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

Caution: 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 .

Important: Cut through the outer panel only. Do not damage the hydroformed tube in the windshield pillar area.

Important: Sectioning can be done anywhere in the straight areas of the windshield pillar and along the rocker panel.

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



7. Mark the location for section cutting on the vehicle at the windshield pillar and rocker panel locations.
8. Locate and drill out the spot welds on the weatherstrip retainer as necessary to service part. The complete retainer does not need to be removed.

•	Remove all foam prior to welding this section of the service panel.

•	The hinge pillar blocks must be replaced if damaged.

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 hydroformed reinforcement tube 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 1/2 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 windshield pillar area, use the hydroformed inner rail 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.

Important: Replace the hinge pillar blocks prior to welding the outer panel.

9. Apply windshield bonding adhesive to the hydroformed reinforcement as noted from the removal procedure.
10. Plug weld accordingly.



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). Complete the stitch weld.
12. Stitch weld the butt weld locations.
13. Clean and prepare all of the welded surfaces and the acoustic foam.
14. Apply the sealers and anti-corrosion materials to the repair area, as necessary. Refer to Anti-Corrosion Treatment and Repair .
15. Paint the repaired area. Refer to Basecoat/Clearcoat Paint Systems .
16. Install all of the related panels and components.
17. Connect the negative battery cable. Refer to Battery Negative Cable Disconnection and Connection .
18. Enable the SIR system. Refer to SIR Disabling and Enabling .