Vehicle Configurations: Vehicle inspection procedures II ~ Automotive As well Hottest Cars

Vehicle inspection procedures:
   Checking door hinges
   Checking a seat belt
   Checking interior trim
   Checking driver's seat fabric

Checking door hinges

Part 1. Preparation and safety
Objective

Lubricate door hinges and locks and adjust jams.

Personal safety
Whenever you perform a task in the workshop you must use personal protective clothing and equipment that is appropriate for the task and which conforms to your local safety regulations and policies. Among other items, this may include:

Work clothing - such as coveralls and steel-capped footwear

Eye protection - such as safety glasses and face masks

Ear protection - such as earmuffs and earplugs

Hand protection – such as rubber gloves and barrier cream

Respiratory equipment – such as face masks and valved respirators

If you are not certain what is appropriate or required, ask your supervisor.
Safety check

Make sure that you understand and observe all legislative and personal safety procedures when carrying out the following tasks. If you are unsure of what these are, ask your supervisor.

Points to note

Different manufacturers use different forms of latches and locking mechanisms.

Always make sure that you have the correct service manual for the job you are working on.

On vehicles with heavy doors, such as some older vehicles and convertibles, the door latch contains a locating wedge or pin. This locates the door when closed, and takes some of the strain off the hinges.

Part 2: Step-by-step instruction
Check door for hinge wear
Open the door to approximately 45 degrees to the car body. Wear gloves when performing this test, in case there are any sharp edges underneath the door. Put your hand under the base of the door, and lift it gently against the hinges to see if there is excess wear in the pins. Some limited amount of wear is always present, and you will usually be able to move the door up and down a little at its outer edge. An excessive amount of movement means the door is worn and has “dropped’. Report this to your supervisor, as the hinges or door jams may need to be adjusted.

Check door closure
Gently push the door closed. If the door shuts smoothly with a distinct “click”, then the door is catching the locking or latch mechanism as it is designed to do. Push the door in further, and you should hear a second “click”. This indicates that the door is adjusted correctly.

Lubricate hinges
Fully open each door. Using a manufacturer-approved lubricant, apply it to the tops of each hinge. Generally, lower hinges have a door check roller, cam and spring incorporated into the assembly. You should also lubricate the roller part of the assembly. Now swing the door gently back and forth to allow the lubricant to penetrate into the hinges. Wipe any excess lubricant from the external parts of the hinges.

Lubricate lock and latch mechanism
Using a manufacturer’s approved lubricant, apply it to each locking or latch mechanism. Generally the locking and latch mechanism is in the door itself, so the lock needs to be worked to allow the lubricant to penetrate into the mechanism. Operate the latch by opening and closing the door, and from both the outside and the inside of the vehicle. Wipe any excess lubricant from the external parts of the locking mechanism.

Checking a seat belt

Part 1. Preparation and safety
Objective

Check the condition and security of automotive seatbelts.

Personal safety
Whenever you perform a task in the workshop you must use personal protective clothing and equipment that is appropriate for the task and which conforms to your local safety regulations and policies. Among other items, this may include:

Work clothing - such as coveralls and steel-capped footwear

Eye protection - such as safety glasses and face masks

Ear protection - such as earmuffs and earplugs

Hand protection – such as rubber gloves and barrier cream

Respiratory equipment – such as face masks and valved respirators

If you are not certain what is appropriate or required, ask your supervisor.
Safety check

Make sure that you understand and observe all legislative and personal safety procedures when carrying out the following tasks. If you are unsure of what these are, ask your supervisor.

Points to note

Many vehicles have additional motorized mechanisms to help the seat belts operate. Always ensure that manufacturer's instructions are followed when lubricating and servicing these types of units.

Any seatbelt that has been involved in a severe impact may have been weakened and should be replaced.

Part 2: Step-by-step instruction
Check anchor points of seatbelt
There are three anchor points on “lap and sash” type seatbelts and two on “lap only” type seatbelts. First, check the side anchor bolt that holds the buckle end in place. Make sure it is sound and secure. Next, check the security of the bolt on the retractor housing. This is usually located near the bottom of the door panel next to the seat. Above the retractor is the upper anchor bolt. These bolts are sometimes adjustable in a slider unit. Check that this is also secure.

Inspect seatbelt for fraying or wearing
Examine the seatbelt material to see if there is any fraying or excessive wear. Check the seatbelt label for an expiry date. If the belt is past it’s use-by date, then report this to your supervisor, as the belt should be replaced.

Check seatbelt retraction
Pull the seatbelt out slowly to check for smooth action. There should not be any sticking, which might indicate a faulty retractor. Do this three times to make sure that it is consistently smooth in operation.

Check seatbelt locking
Pull the seatbelt out quickly to see that it locks and releases. The belt should lock when pulled suddenly, which is vital during emergency braking or collisions.

