9 mm Only for panels up to 1.6 mm. thick, or as directed in the repair procedure.
    Steel Plug Weld 6 mm Only for panels up to 1 mm. thick, or as directed in the repair procedure.
    Bolt Varies Drill the smallest hole that allows the installation of the bolt specified in the procedure repair instructions.
    5/16 in. HUCK BOM 9 mm  
    1/4 in. Pin and Collar 6.7 mm  
    5/16 in. Pin and Collar 8 mm  
    Rivnut M5 (KNURL,M5,0.50-2.54,STL,ZNNI-PLTSL) 7.75 mm Tesla part number 1026912-00-A
    Rivnut M5 (KNURL,M5,0.50-3.30 GRP L,STL,ZNC) 7.75 mm Tesla part number 1004296-00-A
    Rivnut M6 (THN,M6X1.0X2.0-5.0,G10,G0109) 10 mm Tesla part number 1038174-00-A
    Rivnut M8 (M8X1.25 RIVNUT [MAGNI 560]) 13.5 mm Tesla part number 1015948-00-A
    Rivnut M8 (NUT,RVT,RND,THN,M8-1.25X16[ST]-O-05) 11 mm Tesla part number 1014282-00-A
    Rivnut M8 (RIVNUT,FH,M8,3.5-5.5,[10],ZN) 13 mm Tesla part number 1469780-00-B

    For more information about fasteners, refer to "Fijaciones y herramientas para fijaciones aprobadas para reparaciones estructurales."

Preparing a Butt Joint

  1. Cut the new component slightly larger than specified in the repair procedure.
  2. Make sure the new component has been properly positioned and trimmed if necessary (see Positioning the New Component for more information).
  3. Remove the new component or components from the vehicle.
  4. Use a disc or belt sander with a surface conditioning abrasive product to remove the coatings on the inner and outer surfaces of the butt joint on the vehicle and the new component.
    Warning IconA warning icon, calling your attention to a possibly risky situation
    Warning
    Retire el adhesivo epóxico en una zona bien ventilada. Utilice equipo de protección individual adecuado.
    Warning IconA warning icon, calling your attention to a possibly risky situation
    Warning
    En los componentes de aluminio, utilice solo discos y bandas de lija de grano 80 o más fino. El uso de discos o bandas de lija de grano más grueso que 80 puede provocar fracturas en el aluminio.
  5. If the internal body cavity in the butt joint area has been coated with cavity wax, remove the coating using isopropyl alcohol (IPA).
  6. If specified in the procedure, create a reinforcement plate to cover the exterior side of the butt joint:
    1. Identify a section from the old component or a remnant of the new component that closely matches the profile of the butt joint location on the vehicle.
    2. Cut a section of the length specified in procedure (or 40 mm if no length is specified) from the old component or the remnant of the new component.
    3. Trim and rework the reinforcement plate as necessary to snugly fit over the butt joint and closely fit adjoining panels.
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      Note
      Make sure the reinforcement plate allows access for trim, if necessary.
    4. Remove the new component and the reinforcement plate to prepare for installation.
  7. If specified in the procedure, create a backing plate to install behind the butt joint:
    1. Identify a section from the old component or a remnant of the new component that closely matches the profile of the butt joint location on the vehicle.
    2. Cut a section of the length specified in procedure (or 40 mm if no length is specified) from the old component or the remnant of the new component.
    3. Trim and rework backing plate as necessary to fill the gap behind the butt joint and closely fit adjoining panels.
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      Note
      Make sure the backing plate allows access for trim, if necessary.
    4. Remove the new component and the backing plate to prepare for installation.
  8. Position the reinforcement or backing plate on the vehicle and install it as specified in the procedure.
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    Note
    Reinforcement and backing plates that are not installed by GMA welding are installed with structural adhesive and fasteners specified in the procedure.
    For backing plates: If the procedure does not specify a fastening method for the backing plate, install it using plug welds on both sides of the butt joint:
    1. Drill a plug weld installation hole every 25 mm along the length of the section location on the vehicle. If the repair procedure specifies:
      • Aluminum plug welds, drill 9 mm plug weld installation holes.
      • Steel plug welds, drill 6 mm plug weld installation holes.
    2. For steel components only: Apply weld-through primer to both sides of the backing plate and allow sufficient time for the primer to cure.
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      Note
      Follow surface preparation instructions for the specific product being used to ensure proper coating adhesion and performance.
    3. For steel components only: Use a disc or belt sander with a surface conditioning abrasive product to remove the weld-through primer on the outboard surfaces of the backing plate only in the weld locations.
    4. Install the backing plate using plug welds on both sides of the butt joint.
      Warning IconA warning icon, calling your attention to a possibly risky situation
      CAUTION
      No suelde en un vehículo Tesla antes de realizar el procedimiento de aislamiento eléctrico del vehículo (consulte el Manual de servicio específico del vehículo para obtener más información sobre el procedimiento de aislamiento eléctrico del vehículo). Soldar en un vehículo Tesla con un sistema de alta o baja tensión energizado podría dañar los componentes del vehículo.
      Warning IconA warning icon, calling your attention to a possibly risky situation
      Warning
      Si no se respetan todas las precauciones de seguridad durante la soldadura, incluyendo el uso de equipo de protección individual, podrían provocarse lesiones graves o daños en la propiedad. Solo los técnicos que han completado satisfactoriamente el curso de formación para soldadura de Tesla están autorizados para soldar componentes estructurales en vehículos Tesla.

