Range Rover : Body Repairs

The Range Rover body consists of a steel frame to which alloy outer panels are attached. The cowl panel, front fenders, side door outer panels, body side outer panels and roof are made from a special light magnesium-aluminium alloy. The manufacture of body panels from aluminium has two distinct advantages, the first of which is a much better resistance to corrosion, the second being a decrease in the gross vehicle weight. Aluminium panels can be effectively repaired using the `Argon Arc ' process of welding, because the afore mentioned is a specialist operation it is necessary that only a skilled operator or specialist body shop undertake such repairs. .: Under certain conditions it may' not be practical to repair an exterior damaged panel, if this is the case, then panels can be easily removed and replaced with new ones (refer to the appropriate part of the Body section for panel removal and refit). Panel beating 1. Aluminium alloy panels can be beaten out after accidental damage in the same way as sheet steel. However, under protracted hammering the material will harden, and then it must be annealed to prevent the possibility of cracking. This is quite easily done by the followed by slow application of heat, air-cooling, but as the melting point is low, heat must be applied slowly and carefully.