Check retractor operation
If the belt does not retract smoothly, remove the retractor housing and test it again. If the belt now retracts smoothly, then the retractor housing may need to be replaced. When the retractor is tilted beyond 45 degrees, the belt should remain locked. If the belt fails to function correctly, report it to your supervisor.

Checking interior trim

Part 1. Preparation and safety
Objective

Remove and replace interior trim components.

Personal safety
Whenever you perform a task in the workshop you must use personal protective clothing and equipment that is appropriate for the task and which conforms to your local safety regulations and policies. Among other items, this may include:

Work clothing - such as coveralls and steel-capped footwear

Eye protection - such as safety glasses and face masks

Ear protection - such as earmuffs and earplugs

Hand protection – such as rubber gloves and barrier cream

Respiratory equipment – such as face masks and valved respirators

If you are not certain what is appropriate or required, ask your supervisor.
Safety check

Make sure that you understand and observe all legislative and personal safety procedures when carrying out the following tasks. If you are unsure of what these are, ask your supervisor.

Points to note

Different vehicles have different methods of trim fixture, although they all follow similar methods of removal. The vehicle manufacturer's manual will provide tips on the methods of removal.

Many cars have electric window winder mechanisms with activation switches on the trim panels. Always make sure that you use the recommended procedure, so that you do not trap wires between the door inner panel and the trim panel. This could cause an electrical short and damage the vehicle.

Part 2: Step-by-step instruction
Check fixing method
There are a number of different ways trim panels can be fixed in place, so refer to the shop manual for details of the panel fixing methods used in your vehicle.

Remove fittings
Remove any external fixtures on the panel, such as armrests or window winders, and place them in a safe clean place. These components may be held in place by screws or clips. Try not to damage them during removal.

Obtain replacement clips
Many panels are held in place with clips in what look like keyholes. These clips are normally made out of plastic and they can easily be broken during removal, so always make sure you have some replacement clips for the re-assembly process. It is better to sacrifice a few replaceable clips than to risk damaging the panel itself.

Remove panel
Most manufacturers have a special tool for removing the panel clips. Gently slide the tool under the panel and work your way along it until you locate a clip. Remove the tool and then replace it over the clip. Press down and the clip should pop out of its location. Repeat the process around the panel until it is completely unfastened. Lower the window, place your hands on the side of the panel, and wiggle it upwards. This should lift the panel from it’s seating, allowing you to remove it.

Replace panel
To replace the panel, make sure that all the panel clips are in place. Now lift the panel back in, and hook it over the inner door panel. Line up the clips with their location points and firmly push them into place. You will here a distinctive “click” as they lock in.

Replace fittings
Replace the armrests and any other components, such as window winder mechanisms. Clean off any finger marks with an approved solvent and a cloth that will not damage the panel material.

Checking driver's seat fabric

Part 1. Preparation and safety
Objective

Check the driver's seat for security and condition.

Personal safety
Whenever you perform a task in the workshop you must use personal protective clothing and equipment that is appropriate for the task and which conforms to your local safety regulations and policies. Among other items, this may include:

Work clothing - such as coveralls and steel-capped footwear

Eye protection - such as safety glasses and face masks

Ear protection - such as earmuffs and earplugs

Hand protection – such as rubber gloves and barrier cream

Respiratory equipment – such as face masks and valved respirators

If you are not certain what is appropriate or required, ask your supervisor.
Safety check

If you use glue to make small fabric or vinyl repairs, do this in a well-ventilated area.

Make sure that you understand and observe all legislative and personal safety procedures when carrying out the following tasks. If you are unsure of what these are, ask your supervisor.

Points to note

If the existing seat cover is damaged, it is sometimes possible to make small repairs with some fabric or vinyl glue, depending on the original material. This will stop the nicks or small tears from getting any worse. If you do this, follow the instructions on how to apply the glue.

If the seat fabric is badly ripped, or you can see the springs or seat frame, you should take the seat to a specialized upholstery repair shop. In some places, it is a legal requirement that the seat be in a "secure condition", even if it has a fitted seat cover placed over the damage. Poor seat condition can be the subject of a safety defect, making the vehicle unroadworthy. You should check your local laws.

If the driver's seat is damaged but still safe and structurally sound, it may be possible to swap it with the front passenger seat, if that one is in better condition. The passenger's comfort is less of a potential driving hazard.

Part 2: Step-by-step instruction
Inspect visually
If a removable seat cover has been fitted, remove it so that you can see the original fabric. Inspect the seat for overall condition. The important thing to note is if the springs or frame inside the seat are visible through the fabric. If there are nicks or small tears, then note them down so that they can be reported to the customer.

Check the seat security
Now, look at the seat runners and their fixtures. Check to see that they are mounted according to the manufacturer’s recommendations, and that the mounting points are free from corrosion or rust.

Check the seat operation
Check that the seat adjustment features operate correctly, as shown in the driver’s operation manual. If any of them fails to function properly, make a note on your work order and report the fault to your supervisor.