Chevrolet Cruze Repair Manual: Overlap/Backing Plate Sectioning (Welding)
Warning: Refer to Approved Equipment for Collision Repair Warning in
the Preface section.
- Fit the service panel to the vehicle to ensure a proper fit.
- Measure and mark a line at the sail panel 120 mm (4 3/4 in) from the
back glass opening and 70 mm (2 3/4 in) rearward from the
rocker panel locating hole edge of the service panel.
- Cut along the line to trim the service panel.
- Fabricate a 50 mm (2 in) backer plate so that the panel will fit behind
the sectioning joint at the sail panel.
- Fabricate a 100 mm (4 in) backer plate for the rocker panel.
- Drill 8 mm (5/16 in) plug weld holes as necessary in the locations noted
from the original panel.
- Bevel the sail panel and service panel edges at the sectioned area to
approximately 10 degrees.
- Grind a 50 mm (2 in) area of the outer surface on the vehicle to remove
any corrosion, E-coat, primers, coatings and galvanizing
that may be present.
- At the section area on the service panel, grind a 50 mm (2 in) area of
the back side to remove any corrosion, E-coat, primers,
coatings and galvanizing that may be present.
- Drill plug weld holes approximately 13 mm (1/2 in) from the edge of the
cuts the sectioning areas of the service panel and the
original panel.
- Prepare all mating surfaces as necessary.
- Apply GM-approved weld-thru coating or equivalent to all mating
surfaces. Refer to Anti-Corrosion Treatment and Repair.
- Position and clamp or screw the backer plate with half of the backer
plate exposed at the sectioning joint.
Note: Leave a gap of 1 1/2 times the thickness of the metal at the
sectioning joint to the original panel.
- Position the service panel to overlap the backer plate and 1 1/2 times
the thickness up to the original panel.
- Check for proper fit and alignment to the vehicle. Clamp the panels
together.
- Plug weld the backer plate accordingly.
- Stitch weld along the entire sectioning joint, make 25 mm (1 in) welds
along the seam with 25 mm (1 in) gaps between them.
- Complete the stitch weld.
- Clean and prepare all welded surfaces of the entire sectioning joint.
Note: Always follow the system manufacturer's instructions for
application, handling, and curing.
- Apply a lightweight body filler to the backer plate area.
Specifications
Point-to-point measurements are for reference only. All measurements are
given in millimeters. Use these measurements for diagnosing
and estimating. Point-to-point measurements ...
Removal Procedure
Warning: Refer to Approved Equipment for Collision Repair Warning in the
Preface section.
Warning: Refer to Glass and Sheet Metal Handling Warning in the Preface section.
D ...
Other materials:
Installation Procedure
Cut the rear side rail in corresponding locations to fit the remaining
original panel. The sectioning joint should be trimmed to allow a
gap of one-and-one-half-times the metal thickness at the sectioning joint.
Create a 50 mm (2 in) backing plate from the unused portion of the
serv ...
Brake System Warning Light
The vehicle brake system consists of two hydraulic circuits. If one circuit is
not working, the remaining circuit can still work to stop the vehicle. For normal
braking performance, both circuits need to be working.
If the warning light comes on, there is a brake problem. Have the brake system ...
Driving on Wet Roads
Rain and wet roads can reduce vehicle traction and affect your ability to stop
and accelerate.
Always drive slower in these types of driving conditions and avoid driving through
large puddles and deep-standing or flowing water.
WARNING
Wet brakes can cause crashes.
They might not work as wel ...