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.

1. Remove all of the related panels and components.
2. Remove the sealer surrounding the hinge (1).
Fig 1: Removing Sealer Surrounding Hinge - Rear Door (Body Side)
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
3. Scribe the location of the hinge (1).
Fig 2: Scribing Location Of Hinge - Rear Door (Body Side)
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
4. Hand-sand the existing hinge (1) with 100-grit sandpaper to locate the four weld locations.
   Fig 3: Hand-Sanding Existing Hinge With 100-Grit Sandpaper To Locate Weld Location - Rear Door (Body Side)

   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 4: Center Punching Each Weld Location - Rear Door (Body Side)

   Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
   IMPORTANT: Drill through the hinge base only (1). Do not drill through the mating surface (2).
6. 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 5: Drilling Through Hinge Base Using 19 mm (3/4 in) Rotabroach Hole Saw Or Equivalent - Rear Door (Body Side)
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
7. At each punch location, drill a 3 mm (1/8 in) pilot hole (1).
   Fig 6: Drilling 3 mm (1/8 in) Pilot Hole - Rear Door (Body Side)

   Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
   IMPORTANT: If necessary, use a chisel to separate the hinge from the mating surface.
8. Remove the hinge.
Fig 7: Separating Hinge From Mating Surface - Rear Door (Body Side)
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
9. Remove the remaining weld from the mating surface to ensure a flush fit of the service hinge.
Fig 8: Removing Remaining Weld From Mating Surface - Rear Door (Body Side)
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.