Removal Procedure
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2003 Oldsmobile Bravada, 2003 GMC Envoy XL, 2003 GMC Envoy, and 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
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.
- Remove all of the related panels and components.
- Remove the sealer surrounding the hinge (1).
- Scribe the location of the hinge (1).
- Hand-sand the existing hinge (1) with 100-grit sandpaper to locate the 4 weld locations.Fig 3: Hand-Sanding Existing Hinge With 100-Grit Sandpaper To Locate Weld Location - Rear Door (Door 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. - Center punch each weld location (1).
IMPORTANT: Drill through the hinge base only (1). Do not drill through the mating surface (2).
- Remove the hinge tab (3) before drilling, if necessary.
- At each punch location, drill a 3 mm (1/8 in) pilot hole (1).
- 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).
IMPORTANT: If necessary, use a chisel to separate the hinge from the mating surface.
- Remove the hinge.
- Remove the remaining weld from the mating surface to ensure a flush fit of the service hinge.