Removal Procedure

The upper and lower hinges of the vehicle are similar. Both hinges do not have to be replaced unless damage warrants replacement of both. The hinges are similar on left and right sides of the vehicle. These replacement procedures apply to all hinges.

Fig 1: Removing Sealer Surrounding Hinge
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
1. Remove all of the related panels and components.
2. Remove the sealer surrounding the hinge (1).
Fig 2: Scribing Hinge Location
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
3. Scribe the location of the hinge (1).
Fig 3: Hand-Sanding Existing Hinge
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
4. Hand-sand the existing hinge (1) with 100-grit sandpaper to locate the 4 weld locations.
Fig 4: Center Punch Weld Location
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
IMPORTANT: Punch the center of the weld so that as much of the weld as possible is removed during drilling.
5. Center punch each weld location (1).
Fig 5: Hinge Base, Mating Surface And Pilot Hole
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
IMPORTANT: Drill only through the hinge base (1). Do not drill through the mating surface (2).
6. At each punch location, drill a 3-mm (1/8-in) pilot hole (1).
Fig 6: Drilling Through Hinge Base Using Rotabroach Hole Saw
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
7. Using the pilot hole as a guide, drill through the hinge base using a 19-mm (3/4-in) rotabroach hole saw or equivalent (2).
Fig 7: Removing Hinge
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
IMPORTANT: If necessary, use a chisel to separate the hinge from the mating surface.
8. Remove the hinge.
Fig 8: Removing Weld From Mating Surface
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
9. Remove the remaining weld from the mating surface to ensure a flush fit of the service hinge.