Warning: Refer to Approved Equipment for Collision Repair Warning in the Preface section.

Warning: Sectioning should be performed only in the recommended areas. Failure to do so may compromise the structural integrity of the vehicle and cause personal injury if the vehicle is in a collision.

The sedan body side outer panel are available in one-piece side frames. You can perform any one of these replacement procedures separately or in any combination, depending upon the extent of damage to the vehicle. Sectioning must take place in specified areas only. Stay away from the door and window opening radius areas. Section only in straight areas of the openings.

1. Disable the SIR system. Refer to SIR Disabling and Enabling.
2. Disconnect the negative battery cable. Refer to Battery Negative Cable Disconnection and Connection.
3. Remove all related panels and components.
4. Repair as much of the damaged area as possible. Refer to Dimensions - Body.
5. Remove the sealers and anti-corrosion materials from the repair area, as necessary. Refer to Anti-Corrosion Treatment and Repair.

Note: Cut through the outer panel only.

6. Locate the area on the panel where sectioning will be performed.



7. Mark the location for section cutting on the vehicle at the hinge pillar (A) and rocker panel locations.
8. Remove all foam prior to welding this section of the service panel.
9. Note the placement and the number of the foam baffles for new installation. Any damaged baffles may be replaced.
10. Remove the outer panel.
11. Clean the adhesive and sealer from the inner hinge pillar as necessary. Note the location for installation.
12. Remove the damaged hinge pillar.

1. Cut the replacement hinge pillar in corresponding locations to fit the vehicle. The panel should be trimmed to allow a gap 1 ½ times the metal thickness at the sectioning location.
2. Create a 100 mm (4 in) backing plate on the rocker panel from the unused portion of the service part.
3. In the hinge pillar area, use the inner hinge pillar for the backing plate.
4. Drill 8 mm (5/16 in) plug weld holes in the service part according to the original locations as noted, and in the original panel where the backing plate overlaps.



5. Prepare all mating surfaces as necessary.
6. Apply GM-approved Weld-Thru Coating or equivalent to all mating surfaces. Refer to Anti-Corrosion Treatment and Repair.
7. Fit the backing plate halfway into the sectioning joint 50 mm (2 in) at the rocker panel areas. Clamp the plate in place, and plug weld to the section joint
8. Position the outer front pillar to the vehicle using 3-dimensional measuring equipment. Clamp the pillar in place.
9. Plug weld accordingly.



10. Stitch weld the butt weld locations.
11. To create a solid weld with minimum heat distortion, make a 25 mm (1 in) stitch weld along the seam with gaps of 25 mm (1 in). Go back and complete the stitch weld.
12. Clean and prepare all of the welded surfaces and replace the acoustic foam.
13. Apply the sealers and anti-corrosion materials to the repair area, as necessary. Refer to Anti-Corrosion Treatment and Repair.
14. Paint the repaired area. Refer to Basecoat/Clearcoat Paint Systems.
15. Install all of the related panels and components.
16. Connect the negative battery cable. Refer to Battery Negative Cable Disconnection and Connection.
17. Enable the SIR system. Refer to SIR Disabling and Enabling.