File in Section:
Bulletin No.:

Service Bulletin

Date:

18-NA-288
September, 2018

TECHNICAL
Subject:

Rocker Panel Molding Gap at Rear

Brand:

Model:

Buick

Regal GS

Model Year:

VIN:

from

to

2018

2019

Involved Region or Country

from

Engine:

Transmission:

All

All

to

North America and N.A. Export Regions

Condition

5147445

Some customer may comment on seeing the rocker panel molding gapping to body at the
rear wheel opening, on one or both sides of the vehicle.
Cause

The cause of the condition may be due to thermal expansion and contraction. The
adhesive tape retaining the molding is stretching and pulling away from the body.

Correction

Re-secure BOTH the left and right side rocker moldings, following the Service Procedure
below.

Copyright 2018 General Motors LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Page 2

September, 2018

Bulletin No.: 18-NA-288

Service Procedure

5147447

1. Starting on either side, remove the rear bolt (1)
from the rocker panel molding.

5147450

2. Pull the molding away from the body enough to
access the inboard slider retaining clip (1) and
outer rocker panel.
3. Remove the adhesive tape from the slider retaining
clip and clean off any tape adhesive residue from
the clip/body.

Bulletin No.: 18-NA-288

September, 2018

5147454

4. Using sand paper or an abrasive pad, scuff up the
backside of the slider clip AND the painted mating
surface on the rocker panel.

5147456

5. Apply 3M Single Step Primer P/N 08681*, or
equivalent, to BOTH the slider clip AND the rocker
panel. Let dry per manufacturers cure time
recommendation.

Page 3

5147457

6. Apply 3M Windo-weld Super Fast Urethane P/N
08609*, or equivalent, to the primed slider clip.

Page 4

September, 2018

Bulletin No.: 18-NA-288

5147458

7. Firmly press the rocker molding to the rocker panel
and secure with several pieces of tape.

5147462

5147460

8. Using paint sticks, or other suitable material, and a
clamp, follow steps similar to those below to
increase the pressure holding the molding in place
while curing for 24 hours.

8.1. Slightly open the rear door, then close the
door one click short of full door closure, onto a
piece of a paint stick. Loosely install the
clamp at the rear wheel opening.

Bulletin No.: 18-NA-288

September, 2018

Page 5

11. Reinstall the rear bolts (1) to both rocker moldings.

Tighten
Tighten the bolts to 2.5 Y (22 lb in).

Parts Information
Contact 3M at 1 (888) 364-3577, on online at
www.3m.com.
*We believe this source and their products to be
reliable. There may be additional manufacturers of
such products/materials. General Motors does not
endorse, indicate any preference for, or assume any
responsibility for the products or material from this firm
or for any such items that may be available from other
sources.
Causal
Part

Description

Part Number

N/A

3M Single
Step Primer

08682 (30 ml.)

$19.25 (U.S.)
$25.01
(Canada)

N/A

3M Windoweld Super
Fast
Urethane

08609 (10.5
oz.)*

$7.65 (U.S.)
$9.94
(Canada)

5147463

8.2. Add another piece of a paint stick under the
previous piece, and fully tighten the clamp.
Let the urethane cure in this clamped position
for 24 hours.
9. Repeat steps 1 – 8.2 on the opposite side.
10. Remove the clamps, sticks and tape on both sides.

Material
Allowance

*Due to a longer shelf life, this material can be retained and
used for approximately 3 vehicle repairs. Store the
remaining material for future use.

Warranty Information
For vehicles repaired under the Bumper-to-Bumper
coverage (Canada Base Warranty coverage), use the
following labor operation. Reference the Applicable
Warranties section of Investigate Vehicle History (IVH)
for coverage information.
Labor
Operation

Description

Labor Time

1082008*

Re-secure Left and Right
Rocker Panel Moldings

1.5 hrs

*This is a unique Labor Operation for Bulletin use only.

5147447

Version

1

Modified

Released September 21, 2018

GM bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, NOT a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform these
technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper
service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions, and know-how to do a
job properly and safely. If a condition is described, DO NOT assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your
vehicle will have that condition. See your GM dealer for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the
information.

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