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Adhesives are common in vehicle construction; the adhesives specified in the service procedure are not optional.
For a safe and proper repair, the exact adhesives called out in the Chevrolet Corvette C8 procedure MUST be used for each application. The Corvette C8 requires 3 different adhesives when replacing the rear impact bar.
The rear impact bar has two replacement procedures. One includes replacing the tub, and the other replaces only the impact bar. If only the impact bar is being replaced, the procedure requires 3 adhesives, and each specified adhesive must be used in the location identified in the service procedure to ensure a safe and proper repair. Ordering this part is restricted to GM CRN C8 Specialty Shops.
The materials are listed at the beginning of each procedure. The Rear Bumper Impact Bar Replacement (Without Tub Replacement) DOC ID: 5541003 procedure lists:
- Structural Adhesive: Aluminum Panel Bonding
- Sheet Molded Compound (SMC) Adhesive: Sheet Molded Compound (SMC) Panel Bonding
- Structural Carbon Fiber Adhesive Kit: Structural Carbon Fiber Description
The material list in the procedure includes links to lists of approved adhesives. The Structural Carbon Fiber Description link specifies a single, approved adhesive from a specific supplier. Per GM, that specific adhesive must be used exactly as called out in the procedure and must not be substituted.
Steps 7 through 9 of the procedure specify the 3 different adhesive applications:
- Apply structural adhesive (1) to mating surfaces... Aluminum Panel Bonding (see Figure 1)
- Apply special structural adhesive on mating surfaces (1)... Structural Carbon Fiber Description (see Figure 2)
- Apply a consistent bead of adhesive (1) to mating surfaces... Sheet Molded Compound (SMC) Panel Bonding (see Figure 3)
Images courtesy of General Motors
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Each step includes an image highlighting the application area for each specific adhesive and a link to the approved materials. Always refer to the vehicle-specific body repair manual before performing any repairs, and always use the exact adhesives specified in the GM service procedure to ensure a safe and proper repair.
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