Abstract: A vehicle door including a door water management system is disclosed. The water management system includes a baffle installed within the door to direct water towards a lateral door of the door, preventing water from leaking inside a motor vehicle. The water management system also includes a grommet that is set within an opening of a stiffening member, which is disposed between an exterior skin member and an interior panel member of the vehicle door. The grommet protects a wire running through the opening of the stiffening member and helps prevent water from leaking through that opening.

Abstract: A vehicle door including a door water management system is disclosed. The water management system includes a baffle installed within the door to direct water towards a lateral door of the door, preventing water from leaking inside a motor vehicle. The water management system also includes a grommet that is set within an opening of a stiffening member, which is disposed between an exterior skin member and an interior panel member of the vehicle door. The grommet protects a wire running through the opening of the stiffening member and helps prevent water from leaking through that opening.

Abstract: A masking system and method for painting a vehicle with parts made of dissimilar materials is provided. The masking system includes a masking gasket temporarily mounted between a mounting surface of a first part and a mounting surface of a second part. The masking gasket further includes a plurality of links, thermal expansion joints linking together the plurality of links, and mounting locations for securing the masking gasket to the first and second parts of the vehicle.

Abstract: A masking system and method for painting a vehicle with parts made of dissimilar materials is provided. The masking system includes a masking gasket temporarily mounted between a mounting surface of a first part and a mounting surface of a second part. The masking gasket further includes a plurality of links, thermal expansion joints linking together the plurality of links, and mounting locations for securing the masking gasket to the first and second parts of the vehicle.

Abstract: A tower bar construction for a motor vehicle is disclosed. The tower bar construction includes a member extending from strut tower to strut tower. This component resists relative movement between strut towers. The construction also includes two continuous sections from each strut tower to an upper panel. These sections resist relative movement between strut towers and the upper panel. The tower bar construction includes a central reinforcing portion welded to an upper panel that resists torsion exerted on the section created by relative movement between strut towers and the upper panel.

Abstract: A support structure for a vehicle instrument panel frame may be made by: extruding a part having a cross-section that is closed and hollow along a portion of its length; and, forming the part to alter the shape of the cross-section at one or more points along the longitudinal axis of the part.

Abstract: A tower bar construction for a motor vehicle is disclosed. The tower bar construction includes a member extending from strut tower to strut tower. This component resists relative movement between strut towers. The construction also includes two continuous sections from each strut tower to an upper panel. These sections resist relative movement between strut towers and the upper panel. The tower bar construction includes a central reinforcing portion welded to an upper panel that resists torsion exerted on the section created by relative movement between strut towers and the upper panel.

Abstract: A brake duct assembly for use in communicating cooling air from a front facia of a vehicle to a front brake assembly. The assembly includes an inlet portion, a passageway portion, and an outlet portion. The portion is disposed in the vehicle facia, and the outlet portion extends through an opening in a wheel well liner surrounding the front brake assembly. The passageway portion extends between and interconnects the inlet portion and the outlet portion. The outlet portion is spaced a distance from the front brake assembly and includes a plurality of fins that serve to transform the air stream received from the passageway portion into a plurality of air streams that are directed toward the front brake assembly and serve to cool said front brake assembly. The brake duct assembly is adapted for installation in reduced-space locations and for providing cooling air from the outlet portion that is spaced remotely from the brake assembly.

Abstract: A brake duct assembly for use in communicating cooling air from a front facia of a vehicle to a front brake assembly. The assembly includes an inlet portion, a passageway portion, and an outlet portion. The portion is disposed in the vehicle facia, and the outlet portion extends through an opening in a wheel well liner surrounding the front brake assembly. The passageway portion extends between and interconnects the inlet portion and the outlet portion. The outlet portion is spaced a distance from the front brake assembly and includes a plurality of fins that serve to transform the air stream received from the passageway portion into a plurality of air streams that are directed toward the front brake assembly and serve to cool said front brake assembly. The brake duct assembly is adapted for installation in reduced-space locations and for providing cooling air from the outlet portion that is spaced remotely from the brake assembly.

Abstract: An impact reduction vehicle bumper system for a vehicle has a pedestrian safety plate, which is connected to a steel bumper beam and occupies the region between a pair of frame rails that are disposed on the front of the vehicle. The bumper beam is connected to side brackets, which are bolted to the vehicle frame rails. Frame rail extensions are located in front of the frame rails and are welded to the side brackets.

Abstract: An impact reduction vehicle bumper system for a vehicle has a pedestrian safety plate, which is connected to a steel bumper beam and occupies the region between a pair of frame rails that are disposed on the front of the vehicle. The bumper beam is connected to side brackets, which are bolted to the vehicle frame rails. Frame rail extensions are located in front of the frame rails and are welded to the side brackets.