Removing Center Side Member (Rear Section)

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Fig 1: Center Side Member Component Location (Rear Section)

Courtesy of PORSCHE CARS NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Remove outer rear wheel housing. → 536855 REPLACING REAR WHEEL HOUSING - section on "Removing"
Remove the rear cross member (side impact reinforcement). → 510955 REPLACING REAR CROSS MEMBER (SIDE IMPACT REINFORCEMENT) - section on "Removing"
Information

Do not cut the side member in area -a- .

Cut the side member only in areas -b- and -c- .

Cuts must not obstruct the openings (holes in the side member).

Make cuts between the openings (holes in the side member).

Fig 2: Identifying Center Side Member Separation Points
Courtesy of PORSCHE CARS NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Possible separation points in center side member area
1. 3.1. A cut can only be made on the center side member within area -b- or -c- .
  
  Fig 3: Identifying Center Side Member Separation Points
  Courtesy of PORSCHE CARS NORTH AMERICA, INC.
2. 3.2. Mark separation point on center side member.
Cut through the center side member
1. 4.1. Cut through the center side member at the marked connection point -A- using the oscillating body saw. Do not damage internal components when doing this.
  
  Fig 4: Cutting Through Center Side Member
  Courtesy of PORSCHE CARS NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Mill off spotwelds
1. 5.1. Mill off spotwelds in areas -A- and -B- using a spotweld cutter.
  
  Fig 5: Cutting Spotwelds
  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
Loosen bonded joints on center side member
1. 6.1. Heat up bonded joints between the center side member and body using the Leister Elektron Hot-Air Gun and remove center side member.