LAND ROVER DISCOVERY 2002 Workshop Manual

PANEL REPAIRS
77-2-12 REPLACEMENT PANELS
Replacement panels
The previous illustrations show some of the service panels which feature in the Body Repairs procedures. Additional
panels and full body shells are also available. See Parts Fiche for details.

PANEL REPAIRS
PROCEDURES 77-2-13
PROCEDURES
General welding precautions
General
For ease of reference, the diagrams on the following pages show only the type of weld used in repair where it varies
from that used in production.
The replacement welds in the welding diagrams are denoted by the following symbols:
a = Single/Multiple thickness plug welds
b = MIG seam weld
When NOT carrying out welding operations the following criteria must be observed:
lWhere resistance spot welds have been used in production, these must be reproduced with new spot welds in
replacement where possible. All such reproduction spot welds must be spaced 30 mm (1.181 in) apart;
lWhen spot welding, it is recommended that test coupons of the same metal gauges and materials are produced
to carry out peel tests to ensure that welding equipment being used can produce a satisfactory joint. Plug welds
must be used if a satisfactory spot weld cannot be produced;
lThe electrode arms on hand-held spot welding guns must not exceed 300 mm (11.811 in) in length;
lSingle-side spot welding is not acceptable;
lBrazing and gas welding are not acceptable EXCEPT where they have been specified in production;
lWhere 3 metal thicknesses or more are to be welded together it is imperative to use MIG plug welds to ensure
joint strength;
lMIG plug welds must be used in repair joints where there is no access for a resistance spot welder. To replace
each production spot weld a hole must be drilled and/or punched, and a MIG plug weld then made in its place.
The number of plug welds must match exactly the number of spot welds which have been removed;
lWhere holes are left in an existing panel after removal of the spot welds, a single MIG plug weld will be made in
each hole as appropriate.
Seat belt anchorages
Seat belt anchorages are safety critical. When making repairs in these areas, it is essential to follow design
specifications. Note that High Strength Low Alloy (HSLA) steel may be used for seat belt anchorages.
Where possible, the original production assembly should be used, complete with its seat belt anchorages, or the cut
line should be so arranged that the original seat belt anchorage is not disturbed.
All welds within 250 mm (9.842 in) of seat belt anchorages must be carefully checked for weld quality, including
spacing of spot welds.

PANEL REPAIRS
77-2-14 PROCEDURES
Electronic control units
The electronic control units (ECU) fitted to vehicles make it advisable to follow suitable precautions prior to carrying
out welding repair operations. Harsh conditions of heat and vibration may be generated during these operations which
could cause damage to the units.
In particular, it is essential to follow the appropriate precautions when disconnecting or removing the airbag DCU.
Supplementary Restraint System Precautions
Any work undertaken which involves the removal or replacement of any item of the Supplementary Restraint System
(SRS), requires extreme caution and the appropriate precautions must be followed.

+ GENERAL INFORMATION, Supplementary Restraint System Precautions.
Equipment
Prior to commencing any test procedure on the vehicle, ensure that the relevant test equipment is working correctly
and any harness or connectors are in good condition. This particularly applies to electronic control units.

PANEL REPAIRS
PROCEDURES 77-2-15
PROCEDURES
Panel replacement procedure
This procedure is designed to explain the basic panel
removal and replacement method. The main criterion
in removal and replacement of body panels is that
the original standard is maintained as far as possible.
While individual repairs will differ in detail, this
procedure has been devised placing emphasis on
ease of repair and the elimination of unnecessary
work.
Body panels are being increasingly manufactured in
high strength steels to meet design requirements for
safety and weight saving. As panels in high strength
steels cannot be visually identified, and as they are
more sensitive to excess heat than panels
manufactured from low carbon steel, it is advisable
that the following procedure be observed at all times.
Remove panel
1.Expose resistance spot welds. For those spot
welds which are not obviously visible, use a
rotary impregnated wire brush fitted to an air
drill, or alternatively a hand held wire brush.
NOTE: In wheel arch areas it may be necessary
to soften underbody coating, using a hot air
gun, prior to exposing spot welds.2.Cut out welds using a cobalt drill.
3.Alternatively, use a clamp-type spot weld
remover.

PANEL REPAIRS
77-2-16 PROCEDURES
4.Cut away the bulk of the panel as necessary
using an air saw.
NOTE: On certain panel joints MIG welds and
braze should be removed using a sander where
possible, before cutting out the panel bulk.
5.Separate spot welded joints and remove panel
remnants using hammer, bolster chisel and
pincers.
Prepare old surfaces
1.Remove any remaining sealant using a hot air
gun to minimise the risk of toxic fumes caused
by heat generated during welding.
CAUTION: Care must be taken to avoid
excessive heat build-up when using the hot
air gun.2.Clean all panel joint edges to a bright smooth
finish, using a belt-type sander.
NOTE: As an alternative, a disc sander may be
used.
3.Straighten existing panel joint edges using a
shaping block and hammer.

PANEL REPAIRS
PROCEDURES 77-2-17
Prepare new surfaces
1.Mark out bulk of new panel and trim to size,
leaving approximately 50 mm (1.968 in) overlap
with existing panel. Offer up new panel/section,
align with associated panels (e.g. new body
side panel aligned with door and taildoor).
Clamp into position.
2.Cut new and existing panels as necessary to
form butt, joggle or brace joint as required.
Remove all clamps and metal remnants.3.Prepare new panel joint edges for welding by
sanding to a bright finish. This must include
inner as well as outer faces.
4.Apply suitable weld-through primer, to panel
joint surfaces to be welded, using brush or
aerosol can.

