Removing C-Pillar Reinforcement

Information 

• All straightening work on the body in the connection area of the sheetmetal parts to be replaced must be completed before the damaged parts are removed  .

Fig 1: C-Pillar Reinforcement Component Location

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1. C-pillar, inner
2. C-pillar side section, outer

1. Remove rear side section. → Removing Rear Side Panel 
2. Remove outer side member. → Removing Outer Lower Side Member
3. Remove lower side member reinforcement. → Removing Lower Side Member Reinforcement
4. Remove rear wheel housing. → Removing Rear Wheel Housing 
   Fig 2: Overview Of C-Pillar - Outside

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5. Cut off C-pillar at the reinforcement for the outer D-pillar.
   1. 5.1. Mill off welded joints on the reinforcement for the outer D-pillar using the spotweld cutter (area -A-  ).
      Fig 3: Separating Welded Joints On D-Pillar Reinforcement

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      Fig 4: Overview Of C-Pillar - Outside

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6. Cut off C-pillar at the outer side member.
   1. 6.1. Cut the laser-welded joints between the C-pillar and lower side member using the parting grinder (areas -A and B-  ).
      Fig 5: Separating Welded Joints On Outer Side Member

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   2. 6.2. Mill off welded joints on the lower side member using the spotweld cutter (area -C-  ).
      Fig 6: Overview Of C-Pillar - Inside

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7. Cut off C-pillar at the inner lower side member.
   1. 7.1. Grind off MIG seams on the inner lower side member using a parting grinder (areas -A and B-  ).
      Fig 7: Separating Welded Joints On Inner Lower Side Member

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      Fig 8: Overview Of C-Pillar - Inside

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8. Cut off C-pillar at the reinforcement for the inner D-pillar.
   1. 8.1. Mill off welded joints on the reinforcement for the inner D-pillar using the spotweld cutter (areas -A and B-  ).
      Fig 9: Separating Welded Joints On Reinforcement For Inner D-Pillar (One Panel Thickness)

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      Information 

      • These welded joints must be milled off from the inside by two panel thicknesses. As a result, these areas can also be resistance spot-welded during installation. 
   2. 8.2. Mill off welded joints on the reinforcement for the inner D-pillar by two panel thicknesses using the spotweld cutter (areas -A and B-  ).
      Fig 10: Separating Welded Joints On Reinforcement For Inner D-Pillar (Two Panel Thicknesses)

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      Fig 11: Overview Of C-Pillar - Outside

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9. Cut through the C-pillar from the outside.

   Information 

   • During the separation stage, the side section of the outer C-pillar and the inner C-pillar are both cut through. The cut in the rear side section is used as the upper reference line for taking measurements. 
   1. 9.1. Cut fully through the C-pillar in area -A- using the body saw. Maintain the dimension -X1-  → Cut dimension, old part: 50 mm  .
      Fig 12: Identifying Connection Point For Outer C-Pillar

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10. Remove the outer C-pillar side section and the inner C-pillar together.
    Fig 13: Overview Of C-Pillar - Inside

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11. Separate the remaining inner C-pillar.

    Information 

    • Only the inner C-pillar can be cut through when cutting the joints. The lower edge of the oval opening on the upper C-pillar is used as the upper reference line for taking measurements  .
    1. 11.1. Cut through the inner C-pillar in area -A-  using the oscillating body saw. Maintain the dimension -X2-  → Cut dimension, old part: 75 mm  . Do not damage internal components.
       Fig 14: Identifying Connection Point For Inner C-Pillar

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    2. 11.2. Cut the laser-welded joints between the inner C-pillar and the outer C-pillar side section using the parting grinder (area -B-  ).
    3. 11.3. Mill off welded joints on the inner C-pillar using the spotweld cutter (area -C-  ).
12. Remove the remaining inner C-pillar.