Preparing Surfaces for GMA Welding

  1. Identify all weld locations on the vehicle and the new component.
  2. Remove the new component or components from the vehicle.
  3. Use a disc or belt sander with a surface conditioning abrasive product to remove all coatings on the top and bottom sides of the panels in the immediate vicinity of any weld location.
    Warning IconA warning icon, calling your attention to a possibly risky situation
    Warning
    Para evitar el riesgo de corrosión galvánica, no retire la capa de recubrimiento electroforético en ningún lugar en el que el acero y el aluminio estén en contacto.
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    Warning
    Después de fijar el componente, no debe haber adhesivo estructural a menos de 25 mm de ninguna ubicación de soldadura GMA (el adhesivo estructural dentro de la ubicación de soldadura GMA puede provocar un fallo de la soldadura).
    Warning IconA warning icon, calling your attention to a possibly risky situation
    Warning
    When the panel is to be secured using GMA welding (plug welds), do not apply a bead of structural adhesive on top of the structural adhesive primer layer.
  4. For plug welds on steel components only: Apply weld-through primer.
    1. Follow surface preparation instructions for the specific product being used to ensure proper coating adhesion and performance.
    2. Apply weld-through primer to the exposed metal surfaces between the panels in the plug weld area where adhesive cannot be applied and allow sufficient time for the primer to cure.
    3. Use a disc or belt sander with a surface conditioning abrasive product to remove the weld-through primer at the plug weld locations.

Preparing Mating Surfaces for Adhesives and Resistance (Spot) Welding

  1. Identify all weld locations on the vehicle and the new component.
  2. Remove the new component or components from the vehicle.
  3. Use a disc or belt sander with a surface conditioning abrasive product to remove all coatings on the top and bottom sides of the panels in the immediate vicinity of any weld location.
    Warning IconA warning icon, calling your attention to a possibly risky situation
    Warning
    Para evitar el riesgo de corrosión galvánica, no retire la capa de recubrimiento electroforético en ningún lugar en el que el acero y el aluminio estén en contacto.
    Warning IconA warning icon, calling your attention to a possibly risky situation
    CAUTION
    Use only insulated clamps within 200 mm (8 in) of resistance spot weld locations. Do not perform resistance spot welding when there is a shunting (uninsulated) clamp within 200 mm (8 in) of the spot weld location.
  4. Clean all the mating surfaces and weld areas on the new component or components and on the vehicle with isopropyl alcohol (IPA).
    Warning IconA warning icon, calling your attention to a possibly risky situation
    Warning
    Limpie los restos de alcohol isopropílico con un paño limpio y seco inmediatamente después de la aplicación. No deje que el alcohol isopropílico restante se seque al aire. Dejar que el alcohol isopropílico se seque al aire puede comprometer la junta adhesiva.

Preparing Mating Surfaces for Adhesives (Non–Welded Components)

  1. Identify all mating surfaces on the vehicle and the new component, take special note where different metals are being bonded together.
  2. Remove the new component or components from the vehicle.
  3. Remove any contaminants from the mating surfaces on the new component by cleaning them with isopropyl alcohol (IPA) prior to preparing the surface.
  4. Utilice un estropajo Scotch-Brite rojo o equivalente para raspar el revestimiento epóxico de las superficies de contacto del componente nuevo y el vehículo.
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    Note
    No es necesario eliminar completamente el revestimiento epóxico; tan solo tiene que raspar la superficie del revestimiento epóxico en las zonas de contacto para que el adhesivo estructural se fije al componente.
  5. Clean all the mating surfaces and weld areas on the new component or components and on the vehicle with isopropyl alcohol (IPA).
    Warning IconA warning icon, calling your attention to a possibly risky situation
    Warning
    Limpie los restos de alcohol isopropílico con un paño limpio y seco inmediatamente después de la aplicación. No deje que el alcohol isopropílico restante se seque al aire. Dejar que el alcohol isopropílico se seque al aire puede comprometer la junta adhesiva.