PANEL REPAIRS
77-2-18 PROCEDURES
5.Apply correct sealant or adhesive, as
applicable, to panel joint surfaces.

+ CORROSION PREVENTION AND
SEALING, SEALING, Body Sealing.
Offer up and align
1.Offer up new panel and align with associated
panels. Clamp into position using welding
clamps or Mole grips. Where a joggle or brace
joint is being adopted, make a set in the original
panel joint edge or insert a brace behind the
joint.
NOTE: In cases where access for welding
clamps is difficult, it may be necessary to use
tack welds.Welding
1.Select arms for resistance spot welding and
shape electrode tips using a tip trimmer.
CAUTION: Use arms not exceeding 300 mm
(11.81 in) in length.
NOTE: To maintain weld efficiency, the tips will
require regular cleaning and dressing.
2.Fit resistance spot welding arms and test
equipment for satisfactory operation, using test
coupons. Where monitoring equipment is not
available, verify weld strength by checking that
metal around the weld puddle pulls apart under
tension during pulling.

PANEL REPAIRS
PROCEDURES 77-2-19
3.Use a resistance spot welder where access
permits. Try to ensure weld quality by using a
welding monitor where possible.
4.MIG tack weld butt joints and re-check
alignment and panel contours where
necessary. Ensure that a gap is maintained to
minimise welding distortion, by inserting a
hacksaw blade as an approximate guide.5.Dress MIG tack welds using a sander with 36
grit disc, or a belt-type sander where access is
limited.
6.MIG seam weld butt joints.

PANEL REPAIRS
77-2-20 PROCEDURES
7.Always use MIG plug welds where excessive
metal thickness or limited access make
resistance spot welding impractical. Make plug
welds either by using holes left by the spot weld
cutter, or through holes punched and drilled for
the purpose.
8.Dress all welds using either a sander with 36
grit disc, or a belt-type sander and/or
impregnated wire brush.
NOTE: Brazing operations, if required, must be
carried out at this point.

PANEL REPAIRS
REPAIRS 77-2-21
REPAIRS
Front bulkhead assembly
Remove
1.Disconnect both battery leads, negative lead
first.
2.Disconnect leads/multiplug from alternator.
3.Remove front wing.

+ EXTERIOR FITTINGS, REPAIRS,
Wing - front - up to 03MY.
4.Remove washer reservoir.

+ WIPERS AND WASHERS, REPAIRS,
Reservoir - washer - up to 03MY.
5. Models with A/C: Remove condensor.

+ AIR CONDITIONING, REPAIRS,
Condenser.
6. Diesel models: Remove gearbox fluid cooler.
7.Remove RH and LH headlamps.

+ LIGHTING, REPAIRS, Headlamp - up
to 03MY.
8.Release headlamp levelling motors and
position aside.
9.Release headlamp wiring and position aside.
10.Remove battery.

+ CHARGING AND STARTING,
REPAIRS, Battery.
11.Remove battery tray.
12.Remove air filter assembly.

+ ENGINE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM -
Td5, REPAIRS, Air filter assembly.

+ ENGINE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM -
V8, REPAIRS, Air cleaner assembly.
13.Remove 2 earth leads from LH of front
bulkhead.
14.Remove RH horn.

+ ALARM SYSTEM AND HORN,
REPAIR, Vehicle horn.
15. Models with A/C: Release and remove A/C
pipes.
16.Remove RH and LH crush cans.
17.Remove bonnet release cable.
18.Support bonnet in open position
19.Remove bonnet locking mechanism.
20.Remove VIN plate.
21.Remove 2 bolts securing front bulkhead
assembly to chassis.
22.Remove centre braces.Repair
1.Remove existing panel(s), prepare panel joint
faces and install new panel(s) in accordance
with Panel Replacement Procedure. Punch or
drill holes in new panel for plug welding as
shown.
Refit
1.Fit centre braces.
2.Fit 2 bolts securing bulkhead to chassis and
tighten to 45 Nm (33 lbf.ft).
3.Fit VIN plate.
4.Fit bonnet locking mechanism.
5.Fit bonnet release cable.
6.Fit crush cans.
7. Models with A/C: Fit A/C pipes.
8.Fit RH horn.

+ ALARM SYSTEM AND HORN,
REPAIR, Vehicle horn.
9.Fit 2 earth leads to LH of front bulkhead.
10.Fit air filter assembly.

+ ENGINE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM -
Td5, REPAIRS, Air filter assembly.

+ ENGINE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM -
V8, REPAIRS, Air cleaner assembly.
11.Fit battery tray.
12.Fit battery. Do not connect leads.

+ CHARGING AND STARTING,
REPAIRS, Battery.
13.Fit headlamp wiring and headlamp levelling
motors.
14.Fit RH and LH headlamps.

+ LIGHTING, REPAIRS, Headlamp - up
to 03MY.
15. Diesel models: Fit gearbox fluid cooler.
16. Models with A/C: Fit condensor.

+ AIR CONDITIONING, REPAIRS,
Condenser.
17.Fit washer reservoir.

+ WIPERS AND WASHERS, REPAIRS,
Reservoir - washer - up to 03MY.