Peugeot 308: Identification : UHSS - VHSS - HSS components

1. Information

The automobile market is demanding vehicles that are safer, better equipped and more caring of the environment. To limit an increase in weight, automobile design has recourse to new steels.

These steels allow a reduction in the panel thicknesses employed, yet an amelioration of the resistance to vehicle collisions.

The vehicle structure is made up of reinforced zones and programmed deformation zones that reduce the risks of injuries to vehicle occupants.

To ensure that the programmed deformation zones work correctly, the vehicles are manufactured using a variety of steels, offering different mechanical resistances.

These steels are classified into 4 distinct categories of "strength" :

• Mild steel
• Panels in high strength steel (HSS)
• Panels in very high strength steel (VHSS)
• Panels in ultra high strength steel (UHSS)

Class	Mild steel	Panels in high strength steel (HSS)	Panels in very high strength steel (VHSS)	Panels in ultra high strength steel (UHSS)
(MPa)	≤ 210	210 - 350	350 - 550	≥ 550

MPa (Mega Pascal) : Mechanical resistance of a material, in Newtons per sq. millimetre (N /mm2).

The steels are usually differentiated into Soft steels, and then High Strength Steels (HSS), Very High Strength Steels (VHSS), and Ultra High Strength Steels (UHSS).

2. Soft Steels and High Strength Steels (HSS)

2.1. Straightening - Ramming

High Strength Steels (HSS) can be worked practically like soft steels.

ESSENTIAL : Hot straightening is prohibited; it creates local weakening of structural components, which can lead to overall weakening of the shell that is protecting the vehicle occupants.

2.2. Dent removal - Smoothing out

It is essential to reproduce the exact shape, especially the angles and edges on the structural components, such as sills, chassis legs and crossmembers (any mark, even a crease, will be an area of weakness).

2.3. Assembly

Soft steels and High Strength Steels (HSS) do not pose any particular problems in terms of assembly by welding, resistance welding or electric arc welding (Gas Inert Metal, Gas Active Metal).

It is nevertheless vital to comply with the cutting and assembling solutions laid down by the manufacturer and described in the vehicle repair methods.

ESSENTIAL : Assembly using torch welding or brazing is not approved whatever the nature of the steels involved.

3. Very High Strength Steels (VHSS) or Ultra High Strength Steels (UHSS)

3.1. Straightening - Ramming

Very High Strength Steels (VHSS) or Ultra High Strength Steels (UHSS) are more difficult for straightening and ramming.

ESSENTIAL : Hot straightening is prohibited; it creates local weakening of structural components, which can lead to overall weakening of the shell that is protecting the vehicle occupants.

3.2. Dent removal - Smoothing out

Complete replacement of the component is systematically advised when it is damaged.

3.3. Assembly

Very High Strength Steels (VHSS) and Ultra High Strength Steels (UHSS) can be manipulated only by following the procedures prescribed by the manufacturer.

ESSENTIAL : Spot welds produced by gas welding are prohibited, whatever the nature of the steels.

3.4. Precautions to be taken

ESSENTIAL : If you cannot fulfil these requirements, change the component.

4. Location - Identification : Panels in ultra high strength steel (UHSS)

N.B. : This information is given as a general guide, because the nature or classification of the steels may change during the lifespan of the vehicle.

4.1. Location : Panels in ultra high strength steel (UHSS)

Panels in ultra high strength steel (UHSS).

4.2. Identification : Panels in ultra high strength steel (UHSS)

Identification	Description	Thickness	Left-hand side	Right-hand side
(1)	Windscreen aperture pillar strengthener	1,10 mm	X	X
(2)	Windscreen pillar inner panel	1,30 mm	X	X
(3)	Centre pillar upper strengthener (upper part)	1,70 mm	X	X
(4)	B post stiffener	2,00 mm	X	X
(5)	Roof bow strengthener	1,10 mm	X	X
(6)	Rear upper side member	1,35 mm	X	X
(7)	Side member rear strengthener	1,45 mm	X	X
(8)	Rear interior sill	1,35 mm	X	X
(9)	Sill strengthener	0,95 mm	X	X
(10)	Inner sill	1,25 mm	X	X
(11)	Bulkhead side crossmember	1,75 mm	-	-
(12)	Front interior sill	1,35 mm	X	X
(13)	Front pillar strengthener	1,25 mm	X	X
(14)	Front wheel arch front strengthener	1,45 mm	X	X
(15)	Interior chassis member	1,75 mm	X	X
(16)	Rear chassis leg strengthener	1,25 mm	X	X
(17)	Front seat front cross member	1,05 mm	X	X
(18)	Front seat rear crossmember	1,75 mm	X	X
(19)	Tunnel centre strengthener	2,00 mm	-	-
(20)	Heel floor inner panel	1,90 mm	-	-
(21)	Front upper side member	1,45 mm	X	X
(22)	Front lower side member	2,50 mm	X	X
(23)	Heel plate strut stiffener	1,30 mm	-	-
(24)	Tunnel front strengthener	2,00 mm	-	-
(25)	Tunnel rear stiffener	2,00 mm	-	-
(26)	Sill web	0,95 mm	X	X
(27)	Tunnel strengthener	1,35 mm	-	-
(28)	Front pillar lower stiffener	1,75 mm	X	X
(29)	Outer chassis leg	1,75 mm	X	X

5. Location - Identification : Panels in very high strength steel (VHSS)

5.1. Location : Panels in very high strength steel (VHSS)

Very high strength steel panels (VHSS) (THLE).

