BMW X3 Service & Repair Manual: Replacing A-pillar with reinforcement on left

BMW X3 Service & Repair Manual / Body and Frame / Side frame and door pillars / Replacing A-pillar with reinforcement on left

Procedure OBSERVE repair stage 3! Read contents of BODY, GENERAL.

Spot-weld bonding is used on this vehicle. Observe specific PROCEDURE.

Use only approved SPOT-WELDING APPARATUS for repairs.

Place vehicle on straightening bench.

Following new body parts are required :

  • (1) A-pillar with entrance
  • (2) Middle side frame
  • (3) Carrier support, outer wheel arch section
  • Shaped part A-pillar, top, outer
  • Shaped part A-pillar, bottom, outer

Body+and+Frame

Following CONSUMABLES are required:

Body+and+Frame

Removal: Mark severance cut in accordance with dimension and cut.

IMPORTANT: Cut outer panel only.

Dimension a = approx. 120 mm from hole Ø 6 mm.

LOOSEN spot-welded adhesive joints in area (1).

Open welded connections in area (2).

Remove partial section of carrier support.

Body+and+Frame

Mark severance cuts in accordance with specified dimensions and cut.

IMPORTANT: Cut outer panel only for following severance cuts.

Dimension a = approx. 420 mm in front of hole Ø 20 mm.
Dimension b = approx. 450 mm from roof edge.

Body+and+Frame

Open welded connections in areas (1).

Open spot-welded adhesive joints in area (2) Release A-pillar outer skin from cavity sealing (3) and remove.

Mark severance cut (1) as pictured and cut.

IMPORTANT: Cut outer panel only.

Open welded connections in area (2).

Body+and+Frame

Open welded connections in area (1).

Remove reinforcement (2).

Body+and+Frame

View of passenger compartment.

Open welded connections (1).

Open bonded connection in area (2).

Body+and+Frame

Open weld joint in area (1).

Body+and+Frame

Roughly mark severance cut (1) as pictured and cut.

Remove metal section (2).

Body+and+Frame

Open welded connections (1).

NOTE: The welded connections are replaced by bonded rivet connections.

Loosen welded connections using BELT SANDER.

Body+and+Frame

Body+and+Frame

Open welded connections in areas (1).

Release A-pillar from cavity sealing (2) and remove.

Release welded connections in areas (1) and (2) and remove reinforcement (3).

NOTE: Welded connections in the area (1) are replaced by bonded rivet connections.

Body+and+Frame

Preparation of new part:

Mark severance cuts on new parts in accordance with severance cuts on vehicle and cut.

Prepare REINFORCEMENT PLATES at severance cuts.

Detach welded connections.

Remove reinforcement (1) and side member attachment (2).

NOTE: The reinforcement (1) is used for installation.

Body+and+Frame

Detach welded connections (1) and take off reinforcement (2).

NOTE: The reinforcement must be installed as a separate component for access reasons.

Mark further severance cuts in accordance with vehicle and cut.

Body+and+Frame

Fit reinforcement (3) in combination with A-pillar reinforcement.

Drill three Ø 6.8 mm bore holes for bonded rivet connections in the designated area (1).

Prepare new part in areas (2) for plug/spot welding.

Body+and+Frame

Adjust and secure A-pillar and reinforcement with alignment bracket or universal fixture.

In areas (1), introduce 2 holes of Ø 6.8 mm for adhesive rivet connection.

For drilling the holes, use TWIST DRILL 6.8 X 156 mm.

NOTE: When adjusting the new part for the A-pillar reinforcement, the panel thickness of the missing A-pillar outer skin must be taken into consideration depending on straightening system manufacturer.

Body+and+Frame

Remove new parts and deburr bore holes.

IMPORTANT: Structure bonding! OBSERVE preparation of bonding surfaces.

Installation: Clean bonding surfaces with cleaning agent R1.

Apply adhesive to bonding surfaces.

Install reinforcement (3).

Rivet new part in designated area (1) using N1 blind rivets and plug-weld in designated areas (2).

IMPORTANT: Risk of damage! Avoid applying too much heat to adjacent adhesive area (1).

Body+and+Frame

Body+and+Frame

Clean bonding surfaces with cleaning agent R1.

Apply adhesive K1 to bonding surfaces.

Apply sealant to cavity sealing .

Install and secure new reinforcement part for A-pillar and reinforcement plates with alignment bracket or universal fixture.

Weld new part in the areas (2).

NOTE: When installing the new part for the A-pillar reinforcement, the panel thickness of the missing A-pillar outer skin must be taken into consideration depending on straightening system manufacturer.

Weld new part in the areas (1).

Body+and+Frame

In designated areas (1), rivet new part with N1 blind rivets.

NOTE: Use RIVET HEAD EXTENSION for this process.

Body+and+Frame

Weld new part in the areas (1).

Body+and+Frame

Install reinforcement (2) and weld in designated area (1).

Body+and+Frame

Install carrier support section and weld in designated area (1).

Body+and+Frame

    Replace B-pillar, outer left
    Procedure OBSERVE repair stage 3! Read contents of BODY, GENERAL. Use only an approved SPOT-WELDING APPARATUS for repairs! Following new body par ...

    Replacing A-pillar with reinforcement on the left (with side member attachment)
    Procedure OBSERVE repair stage 3! Read contents of BODY, GENERAL. Spot-weld bonding is used on this vehicle. Observe specific PROCEDURE. Use on ...

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