FREE REPAIR MANUALS & LABOR GUIDES 1982-2013 Vehicles
Courtesy of Operation CHARM: Car repair manuals for everyone.

Rear Window Panel Reinforcement Replacement

Rear Window Panel Reinforcement Replacement

Removal Procedure

CAUTION: Refer to Approved Equipment for Collision Repair Caution in Service Precautions.

1. Disable the SIR system. Refer to SIR Disabling and Enabling in SIR.
2. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
3. Remove all related panels and components.
4. Repair as much of the damaged area as possible.




5. Remove the sealers and anti-corrosion materials from the repair area, as necessary. Refer to Anti-Corrosion Treatment and Repair.

IMPORTANT: Note the number and location of the factory welds for installation of the rear window reinforcement.




6. Locate and drill out all the necessary factory welds.
7. Remove the rear window reinforcement.

Installation Procedure

IMPORTANT: If the location of the original plug weld holes can not be determined, space the plug weld holes every 40 mm (1 1/2 in) apart.




1. Drill 8-mm (5/16-in) plug weld holes in the service part as necessary in the locations noted from the original panel.
2. Prepare all mating surfaces for welding as necessary.




3. Apply GM-approved Weld-Thru Coating or equivalent to all mating surfaces. Refer to Anti-Corrosion Treatment and Repair.




4. Position the rear window reinforcement and clamp in place.
5. Plug weld accordingly.
6. Clean and prepare all of the welded surfaces.
7. Install all of the related panels and components.
8. Apply the sealers and anti-corrosion materials to the repair area, as necessary. Refer to Anti-Corrosion Treatment and Repair.
9. Paint the repaired area.
10. Connect the negative battery cable.
11. Enable the SIR system. Refer to SIR Disabling and Enabling in SIR.