03/07/2024 16:03:20

Hinge Pillar Assembly

Repair Information

The instructions in this procedure allow you to replace either the whole Hinge Pillar Assembly or either the upper section or the lower section of the Hinge Pillar Assembly.
Review all collision repair general practices and safety documentation and wear the appropriate PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) before beginning this procedure.
Properly mount the vehicle on a frame bench when performing this procedure.

Parts List


Quantity	Description	Image / Notes
1	HINGE PILLAR ASSEMBLY (Hinge Pillar Assembly)
2	Structural Flange Rivet
3	Structural Rivet, 6.5 mm Medium
5	Flow Form Rivet S38
1	Flow Form Rivet S48
2	Flow Form Rivet S58

When ordering parts, refer to the Parts Catalog and enter the VIN of the vehicle being repaired to find the correct parts (and the part numbers) for the vehicle. Alternatively, use the search function in the Parts Catalog to find a specific part for the vehicle.

Hinge Pillar Section Description

Table 1.
Hinge Pillar Sectioning
The Hinge Pillar Assembly (shown below) is a single component, and can be replaced as a single repair:

Alternatively, instead of replacing the complete Hinge Pillar Assembly, the lower section of the Hinge Pillar Assembly can be replaced using a portion of the Hinge Pillar Assembly service part using the cut lines described in this document.

Hinge Pillar Assembly Upper section	Hinge Pillar Assembly Lower section


Hinge Pillar Assembly Section Information
Cut Line Reference Line/Point A = 30 mm. B = 372 mm. Note See Step 4 for more information about preparing the replacement section. Create and install a backing plate as indicated. or Aluminum Plug Welds GMA Weld

Repair Procedure

Remove the necessary portion of the Body Side Outer to expose the underlying component being replaced.
Remove the Shotgun Outer Assembly.

Note
If repairing only the lower section of the Hinge Pillar Assembly, do not remove the Shotgun Outer Assembly.
Remove the original component.

or Factory Spot Welds

or Factory SPRs

or Factory Structural Rivets
If present, remove the Fender Bracket and the flange from the new Hinge Pillar Assembly service part as indicated below.

or Factory Spot Welds

Cut Line
Prepare for installation.
or Structural Flange Rivets, 6.5 mm
or Structural Rivets, 6.5 mm Medium
- A = 34 mm.
- B = 30 mm.
or Flow Form Rivets, S38

or Flow Form Rivets, S48

or Flow Form Rivets, S58

GMA Weld
Apply structural adhesive to the mating surfaces on the vehicle and the new component or components.
Install the new component or components.
Perform GMA welding.

GMA Weld

Note
If replacing a section of the Hinge Pillar Assembly: GMA weld the butt joint between the sections and the aluminum plug welds.

or Aluminum Plug Welds

Warning
Failure to follow all welding safety precautions, including the use of personal protective equipment, could result in serious injury or property damage. Only technicians who have completed Tesla’s approved welding training are authorized to weld structural components on Tesla vehicles.

Warning
To maintain vehicle crash integrity, use only approved welding wire and an approved GMA welder to perform GMA welding on Tesla vehicles. Refer to Approved Gas Metal Arc (GMA) Welders and Welding Wire for information on approved GMA welders and welding wire.

CAUTION
Do not weld on a Tesla vehicle before performing the Vehicle Electrical Isolation Procedure (refer to the vehicle-specific Service Manual for more information on the Vehicle Electrical Isolation Procedure). Welding on a Tesla vehicle with an energized high or low voltage system might damage vehicle components.

Note
Before GMA welding, a test weld using material of the same gauge and type should be performed to make sure that the welding equipment settings produce a satisfactory joint.
Install the Shotgun Outer Assembly.
Install the portion of the Body Side Outer that was removed to expose the component being replaced.
Perform any necessary post-repair operations.