GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Buick 🢒 2009 🢒 Lucerne 🢒 Body Repair 🢒 Collision Repair 🢒 Body Lock Pillar Outer Panel Sectioning

Removal Procedure

    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.

    Note: The full-length inner reinforcement must be removed from the service part for installation. Drill out the spot welds as necessary to separate the parts. The reinforcement may be sectioned using an overlap procedure 30 mm (1 1/8 in) lower on the pillar than the outer sectioning location.

  1. The body side outer panel is available only in 1-piece side frame portions. You can perform any one of these replacement procedures separately or in any combination, depending upon the extent of the damage to the vehicle. Sectioning must take place in specified areas only.

    2. Remove all related panels and components.

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

    6. Object Number: 1677492 Size: SH
  6. Note the placement and the number of the foam baffles and structural nylon inserts. Any damaged baffles or inserts may be replaced.

    7. Object Number: 1677493 Size: SH
  7. From the top of the hinge pillar (a), measure down 100 mm (b). Scribe a line. This is the cut location.

    8. Object Number: 1677494 Size: SH

    Note: Sectioning procedures can only take place in the straight areas of the body side panel.

  8. Create cut lines on the rocker panel within the approved sectioning locations, as needed.
  9. Cut the panel at the center pillar where the layout line was scribed.

    10. Object Number: 1677495 Size: SH
  10. Cut the panel at the rocker panel area where sectioning is to be performed, within the straight sections only.

    11. Object Number: 1677497 Size: SH
  11. Locate and drill out all factory welds. Note the number and location of welds for installation of the service part.
  12. Remove the damaged center pillar.

Installation Procedure

    Object Number: 1677498 Size: SH
  1. Cut the outer center pillar in corresponding locations to fit the remaining original panel. The sectioning joint should be trimmed to allow a gap of 1½ times the metal thickness at the sectioning joint.
  2. In all the rocker panel areas, create a 100 mm (4 in) backing plate from the unused portion of the service part in the pillar area create a 50 mm backing plate. Trim the backing plates, as necessary, to fit behind the sectioning joint.
  3. In the upper center pillar area, the inner reinforcement will be used as a backing plate.

    4. Note: If the location of the original plug weld holes cannot be determined, space the plug weld holes every 40 mm (1½ in) apart.

  4. Drill 8 mm (5/16 in) along the sectioning cuts on the remaining original part. Locate these holes 13 mm (½ in) from the edge of the part and space 40 mm (1½ in) apart.
  5. Drill 8 mm (5/16 in) plug weld holes in the service part, as necessary, in the corresponding locations noted on the original panel.
  6. Prepare all mating surfaces for welding, as necessary.
  7. Apply GM-approved Weld-Thru Coating or equivalent to all mating surfaces. Refer to Anti-Corrosion Treatment and Repair.
  8. Fit the backing plates into the sectioning joints 50 mm (2 in) for the rocker section, for a total of 100 mm (4 in).
  9. Clamp the backing plates in place. Plug weld the backing plates to the vehicle.
  10. Install the structural nylon block. Refer to Structure Foam Replacement.
  11. Install the baffles for acoustic foam, as noted during the Removal Procedure.
  12. Position the outer center pillar to the vehicle using 3-dimensional measuring equipment. Clamp the pillar in place.
  13. Plug weld accordingly.

    14. Object Number: 1677494 Size: SH
  14. 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.
  15. Clean and prepare all of the welded surfaces.
  16. Apply the sealers, acoustic foam, and anti-corrosion materials to the repair area, as necessary. Refer to Anti-Corrosion Treatment and Repair.
  17. Paint the repaired area. Refer to Basecoat/Clearcoat Paint Systems.
  18. Install all of the related panels and components.
  19. Connect the negative battery cable. Refer to Battery Negative Cable Disconnection and Connection.
  20. Enable the SIR system. Refer to SIR Disabling and Enabling.