Front Wheelhouse Replacement Steel Dash

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

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 .

Important: This assembly is replaced at factory seams.

3. Remove all related panels and components.
4. Repair as much of the damage 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: Note the number and location of the factory welds for installation of the full rail service part.

6. Locate and drill out all the necessary factory welds.



7. Remove the full rail.

Important: If the location of the original plug weld holes can not be determined, space the plug weld holes every 40 mm (1½ in) apart.

1. Drill 8 mm (5/16 in) plug weld holes in the service part as necessary in the locations noted from the original panel.
2. Prepare all mating surfaces as necessary.
3. Apply GM-approved weld-thru coating or equivalent to all mating surfaces. Refer to Anti-Corrosion Treatment and Repair .
4. Position the full rail service part to the vehicle using 3-dimensional measuring equipment. Clamp the rail in place.



5. Plug weld accordingly.
6. Clean and prepare all of the welded surfaces.
7. Apply the sealers and anti-corrosion materials to the repair area, as necessary. Refer to Anti-Corrosion Treatment and Repair .
8. Paint the repaired area. Refer to Basecoat/Clearcoat Paint Systems .
9. Install all of the related panels and components.
10. Connect the negative battery cable. Refer to Battery Negative Cable Disconnection and Connection .
11. Enable the SIR system. Refer to SIR Disabling and Enabling .

Front Wheelhouse Replacement Laminated Steel Dash

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

Caution: Refer to Foam Sound Deadeners Caution in the Preface section.

Important: 

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 .

Caution: Refer to Collision Sectioning Caution in the Preface section.

3. Remove all related panels and components.
4. Repair as much of the damage as possible.
5. Remove the sealers and the anti-corrosion materials from the repair area, as necessary. Refer to Anti-Corrosion Treatment and Repair .




Important: Note the number and location of the factory welds for installation of the full wheelhouse service part.

6. Remove the upper tie bar. Refer to Tie Bar Replacement .
7. Remove the upper fender rail.




Important: Drill through the wheelhouse flange only. Do NOT drill into the dash panel or the inner reinforcements.

8. Using an 8 mm (5/16 in) spot weld remover, locate and drill out the factory welds on the weld flange connecting the wheelhouse to the dash panel.



9. Remove the wheelhouse.

1. Position the service wheelhouse to the vehicle using 3-dimensional measuring equipment.
2. Clamp the wheelhouse in place.



3. Using a 7 mm (17/64 in) bit, drill the rivet attachment holes through the service wheelhouse and the dash panel, in the exact locations as noted from the factory wheelhouse.



4. Remove the service wheelhouse.




Important: If the location of the original plug weld holes cannot be determined, space the plug weld holes every 40 mm (1.5 in) apart.

5. Drill 8 mm (5/16 in) plug weld holes in the service wheelhouse, as necessary, in the remaining locations noted from the original wheelhouse.
6. Prepare the plug weld mating surfaces, as necessary.
7. Apply GM-approved Weld-Thru Coating or equivalent to all mating surfaces. Refer to Anti-Corrosion Treatment and Repair .



8. Prepare the bond mating areas by grinding the body mating and the service part flanges to bare steel. Do NOT damage the corners or thin the metal during the grinding process.
9. Clean the mating surfaces.




Important: The adhesive has a 40-50 minute working time. Do NOT allow the adhesive to cure prior to installing the service wheelhouse.

10. Apply a 3-6 mm (1/8 to 1/4 in) bead of metal panel bonding adhesive GM P/N 12378567 (Canadian P/N 88901675) or equivalent to both of the mating surfaces.



11. Using a small acid brush, spread a coat of adhesive to both of the mating surfaces. Cover all of the bare metal to ensure corrosion protection.



12. Apply a 3-6 mm (1/8 to 1/4 in) bead of metal panel bonding adhesive GM P/N 12378567 (Canadian P/N 88901675) or equivalent to the mating surface of the service wheelhouse.




Important: Do NOT pull the wheelhouse off of the dash after adhesion. To align the parts, slide the wheelhouse against the front of the dash.

13. Position the service wheelhouse to the vehicle using 3-dimensional measuring equipment.
14. Clamp the wheelhouse in place.




Important: Verify proper positioning of the service wheelhouse prior to riveting and welding.

15. Install the 9 mm (11/32 in) long rivets so that the rivet head contacts the passenger compartment side of the dash.
16. Remove the excess adhesive from the wheelhouse area.



17. Plug weld the remaining holes accordingly.
18. Clean and prepare all of the welded surfaces.
19. Install the upper tie bar. Refer to Tie Bar Replacement .
20. Install the upper fender rail.
21. Apply the sealers and anti-corrosion materials to the repaired area, as necessary. Refer to Anti-Corrosion Treatment and Repair .
22. Paint the repaired area. Refer to Basecoat/Clearcoat Paint Systems .
23. Install all of the related panels and components.
24. Connect the negative battery cable. Refer to Battery Negative Cable Disconnection and Connection .
25. Enable the SIR system. Refer to SIR Disabling and Enabling .