Jigging

[Toad]

What do they do to a car when it is put on a jig?
Just curious

[Ivan]

Normally it's used to straighten a chassis that has been bent out of shape for one reason or another.

[Toad]

But how?
come on someone must know

[BrianF]

Your car is placed on a device called a bench.
On your car there are several spesific pulling points, ie, sill, A pillar base, etc etc.
Hydrualic arms out of the bench are attached to chains which are in turn attached to each of the pulling points. The operator keys in the data from the factory (Or else it will be already programmed into the chip) of what all the measurements of the car should be and the jig pulls it to get it right.

Jigs are really starting to take off now, with the increase of Crumple zones on cars.
They really replace a dozer, which only pulls one part of the car, to the operators satisfaction. They have come a long way as if a car goes on to a jig, it usually is pretty OK, but bear in mind that, if a car had to go on a jig, that the likleyhood of it getting a bad smack is pretty high.

[John M]

Am I right in saying that these pulling points are positioned underneath the car? Also, if a car has been "jigged", does this mean that from then on the chassis will be slightly weaker than it was before the smash?

J.

[BrianF]

Most pulling points are under the car (To correct Chassis damage) but there are a few visible - towing hook is one, the door hinge points & 'c' pillar. there are more but I dont know them offhand.

Yes, the chassis would be considerably weakened after a Jig Session, but remember the shell is going to be weakened in the smash anyway, so by jigging it enables the panel beater to re-seam weld it if he sees fit!!