Subject: | Laminated Steels - General Information and Specific Repair Procedures for Wheelhouse Replacement - Front, Extension Replacement Front Compartment Side Rail-Rear and Rail Replacement - Lower |
Models: | 2005 Buick LaCrosse, Allure (Canada Only) |
2005 Pontiac Grand Prix |
Laminated steel consists of three layers of material: two layers of mild steel with a layer of "visco-elastic" material between them. This "sandwich" of material layers provides better sound absorbing properties than regular, non-laminated materials.
Laminated steel is being used on the above listed vehicles to enhance the acoustic performance of these vehicles. Currently, the front dash panel of these vehicles is made from laminated steel.
This material is very different than standard steel applications. Because of these differences, it requires different repair procedures to be used when replacing components that attach directly to the laminated steel surfaces. Those components are typically structural rails, front wheelhouse/shock towers and front body hinge pillar inner panels. Depending on the design and build of the vehicle, though, some of the components may not attach directly to the laminated steel surface. Components that do not attach directly to the laminated steel surface may be attached in the normal manner.
• | MIG welding of this material is not recommended due to contamination of the weld from the "visco-elastic" layer. |
• | Rivet/bonding of components that attach to laminated steel surfaces is recommended. This process uses a structural rivet combined with metal panel bonding adhesives currently recommended by GM that meet the performance requirements of GM 6449G (guidelines for adhesive manufacturers to develop metal panel bonding adhesives). |
• | Resistance spot welding is recommended where the plier or jaw openings and reach of the tool will allow. Refer to the GM Dealer Equipment Catalog for current recommendations of resistance spot welding equipment or call 1-800-GMTOOLS. |
• | Laminated steel can be straightened cold or with heat. If heat is required, temperatures should be controlled to less than 1,200 degrees and the duration of the heat should be kept to less than 3 minutes overall (it is preferable that this be done in multiple steps). Heating this material following these guidelines will not effect the acoustical performance of this material. |
Refer to GM Service Information for the above-listed vehicles for specific procedures related to the components that attach to laminated steels. The procedure below has recently been added to SI. Additional procedures are currently being developed and Service Manual Update bulletins will be published to inform dealers of this new information.
Important: Model year 2004 and prior vehicles are not manufactured with laminated steel in front of the dashes. Therefore the front wheelhouse assembly can be MIG welded instead of the rivet and bonding process as stated in these instructions.
The front of the dash panel is formed from laminated steel. This steel is constructed by bonding 2 pieces of cold rolled steel (1) with a viscoelastic layer of adhesive (2). Metal inert gas (MIG) welding laminated steel does not meet GM Corporate standards for structural integrity. As an alternative, all factory welds will be replaced by using the rivet and adhesive bond method described in the installation portion of this procedure. The rivet and adhesive bond method must only be used in the areas as described in this procedure.
Important: Failure to follow this procedure will compromise the structural integrity of the vehicle.
Caution: Refer to Approved Equipment for Collision Repair Caution in Cautions and Notices.
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.
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.
Important: Note the number and location of the factory welds for installation of the full wheelhouse service part.
Important: Drill through the wheelhouse flange only. Do NOT drill into the dash panel or the inner reinforcements.
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.
Important: The adhesive has a 40-50 minute working time. Do NOT allow the adhesive to cure prior to installing 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.
Important: Verify proper positioning of the service wheelhouse prior to riveting and welding.
Important: Model year 2004 and prior vehicles are not manufactured with laminated steel in front of the dashes. Therefore the front lower rail extension can be MIG welded instead of the rivet and bonding process as stated in these instructions.
The front of the dash panel is formed from laminated steel. This steel is constructed by bonding 2 pieces of cold rolled steel (1) with a viscoelastic layer of adhesive (2). Metal inert gas (MIG) welding laminated steel does not meet GM Corporate standards for structural integrity. As an alternative, all factory welds will be replaced by using the rivet and adhesive bond method described in the installation portion of this procedure. The rivet and adhesive bond method must only be used in the areas as described in this procedure.
Important: Failure to follow this procedure will compromise the structural integrity of the vehicle.
Caution: Refer to Approved Equipment for Collision Repair Caution in Cautions and Notices.
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.
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.
Important: Note the number and location of the factory welds for installation of the rail side extension service part.
Important: Drill through the rail side extension flange only. Do NOT drill into the dash panel or the inner reinforcements.
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.
Important: The adhesive has a 40-50 minute working time. Do NOT allow the adhesive to cure prior to installing the service rail side extension.
Important: Do NOT pull the service rail side extension off of the dash after adhesion. To align the parts, slide the service rail side extension against the front of the dash.
Important: Verify proper positioning of the service rail side extension prior to riveting and welding.
Important: Model year 2004 and prior vehicles are not manufactured with laminated steel in front of the dashes. Therefore the front lower rail can be MIG welded instead of the rivet and bonding process as stated in these instructions.
The front of the dash panel is formed from laminated steel. This steel is constructed by bonding 2 pieces of cold rolled steel (1) with a viscoelastic layer of adhesive (2). Metal inert gas (MIG) welding laminated steel does not meet GM Corporate standards for structural integrity. As an alternative, all factory welds will be replaced by using the rivet and adhesive bond method described in the installation portion of this procedure. The rivet and adhesive bond method must only be used in the areas as described in this procedure.
Important: Failure to follow this procedure will compromise the structural integrity of the vehicle.
Caution: Refer to Approved Equipment for Collision Repair Caution in Cautions and Notices.
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.
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.
Important: Note the number and location of the factory welds for installation of the full rail service part.
Important: Drill through the rail flange only. Do NOT drill into the dash panel or the inner reinforcements.
Important: Failure to install the front compartment lower rail reinforcement to the front compartment lower rail will compromise the structural integrity of the vehicle.
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.
Important: Do NOT allow the adhesive to cure prior to installation of the front rail side extension. Refer to Extension Replacement Front Compartment Side Rail - Rear.
Important: Note the necessary location for installation of a 14-mm (17/32-in) long rivet.
Important: The adhesive has a 40-50 minute working time. Do NOT allow the adhesive to cure prior to installing the service rail.
Important: Do NOT pull the rail off of the dash after adhesion. To align the parts, slide the rail against the front of the dash.
Important: Verify proper positioning of the service rail prior to riveting and welding.
Important: These kits contain a panel or rail, an instruction sheet and rivets. The rivets and instruction sheet are common among the kits, but the panel or rail is specific to each kit.
Part Number | Description |
---|---|
89025134 | Panel Kit, Frt W/H (LH) |
89025136 | Panel Kit, Frt W/H (RH) |
89025137 | Rail Kit, F/Cmpt Si (LH Light) |
89025139 | Rail Kit, F/Cmpt Si (LH Heavy) |
89025140 | Rail Kit, F/Cmpt Si (RH Light) |
89025141 | Rail Kit, F/Cmpt Si (RH Heavy) |
89025776 | Rail Kit, F/Cmpt Si (RH Otr Ext) |
89025774 | Rail Kit, F/Cmpt Si (LH Otr Ext) |
12378567 (US) 88901675 (Canada) | Metal Panel Bonding Adhesive* |
* You can also use LORD FUSOR P/N 108B/109B. To order, contact them at 1-800-458-0456 or at www.fusor.com. |
Parts are expected to be available from GMSPO.