Tech - Tick Noise from Roof Panel Near Sides (Reinf Roof Panel Joint)

This bulletin is being revised to add additional detail to the illustration and to add additional instructions to more accurately locate the drilling points of the reinforcement bolts. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 99-08-67-002 (Section 08 -- Body and Accessories)

Some customers may comment on a "ticking" noise from the roof near the lock pillar. This noise may originate from either side of the vehicle and affects coupes with or without RPO CC1 (Removable Hatch Roof Panels). This noise will be an intermittent condition, primarily occurring in very hot weather and may be difficult to reproduce. This condition should not be confused with noise emanating from the seat belt retractors which are also located in this area of the vehicle. Do not attempt to repair the seat belt retractor noise as it results from the normal functioning of the mechanism.

The welds in the inner roof to quarter panel joint may have inconsistent spacing. This may allow the quarter panel to roof joint metal at two locations to "tick" or tap together at very high inner roof temperatures.

Drill two holes per side along roof/quarter panel joint and install bolts and backing nuts to the affected area. Quarter panel to roof joint must be reinforced on both sides of the vehicle regardless of which side the customer concern originates.

Service Procedure

Use the following procedure to reinforce the roof/quarter panel joint:

1. Remove the left and the right sunshade assemblies.
2. Remove the glass hatch roof panels (if equipped).
3. Remove the left and the right windshield pillar trim.
4. Remove the dome lamp.
5. Remove the plastic headliner retainer from the roof T-Bar (if equipped with RPO CC1).
6. Remove the left and the right coat hook from the quarter trim.
7. Remove the left and the right seat belt retractor bezel trim.
8. Remove the spare tire finish cover and left side trunk trim panel.
9. Remove the left and the right quarter panel finish trim (fold the rear seats to access).

Notice: When removing the headliner panel, use care when routing the seat belt webbing through the headliner slot and evenly support the panel to avoid kinking the material.

10. Remove the headliner panel.




Important: When marking the locations to be drilled in the following step, please note that the proper location for drilling is within the "ditch" or depressed channel in the roof as shown in the illustration. It is critical to the repair of the vehicle that the reinforcement bolts be located within this channel. Observe all instructions below to avoid damage to the vehicles outer panels.

11. Mark the locations to be drilled following the illustration (right side shown, left similar). Drilling locations should be chosen so that the bolts (1) are driven through all interior layers of metal. The exact location will have slight car-to-car variation but you can confirm the proper location by reaching through the round access hole to confirm that the bolts (1) will pass through both the inner panels solidly. The bolt positioned inboard of the vehicle should be located so that the shoulder does not overlap the end of the quarter panel metal and is located within the depressed channel in the roof as shown in the illustration. Use a punch to start the holes and control drill "walking". Repeat for the other side.

Caution: Use a drill depth guide and exercise extreme caution when drilling the holes through the upper quarter panel to the inner roof seam. Drill through the inner panels only! Failure to control depth of the drill will result in damage to the composite outer roof panel. In order to prevent personal injury, wear safety glasses while performing this operation.

Notice: Use paper or some other means to aid in collecting metal shavings. Vehicles equipped with leather interior are susceptible to damage (scratching) if you slide on the seat surface littered with metal shavings.

12. Drill two 3.175 mm (1/8 in) pilot holes per side.
13. Drill two 6.35 mm (¼ in) final holes per side.
14. Install two bolts size M6 x 1 x 20 (P/N 3522355) per side.
15. Install two backing nuts (P/N 11515741) per side.

Tighten
Tighten all bolts to 14 N·m (11 lb ft).

16. Install the headliner panel.
17. Install the left and the right quarter panel finish trim.
18. Install the seat belt retractor bezel trim.
19. Install the left and the right coat hook to the quarter trim.
20. Install the spare tire finish panel and the left side trunk finish panel.
21. Install the plastic retainer to the headliner at the roof T-Bar (if equipped with RPO CC1).
22. Install the dome lamp.
23. Install the left and the right windshield pillar trim panels.
24. Install the glass roof panels (if equipped).
25. Install the left and the right sunshade assemblies.

Parts are currently available from GMSPO.

For vehicles repaired under warranty, use: