Removal Procedure
- Disable the SIR system. Refer to SIR Disabling and Enabling .
- Disconnect the negative battery cable. Refer to Battery Negative Cable Disconnection and Connection .
- Remove all related panels and components.
- Restore as much of the damage as possible .
- Remove sound deadeners as necessary and note their location.
- Remove the sealers and anti-corrosion materials from the repair area, as necessary. Refer to Anti-Corrosion Treatment and Repair .
- Cut the panel where sectioning is to be performed.
- Locate and drill out all factory welds. Note the number and location of welds for installation of the service part.
- Remove the damaged hinge pillar.
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.
Caution: Foam sound deadeners must be removed from areas within 152.4 mm (6 in) of where flame is to be used for body repairs. When reinstalling foam sound deadeners, avoid inhaling fumes as bodily injury may result.
Important: Do not damage any inner panels or reinforcements.
Important: Note the number and location of the factory welds for installation of the hinge pillar.
Installation Procedure
- Cut the outer front hinge 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.
- Create a 50 mm (2 in) backing plate from the unused portion of the service part for the windshield area. Create a 100 mm (4 in) backing plate from the unused portion of the service part for the rocker area. Trim the backing plates as necessary to fit behind the sectioning joint.
- Drill 8 mm (5/16 in) plug weld holes in the service part as necessary in the locations noted from the original panel and along the sectioning cut.
- Prepare all mating surfaces as necessary.
- Apply 3M Weld-Thru Coating P/N 05913 or equivalent to all mating surfaces.
- Fit the backing plates halfway into the sectioning joints, clamp in place and plug weld to the vehicle.
- Align outer front pillar using 3-dimensional measuring equipment.
- Plug weld accordingly.
- To create a solid weld with minimum heat distortion, make a 25 mm (1 in) stitch weld along the seam with 25 mm (1 in) gaps between them. Go back and complete the stitch weld.
- Clean and prepare all of the welded surfaces.
- Apply the sealers and anti-corrosion materials to the repair area if necessary. Refer to Anti-Corrosion Treatment and Repair .
- Paint the repaired area. Refer to Basecoat/Clearcoat Paint Systems .
- Install all of the related panels and components.
- Connect the negative battery cable. Refer to Battery Negative Cable Disconnection and Connection .
- Enable the SIR system. Refer to SIR Disabling and Enabling .
Important: If the location of the original plug weld holes can not be determined, place plug weld holes 40 mm (1 ½ in) apart.
