Body - Laminated Steels Information/Repair/Replacement: Overview
Bulletin No.: 05-08-98-001Date: March 10, 2005
INFORMATION
Subject:
Laminated Steels - General Information and Specific Repair Procedures for Wheelhouse Replacement - Front, Extension Replacement Front Compartment Side Rail-Rear and Rail Replacement - Lower
Models:
2005 Buick LaCrosse
2005 Pontiac Grand Prix
Laminated steel consists of three layers of material: two layers of mild steel with a layer of "visco-elastic" material between them. This "sandwich" of material layers provides better sound absorbing properties than regular, non-laminated materials.
Laminated steel is being used on the above listed vehicles to enhance the acoustic performance of these vehicles. Currently, the front dash panel of these vehicles is made from laminated steel.
This material is very different than standard steel applications. Because of these differences, it requires different repair procedures to be used when replacing components that attach directly to the laminated steel surfaces. Those components are typically structural rails, front wheelhouse/shock towers and front body hinge pillar inner panels. Depending on the design and build of the vehicle, though, some of the components may not attach directly to the laminated steel surface. Components that do not attach directly to the laminated steel surface may be attached in the normal manner.
General Repairability Guidelines
^ MIG welding of this material is not recommended due to contamination of the weld from the "visco-elastic" layer.
^ Rivet/bonding of components that attach to laminated steel surfaces is recommended. This process uses a structural rivet combined with metal panel bonding adhesives currently recommended by GM that meet the performance requirements of GM 6449G (guidelines for adhesive manufacturers to develop metal panel bonding adhesives).
^ Resistance spot welding is recommended where the plier or jaw openings and reach of the tool will allow. Refer to the GM Dealer Equipment Catalog for current recommendations of resistance spot welding equipment or call 1-800-GMTOOLS.
^ Laminated steel can be straightened cold or with heat. If heat is required, temperatures should be controlled to less than 1,200 degrees and the duration of the heat should be kept to less than 3 minutes overall (it is preferable that this be done in multiple steps). Heating this material following these guidelines will not effect the acoustical performance of this material.
Refer to GM Service Information for the above-listed vehicles for specific procedures related to the components that attach to laminated steels. The procedure below has recently been added to SI. Additional procedures are currently being developed and Service Manual Update bulletins will be published to inform dealers of this new information.
Parts Information
Important:
These kits contain a panel or rail, an instruction sheet and rivets. The rivets and instruction sheet are common among the kits, but the panel or rail is specific to each kit.
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