Notes On Body Repairs To The Front End - Ah62.00-S-0001-01KOA

Model 415, 420, 447, 448, 636, 639 

The deformation zone in front of the wheel well allows the longitudinal members on the front end to absorb the impact energy up to a certain accident severity. The area of the wheel well damaged in this way must be pulled out on the straightening bench using suitable straightening equipment.

It is then possible to replace parts of the damaged front wheel well area and the longitudinal member.

This, however, only makes sense when the wheel well section remaining in the vehicle is still in a technically good condition.

Repair work in the front-end area (depending on the severity of the damage) is only permitted on:

• Vehicles which can be loaded and towed
• Vehicles mounted on a straightening bench

The inert gas welds and plug welding on cross members and longitudinal members are not to be cleaned.

This is done on the basis of durability and cost reduction reasons.

In the case of repair work in the front-end area, it must be ensured that longitudinal members and crossmembers are in the correct position from a constructive viewpoint. Suitable supports and the straightening tools of a straightening bench must be used even in the case of minor deformation, e.g. damage or twisting.

This procedure is the only way of ensuring that all dimensions of the wheel arch panel, radiator support and headlamp reinforcements are within the permissible tolerance range.

In the event of more severe accidents part of impact energy can penetrate further into the body changing the position of the wheel well and other axle-supporting points further to the rear. In such cases we recommend replacing the front end and the complete wheel well.

Only complete front longitudinal members may be procured as repair parts from the responsible department at Daimler AG. With partial repairs, the affected section must first be cut from the complete longitudinal member and prepared for installation.