5.2. Identification : Panels in very high strength steel (VHSS)

Identification	Description	Thickness	Left-hand side	Right-hand side
(30)	Bulkhead stiffener	2,50 mm	-	-
(31)	Front subframe front fixing support	3,00 mm	X	X
(32)	Bulkhead crossmember	1,75 mm	-	-
(33)	Scuttle closing panel central stiffener	1,05 mm	-	-
(34)	Fastener of the roof front crossmember	0,65 mm	-	-
(35)	Roof front crossmember bracket	1,45 mm	X	X
(36)	Front wing inner panel	0,95 mm	X	X
(37)	Door stop yoke stiffener	0,75 mm	X	X
(38)	Front wheel arch	1,10 mm	X	X
(39)	Gearbox front mounting	3,00 mm	-	-
(40)	Front subframe rear fixing mounting	2,50 mm	X	X
(41)	Chassis member bracket	1,95 mm	X	X
(42)	Front bumper absorber support	3,00 mm	X	X
(43)	Chassis leg front partition (Left-hand side )	1,35 mm	-	-
(44)	Chassis leg front partition (Right-hand side )	1,35 mm	-	-
(45)	Front chassis leg	1,75 mm	X	X
(46)	Front subframe front fixing strengthener	1,45 mm	X	X
(47)	Gearbox rear mounting	3,00 mm	-	-
(48)	Front wheel arch closing panel	1,25 mm	X	X
(49)	Front suspension support	2,80 mm	X	X
(50)	Bonnet joint support	0,95 mm	X	X

Identification	Description	Thickness	Left-hand side	Right-hand side
(51)	Tunnel	1,35 mm	-	-
(52)	Tunnel closing panel	1,15 mm	-	-
(53)	Heel plate	0,65 mm	X	X
(54)	Heel plate crossmember	0,85 mm	-	-
(55)	Central roof bow	1,10 mm	-	-
(56)	Roof arch inner panel	1,15 mm	X	X
(57)	Jack guide strengthener	1,80 mm	X	X
(58)	Rear interior sill	1,35 mm	X	X
(59)	Front interior sill	1,35 mm	X	X
(60)	Inner sill	1,25 mm	X	X
(61)	Chassis leg/sill link	1,15 mm	X	X
(62)	Front subframe rear support strengthener	2,50 mm	X	X
(63)	Bulkhead lower strengthener	2,00 mm	X	X
(64)	Tunnel front section	1,15 mm	-	-
(65)	Front floor	0,75 mm	X	X
(66)	Tunnel front strengthener	1,25 mm	X	X
(67)	Tunnel locating plate	1,30 mm	X	X
(68)	Front seat front cross member	1,15 mm	X	X
(69)	Front seat rear crossmember	1,75 mm	X	X
(70)	Tunnel/heel panel connection	1,25 mm	X	X
(71)	Inner sill strengthener	3,00 mm	X	X
(72)	Inner sill heel plate link	1,75 mm	X	X
(73)	Rear chassis leg	1,30 mm	X	X
(74)	Front floor rear stiffener	1,30 mm	X	X
(75)	Centre pillar strengthener(lower section)	1,90 mm	X	X
(76)	Sill rear partition	1,25 mm	X	X
(77)	Centre pillar lower partition	1,45 mm	X	X
(78)	Side member partition	1,25 mm	X	X
(79)	Sill front partition	1,45 mm	X	X
(80)	Jacking point	2,50 mm	X	X

Identification	Description	Thickness	Left-hand side	Right-hand side
(81)	Rear floor	0,95 mm	-	-
(82)	Rear axle crossmember closing panel	1,25 mm	-	-
(83)	Rear suspension cross-member	1,17 mm	-	-
(84)	Rear suspension support	2,20 mm	X	X
(85)	Rear side member inner panel	1,80 mm	X	X
(86)	Rear side member end fitting	3,00 mm	X	X
(87)	Rear side member endpiece strengthener	1,80 mm	X	X
(88)	Rear lower side member extension	1,35 mm	X	X
(89)	Side member rear strengthener	0,95 mm	X	X
(90)	Rear suspension spacer support	1,75 mm	X	X
(91)	Rear axle support	2,20 mm	X	X
(92)	Bottoming stop support	2,50 mm	X	X
(93)	Front side member panel	2,20 mm	X	X
(94)	Fuel tank front support	2,20 mm	-	-
(95)	Lower quarter panel inner panel	1,20 mm	X	X
(96)	Heel plate strengthener	1,15 mm	X	X
(97)	Side member closing panel	1,75 mm	X	X
(98)	Rear upper closer inner panel	2,70 mm	X	X
(99)	Side rail - side member connection	1,75 mm	X	X
(100)	Rear lower side member	1,70 mm	X	X

6. Location - Identification : Panels in high strength steel (HSS)

6.1. Location : Panels in high strength steel (HSS)

Panels in high strength steel (HSS).

