Cadillac 2000 User Manual

2000 Cadillac DeVille

Outer Center Pillar Sectioning 1-4

Outer Front Pillar Sectioning 1-2

Quarter Panel Sectioning 1-6

Body Dimensions 1-17/18

Inner Center Pillar Sectioning 1-10

Inner Front Pillar Sectioning 1-9

Outer Wheelhouse Sectioning 1-12

Rear Rail Sectioning 1-13

Outer Front Pillar, Center Pillar
and Quarter Panel Sectioning

CAUTION: When performing service on or near the Supplemental
Inflatable Restraint (SIR) components or the SIR wiring, the SIR system
must be disabled. Failure to follow the correct procedure could cause air
bag deployment, personal injury or unnecessary SIR system repairs.

The full body side outer panel comes as a one-piece assembly and can be
replaced at factory seams after removal of glass and roof. Any one of these
procedures can be performed separately, or in any combination, dependent
upon the extent of damage to the vehicle. Sectioning must take place in
specified areas only (Fig. 1-1). Remove front glass when sectioning front pillar
and rear glass for rear pillar repair.

IMPORTANT: When replacing panels that involve servicing stationary
glass, refer to GM Service Bulletin 43-10-48 before performing any
priming or refinishing.

Fig.␣ 1-1 — 2000 DeVille Outer Frame Sectioning Locations

2000 cadillac deville 1-1

Outer Front Pillar
Sectioning

Removal Procedure

IMPORTANT: Sectioning should be performed
only in the recommended areas. Failure to do
so may compromise the structural integrity of
the vehicle.

1. Visually inspect and restore as much of the
damage as possible to factory specifications.

2. Remove the following:

• Fender

• Windshield

• Door

• Hinge pillar blocks

3. Determine sectioning locations. Section in
approved areas only (see Fig.␣ 1-1).

4. Mark locations and cut part through outer
panel only.

5. Locate factory welds and drill out, noting
number and locations of welds (Fig.␣ 1-2).

6. Locate and drill out spot welds on weather
strip retainer as necessary. It is not necessary
to remove complete retainer.

7. Remove outer panel.

8. Note placement and number of foam baffles
for new installation. If baffles are damaged,
replacement service parts are available.

IMPORTANT: Hinge pillar blocks must be
replaced if damaged.

9. Clean adhesive and sealer from hydroformed
reinforcement tube as necessary. Note
location for reinstallation.

Fig.␣ 1-2 — Drill Out Welds

100 MM (4 IN)

Service Part Preparation

1. Cut service part in corresponding locations to
fit original cut lines. Leave a gap of one-and­one half times the metal thickness of
sectioning joint.

2. Create 100␣ mm (4␣ in) backing plate on rocker
panel from unused portion of service part
(Fig.␣ 1-3).

3. In windshield pillar area, use the hydroformed
inner rail for backing plate.

4. Drill 8␣ mm (5/16␣ in) plug weld holes in service
part according to original locations as noted.
Drill plug weld holes spaced 40␣ mm (1-5/8␣ in)
apart along backing plate location 25␣ mm
(1␣ in) from joint edge.

1-2 2000 cadillac deville

GAP = ONE-AND-ONE-HALF TIMES
THE METAL THICKNESS

Fig.␣ 1-3 — Rocker Panel Backing Plate

Fig.␣ 1-4 — Plug Weld and Stitch Weld

Installation Procedure

IMPORTANT: Remove all foam prior to welding
this section of the service panel.

1. Prepare mating surfaces.

2. Apply weld-through primer to mating surfaces
prior to assembly.

3. Weld backing plates to vehicle at rocker.

IMPORTANT: Replace hinge pillar blocks
prior to welding outer panel.

4. Apply windshield bonding adhesive to the
hydroformed reinforcement as noted from
removal procedure.

5. Position service part on vehicle. Clamp in
place. Check for proper fit.

6. Plug weld accordingly (Fig. 1-4).

7. Stitch weld along both sectioning joints. Make
25␣ mm (1␣ in) welds along the seam with
25␣ mm (1␣ in) gaps between, then go back and
complete the stitch weld to ensure structural
integrity of the vehicle.

8. Install insulating foam as necessary in areas
noted from original baffle locations.

IMPORTANT: Prior to refinishing, refer to
the publication GM4901M-D-2000 “GM
Approved Refinish Materials” for
recommended products. Do not combine
paint systems. Refer to paint manufacturer’s
recommendations.

9. Refinish as necessary.

2000 cadillac deville 1-3

Outer Center Pillar

50 MM (2 IN)

GAP =
ONE-AND-ONE-HALF
TIMES THE MET AL
THICKNESS

Sectioning

Removal Procedure

IMPORTANT: Sectioning should be performed
only in the recommended areas. Failure to do so
may compromise the structural integrity of the
vehicle.

1. Locate an approved sectioning area in the
center pillar (Fig.␣ 1-5).

2. Mark and scribe a line. This is the cut location.

3. Cut Center Pillar at cut line. Use caution not to
cut inner reinforcement.

4. Create cut lines on rocker within approved
sectioning locations. Cut the rocker vertically
along cut lines.

5. Drill out factory welds. Note number and
location of welds.

6. Remove the damaged part.

7. Note placement and number of foam baffles
for new installation. If baffles are damaged,
replacement service parts are available.

IMPORTANT: Hinge pillar blocks must be
replaced if damaged.

Fig.␣ 1-5 — Outer Center Pillar – Sectioning

Locations

Preparation Of Service Part

1. On the service part, at center pillar mark a
horizontal line in corresponding locations
to original sectioning cut. Leave a gap of one­and-one-half times the thickness of the metal
at the sectioning joint (Fig. 1-6).

2. Mark vertical cut lines in rocker areas to
correspond with original section lines. Leave a
gap of one-and-one-half times the metal
thickness (see Fig. 1-3).

3. Cut the outer doorframe opening service part
along these three section lines.

4. Cut two 100␣ mm (4␣ in) pieces from the unused
portion of the service part for backing plates
in rocker.

5. Cut one 50␣ mm (2␣ in) backing plate for pillar
(Fig. 1-6). Remove the flange on each side of
the backing plates so that they will fit behind
the sectioning joint.

6. Drill 8␣ mm (5/16␣ in) plug weld holes in service
part according to original locations, as noted.
Drill plug weld holes spaced 40␣ mm (1-5/8␣ in)
apart along backing plate locations. Space
these holes 25␣ mm (1␣ in) from the joint edge
on the rocker panels and 13␣ mm (1/2␣ in) from
the joint edge on the pillar.

Fig.␣ 1-6 — Create Pillar Backing Plate

1-4 2000 cadillac deville

Fig.␣ 1-7 — Outer Center Pillar – Installation

Installation Procedure

1. Install sleeves on vehicle at rocker and center
pillar areas using plug welds.

2. Replace hinge blocks and bolts.

3. Prepare mating surfaces.

IMPORTANT: Prior to refinishing, refer to the
publication GM4901M-D-2000 “GM
Approved Refinish Materials” for
recommended products. Do not combine
paint systems. Refer to paint manufacturer’s
recommendations.

4. Apply weld-through primer to mating
surfaces prior to assembly.

5. Align part and clamp in place. Check fit
(Fig. 1-7).

6. Spot blast plug weld areas.

7. Plug weld as necessary in original spot weld
locations and at backing plates.

8. Stitch weld at section joints, one inch on and
one inch off, as necessary, then go back and
complete the stitch weld. This will create a
solid joint with minimal heat distortion.

9. Dress welds and finish seams as necessary.

10. Refinish as necessary.

2000 cadillac deville 1-5