B. Soldering Steel Components

1. General information 

• The following procedures are used for repairs:
  • Autogenous brazing solder
  • Tinning
• The MIG soldering procedure is not used in repairs for strength reasons. MIG soldered/brazed seams used in standard production are replaced during repairs by MAG weld seams. 
• Areas brazed in vehicle production are joined during repairs with the same procedure.
• It is possible when straightening steel components to correct irregularities smaller than 2 mm with filler.

  If in exceptional cases the irregularities are in excess of 2 mm, these areas must be tinned.

  Only visible areas of the outer skin and on the carrier support must be tinned.

  All areas which have covers on the vehicle are not to be tinned.

  NOTE: Only applicable within the European Union!

  European used-vehicle regulations prohibit the use of tin containing lead in motor vehicles introduced after 01.07.2003!

2. Work materials 

• Brazing solder:
  • Tube pack and torch (autogenous torch)
  • Brazing solder
  • Gas bottles (oxygen and acetylene)
  • Welding goggles
• Tinning:
  • Tube pack and torch (torch for tinning)
  • Tinning paste
  • Tin (refer to "ELECTRONIC PARTS CATALOGUE ").
  • Gas bottle (acetylene)
  • Safety goggles

3. Preparations for brazing solder and tinning 

• Heat brazed connections to be opened with gas flame. Lift off sheet metal remnants and remove remaining brazing solder with wire brush.
• Remove the paint and zinc layer in an area of approx. 30 mm around the seam to be soldered.
• Remove the paint and zinc layer in the tin-plating area and approx. 30 mm beyond.

4. Brazing solder/tinning 

• Execute brazed seam without overheating the solder and with low heat dissipation. If necessary, use heat protecting paste.

5. Subsequent treatment of brazed connections 

• Remove burnt residual zinc completely. Straighten, grind and tin visible connection faces.
• Remove burnt paint with a stainless steel wire brush.