6.2. Identification : Panels in high strength steel (HSS)

Identification	Description	Thickness	Left-hand side	Right-hand side
(101)	Scuttle closing panel lower part	0,80 mm	-	-
(102)	Windscreen wiper central support	0,95 mm	-	-
(103)	Windscreen lower cross member	0,95 mm	-	-
(104)	Steering column left bracket upper stiffener	1,25 mm	X	X
(105)	Scuttle spacer	1,25 mm	X	X
(106)	Plenum chamber stiffener	0,95 mm	X	X
(107)	Front pillar upper gusset	1,20 mm	X	X
(108)	Front pillar bottom hinge strengthener	1,15 mm	X	X
(109)	Front wing intermediate rear support	1,45 mm	X	X
(110)	Front wheel arch - front part	0,95 mm	X	X
(111)	Front wing support	1,30 mm	X	X
(112)	Front wing front mounting	1,50 mm	X	X
(113)	Front wing lower front bracket	2,50 mm	X	X
(114)	Door exterior stiffener	1,35 mm	X	X
(115)	Front panel support	2,00 mm	X	X
(116)	Front chassis leg	1,76 mm	X	X
(117)	Bulkhead strengthener	2,00 mm	-	-
(118)	Windscreen wiper right bracket stiffener	1,25 mm	X	X
(119)	Front wing upper rear bracket(front wing inner panel)	1,50 mm	X	X
(120)	Front wing upper rear bracket(passenger compartment side)	1,45 mm	X	X
(121)	Wiper outer support	1,75 mm	X	X
(122)	Front chassis member bracket strengthener	2,80 mm	X	X
(123)	Chassis member bracket	1,95 mm	X	X

Identification	Description	Thickness	Left-hand side	Right-hand side
(124)	Grab handle fixing support	1,15 mm	X	X
(125)	Panoramic sunroof glass support	2,00 mm	X	X
(126)	Roof central bow gusset	1,05 mm	X	X
(127)	Heel floor inner panel	1,25 mm	-	-
(128)	Door hinge tapping plate	4,00 mm	X	X
(129)	Centre pillar inner panel	0,65 mm	X	X
(130)	Rear door striker fixing strengthener	1,15 mm	X	X
(131)	Rear pillar strengthener	0,65 mm	X	X
(132)	Heel plate / inner sill connection	1,75 mm	X	X
(133)	Front seat belt reel fixing bracket	1,30 mm	X	X
(134)	Front floor	0,75 mm	X	X
(135)	Lower bulkhead	1,15 mm	-	-
(136)	Front floor strengthener	1,30 mm	X	X
(137)	Front inertia reel mounting stiffener	1,60 mm	X	X
(138)	Front seat belt upper mounting strengthener	1,60 mm	X	X
(139)	Heel plate strut	1,15 mm	X	X
(140)	Heel floor inner panel	1,25 mm	X	X
(141)	Dashboard crossmember lateral support	2,50 mm	X	X
(142)	Strengthening strut mounting	1,45 mm	X	X

Identification	Description	Thickness	Left-hand side	Right-hand side
(143)	Rear wheel arch front bracket	1,80 mm	X	X
(144)	Floor/wheelarch link	2,50 mm	X	X
(145)	Équerre arrière du passage de roue arrière	1,80 mm	X	X
(146)	Rear suspension abutment stiffener	1,00 mm	X	X
(147)	Rear seat belt return fixing strengthener	1,30 mm	X	X
(148)	Roof rear crossmember	0,95 mm	-	-
(149)	Rear seat belt reel securing bracket	1,45 mm	X	X
(150)	Rear wing inner panel top part	0,65 mm	X	X
(151)	Load floor extension	0,80 mm	X	X
(152)	Rear lower side member	1,60 mm	X	X
(153)	Front lower side member	2,50 mm	X	X
(154)	Rear axle support strengthener	2,20 mm	X	X
(155)	Rear seat back hinge centre support	1,90 mm	-	-
(156)	Rear suspension crossmember end pieces	1,45 mm	X	X
(157)	Rear back rest striker fixing plate	1,45 mm	X	X
(158)	Rear tailgate hinge strengthener	1,90 mm	X	X
(159)	Rear wheel arch strengthener	1,40 mm	X	X
(160)	Sub-frame rear strengthener	0,95 mm	-	-
(161)	Intermediate exhaust support	1,45 mm	-	-