Body/Frame - B-Pillar Cracking Noises
Date: December 4, 2008Order No.: P-B-63.20/06c
Supersedes: P-B-63.20/06b dated July 6, 2006
Group: 63
Revision History
SUBJECT:
Model 230.470/471/472/474/475/476/477/479
B Pillar Cracking Noise
If you receive customer reports in the above model vehicles of a cracking noise from the lower B pillar area, it is necessary to diagnose if the noise is coming from either the lower or upper area. If it is the lower area, an internal reinforcement may be positioned slightly too far forward making contact with the radius portion of the B pillar. The noise is generally only audible when driving on rough roads or over bumps and may also require warm outside temperatures and the engine at operating temperature. To resolve, perform the procedure in part A. If the noise is in the upper area, this may be caused by the main floor mounting structure touching the B-pillar. This noise can also sound like a tearing noise. To resolve, perform the procedure in part B.
A. Lower Area
1. Remove door sill molding and edge guard
2. Fasten clamping jaw for slide hammer on fold in radius between longitudinal member and the B pillar (Figure 1).
3. Using slide hammer, pull upwards (Figure 2)
4. Reposition clamping jaw to several points along the radius and repeat pulling upwards
5. Repair any damage to the paint to prevent corrosion, using primer touch up stick, A000 986 06 50.
6. Reinstall edge guard and door sill molding.
B. Upper Area
1. Remove paneling on top of center pillar. Refer to WIS Document AR68.30-P-1077R.
2. Remove retaining plate for power window from rear side window. Refer to WIS Document AR67.39-P- 4150-01R.
3. Remove plastic water deflector.
4. Using a chisel, increase the gap between the 2 sheet metal pieces to 4 to 5 mm (Figure 3).
5. Reinstall plastic water deflector.
6. Reinstall retaining plate for power window from rear side window. Refer to WIS Document AR67.39-P- 4150-01R.
7. Reinstall paneling on top of center pillar. Refer to WIS Document AR68.30-P-1077R.
NOTE:
The following allowable labor operations should be used when submitting a warranty claim for this repair. This information has been generated on December 4, 2008. Please refer to Netstar -> Star TekInfo -> Star Time for the most current labor time allowance.
In Case of Warranty
Operation: B-pillar - Cracking noise in radius to longitudinal member, repair (02-4331)
Interior trim panel at center pillar - top, R&R (68-1082)
B-pillar - noise at the main floor mounting, eliminate (68-0000)