General Information - Standard Workshop Practices
Description and Operation
Protecting the Vehicle Published: 04-Jul-2014
Always install covers to protect the fenders before commencing work in the engine compartment. Always install the interior
protection kit, wear clean overalls and wash hands or wear gloves before working inside the vehicle. Avoid spilling hydraulic
fluid, antifreeze or battery acid on the paintwork. In the event of spillage, wash off with water immediately. Use polythene
sheets in the luggage compartment to protect carpets. Always use the recommended service tool, or a satisfactory equivalent,
where specified. Protect temporarily exposed screw threads by replacing nuts or installing caps.
Vehicle in Workshop
When working on a vehicle in the workshop always make sure that:
The parking brake is applied or the wheels are securely chocked to prevent the vehicle moving forwards or backwards
If the engine is to be run, there is adequate ventilation, or an extraction hose to remove exhaust fumes is installed
There is adequate room to jack up the vehicle and remove the wheels, if necessary
Fender covers are always installed if any work is to be carried out in the engine compartment
The battery is disconnected if working on the engine, underneath the vehicle, or if the vehicle is jacked up
CAUTION: When electric arc welding on a vehicle, always disconnect the generator wiring to prevent the possibility of a
surge of current causing damage to the internal components of the generator.
If using welding equipment on the vehicle, ensure a suitable fire extinguisher is readily available.
Screw Threads
Damaged nuts, bolts and screws must always be discarded. Attempting to recut or repair damaged threads with a tap
or die impairs the strength and fit of the threads and is not recommended.
NOTES:
During certain repair operations, it may be necessary to remove traces of thread locking agents using a tap. Where this
is necessary, the instruction to do so will appear in the relevant operation and it is essential that a tap of the correct size and
thread is used.
New Taptite bolts when used cut their own threads on the first application.
Some bolts are coated with a thread locking agent and unless stated otherwise, they must not be reused. New bolts
having the same part number as the original must always be installed. When nuts or bolts are to be discarded, the
repair operation and relevant torque chart will include an instruction to that effect. Do not use proprietary thread
locking agents as they may not meet the specification required. See also Encapsulated ('Patched') Bolts and Screws.
Always make sure that replacement nuts and bolts are at least equal in strength to those that they are replacing.
Castellated nuts must not be loosened to accept a split pin except in recommended cases when this forms part of an
adjustment.
Do not allow oil or grease to enter blind holes, the hydraulic action resulting from tightening the bolt or stud can split
the housing and also give a false torque reading.
Always tighten a nut, bolt or screw to the specified torque figure, damaged or corroded threads can give a false torque
reading.
Nut and bolt loosening and tightening sequences, where given, must ALWAYS be followed. Distortion of components or
faulty sealing of joints will result if the sequences are not followed. Where an instruction is given to tighten in stages,
these stages must be adhered to; do not attempt to combine stages particularly where certain stages involve
tightening by degrees.
To check or re-tighten a fixing to a specified torque, first loosen a quarter of a turn, then retighten to the specified
torque figure.
Unless instructed otherwise, do not lubricate bolt or nut threads prior to installing.
Where it is stated that bolts and screws may be reused, the following procedures must be carried out:
Check that threads are undamaged.
Remove all traces of locking agent from the threads.
CAUTION: DO NOT use a wire brush; take care that threads are not damaged.
Make sure that threads are clean and free from oil or grease.
Apply the specified locking agent to the bolt threads.
Published: 11-May-2011
Climate Control System - General Information - Electronic Leak Detection
General Procedures
1. WARNING: Good ventilation is necessary in the area where A/C leak
testing is to be carried out. If the surrounding air is contaminated with
refrigerant gas, the leak detector will indicate this gas all the time.
Odors from other chemicals such as antifreeze, diesel fuel, disc brake
cleaner, or other cleaning solvents can cause the same problem. A fan,
even in a well ventilated area, is very helpful in removing small traces of
contamination from the air that might affect the leak detector. Failure to
follow this instruction may result in personal injury.
Attach an R-134a manifold gauge set or use a UL-approved
recovery/recycling device such as an R-134a A/C refrigerant center (which
meets SAE Standard J 1991). For additional information, refer to the
manufacturers equipment instructions.
Both gauges should indicate 413-551 kPa (60-80 psi) at 24°C
(75°F) with the engine off.
If little or no pressure is indicated, carry out the air conditioning
(A/C) system recovery, evacuation and charging procedure.
For additional information, refer to Air Conditioning (AC) System Recovery, Evacuation and Charging in this section.
2. Use an R134-a Automatic calibration halogen leak detector to leak test
the refrigerant system. For additional information, refer to the
manufacturers equipment instructions.
3. If a leak is found, carry out the air conditioning (A/C) system recovery
procedure.
For additional information, refer to Air Conditioning (AC) System Recovery, Evacuation and Charging in this section.
