Moderators feel free to move this, not sure what area it belongs. But I have a spot of rust I need to address. As you can see it's partially under the vinyl. I want to lift just that little area to inspect and tougt up without having to pull the whole system out. How do I remove the metal molding so I can pull up vinyl and get to inspecting?
Open the deck lid and and look at the the rear edge in the hinge area. IIRC, there is one stud with a nut in that area and I think that the rest just has plastic (or metal) clips that the trim can be carefully removed from by slightly twisting while gently prying the trim up.
I found that nut. I removed it and it budges a tad. But I think there is more that are holding that peice in place. I looked all the way into the trunk and cant find anymore. I'm beginning to think that something is holding it in from inside. Can anyone confirm if I need to removing any interior panels or trim to gain access to anything that its screwed into in the back seating area of the car? Otherwise, i'm thinking I'll just remove some interior panels. I want to be sure. Parts are scarce and I need to preserve the parts I have since this car will eventually get a new vinyl top in the future.
Bear in mind that plastics work harden and become brittle. I would work very carefully or try to locate some new clips first.
I have that in mind. Right now I just want to make sure I'm dealing with just clips and not any nuts and bolts which it appears I am dealing with. I'll get the interior torn apart a bit and hopefully see more fasteners
(sorry to jump on your question) ...a damn bolt... I've been wiggling that last piece for months...never considered a bolt...
I would try to locate a similar car in the junk yard to experiment on before proceeding or find an assembly manual for your car that has illustrations for the task at hand.
Ok... Very pissed right now. Need to step away from the car tonight. I removed interior to see other side of body panel. No fasteners! What am I missing here??? Is this glued on???
Many cars used the weld-on studs to locate the plastic trim clips; Usually the 60's early 70's cars had at least one bolt in clip, usually in the corner. Most of the clip-on style moldings can be removed by GENTLY pushing down to release the lover catch on the clip. These clips are VERY brittle. Try AUVECO for trim and molding clips. Unfortunately they have minimum orders. Try a local trim shop.
Sir, I think that did it! THANK YOU!!! I broke a few clips, but some surfing on Ebay turned up all the broken clips and fasteners I needed..all US sourced.
Finally off, no broken clips and moulding is intact and reusable. I did have to cut the lace, but I can order it or repair the old one. I got a little spot to fix, not as bad as it could be.
""Finally off, no broken clips and moulding is intact and reusable. I did have to cut the lace, but I can order it or repair the old one. I got a little spot to fix, not as bad as it could be."" Wait until you pick up the edge of the vinyl... THEN say that...
Nothing is breaking except for a few clips. The lace is intact and we were able to wash it and towel dry it without incident. The car sat for over 35 years in a garage, so most items are really in good condition. Today the front end comes off to replace control arm bushings and coil springs. There's some minor body work that will occur after we get it back on the ground. Once we get a good rain to clear the salt off roads, I can get it to paint.
Funny thing is, is that the style of trim to which I was referring: EVERYTHING would have come off from the trim clips; the trim clips mounted onto the little studs that were spot-welded onto the body, the little clips slip onto the stud (Like they are inside the moulding in your picture in post#11, the right picture) and the entire moulding (metal and vinyl as an assembly) would 'clip' over the little plastc clip. Glad that it actually worked though...
I found some trim clips on Ebay in advance or replacing my vinyl top on a 72 GS. Turns out the original clips were in great shape and I didn't need the replacements, if you need them I'll send them to you for $18.
heres some pics of molding area. Its the studs that are welded in plus two clip bolts that drop into the trunk with seal nut on other side. They all slid off very nicely. You can see in the pic, its the vinyl belt molding that lays down, the metal clips lock into place on the studs and then the metal molding slides onto it.
