Removing Hinge Pillar Reinforcement

Fig 1: Hinge Pillar Reinforcement Component Location

Courtesy of PORSCHE CARS NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Remove outer hinge pillar. → 513755 REPLACING HINGE PILLAR - section on "Removing"
Remove lower side member. → 514555 REPLACING LOWER SIDE MEMBER - section on "Removing"
Information

Possible separation points on hinge pillar reinforcement
- If you are sure there has been no deformation of the roof area structure, a separation point in area -A- can be used for the following repair work.
  
  Fig 2: Identifying Hinge Pillar Reinforcement Separation Points
  Courtesy of PORSCHE CARS NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Separate inert-gas welded seams.
1. 3.1. Separate inert-gas welded seams in areas -A- and -B- using a parting grinder.
2. 3.2. Separate inert-gas slot welds in area -C- using a parting grinder.
  
  Fig 3: Separating Inert-Gas Welded Seams
  Courtesy of PORSCHE CARS NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Information

Separate body parts
- In the case of 3-layer spot-welded panel joints with a hardened bonded layer on the outer panel, drill the outer panel in the area of the spotwelds sufficiently well without damaging the spotweld in the second component layer. After removing the loosened body part, old adhesive must be removed and any uneven spots sanded down. The flange area must then be pre-treated for bonding.
- For a description of the procedure, see: Information on the use of structural adhesive in vehicle manufacturing → 5X00IN16 WORKING WITH BODY STRUCTURAL ADHESIVE
Mill off spotwelds.
1. 4.1. Mill off spotwelds in areas -A, B, C- using a spotweld cutter.
  
  Fig 4: Cutting Spotwelds
  Courtesy of PORSCHE CARS NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Mill off spotwelds.
1. 5.1. Mill off spotwelds in areas -A, B, C- using a spotweld cutter.
  
  Fig 5: Cutting Spotwelds
  Courtesy of PORSCHE CARS NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Mill off spotwelds.
1. 6.1. Mill off spotwelds in areas -A- using a spotweld cutter (2 sheet thicknesses).
  
  Fig 6: Cutting Spotwelds
  Courtesy of PORSCHE CARS NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Separate inert-gas welded seams.
1. 7.1. Separate inert-gas welded seams in areas -A- and -B- using a parting grinder.
  
  Fig 7: Separating Inert-Gas Welded Seams
  Courtesy of PORSCHE CARS NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Separate bonded joints on hinge pillar reinforcement.
1. 8.1. Heat up bonded joints between hinge pillar reinforcement and body using the Leister Elektron Hot-Air Gun and remove hinge pillar reinforcement.