Ok, I am stuck. New carpets looks good, but i can't figure out how to replace the carpet on the rear compartment doors. It doesn't look like there is a frame around the lid section. Is this just a glue and trim job? I was expecting to remove each lid from the main frame and then remove another frame around the lid itself.

Right now it ain't happening for me. Any pointers?

I appreciate any help.

 

There should be a slim trim ring around the edge of the carpet. They do get cracked up and broken over the years and you pretty much gotta destroy em to remove em to replace the carpet.
All the vendors sell the 3 piece trim kit that gets reattached to the doors with small screws.
Or you can replace the entire compartment doors assembly for about $160.
I've always done just the rings.

 

Thanks Kaps,
I was afraid of that. Bummer.
I wonder if I can get mine off. It looks like there are 2 plugs on each side of the frame, maybe if I drilled them out.......?????

 

You should be able to remove just the 3 doors. Like 2 screws on the center and 3 on the end doors.
You are saying the edges of the carpet show? Someone didn't just try putting carpet over the old? The doors have raw edges?

 

I can remove the doors from the main 3 compartment frame, no problem there. I then removed the finger pulls and the latch and bezels. The door itself looks like black plastic or fiberglass maybe. Each door has what looks like a frame that captures the carpet piece, no loose ends visible. It looks like the frame 'snaps' onto the door and is retained with little plugs that may be molded into the black part of the door. When I look at the edge of the door, I see dark brown frame (my car color) and two black plugs where I would expect to see screws if the frames were removable.

I tried prying on the frame and it seems like it's glued on pretty solid. I bet it will break when I try removing it. I went ahead and ordered the frames from Willcox ($36). Why fight it?

Sad thing is that the carpet is not torn or anything....just changed color on me. Started life dark brown and is now puke green. Weird huh? Previous owner kept the car in the garage since 1980 so it shouldn't be sun faded. Oh well, gave me an excuse to work on the car and install some reflectix under the new carpet. I was expecting to find a fiberglass floorboard but it was metal instead. I was confused at first, but it looks original so I guess that's ok. The rust proofing coating was dry and cracked, so I scrapped it off and exposed the bare metal and then coated it with POR-15.

I need to learn to stop 'fixing' things that aren't really broken and just drive the car. Is it possible that I have more fun fixing the darn thing?

 

Early C3 had fiberglass floorpans. Later years had metal.

 

They don't snap. Those are plastic rivets

Count on it.



Drill out the mounting points on the compartment doors. When the new frames arrive, paint to match and install with flat head screws.

 

Yep

 

Will do.
Thanks everyone. I removed the frames and it all makes sense now. Yes, the frames came off in pieces. Just as well I guess.....

Now I wait anxiously for Willcox to send me my new frames.........

I am sure I'll stay busy with something else until the parts arrive.

 

To remove the door frames and to re-install them you may want to clamp a board over the top of the frame in order to take the stress off of it. Put board over the frame and carpet side of the door; attach with some squeeze clamps to hold at corners; remove or drill out rivets; unclamp door and "do your thing" to repair it. To re-install, sandwich the board, frame, carpet and door; then start attaching the clamps at each corner. Work around the door to increase clamp pressure (a little at a time) until the carpet is compressed under the frame and the frame is installed far enough to screw/rivet it in final position. Then remove the clamps. You might also shave a little of the carpet pile off the new carpet where the frame will hide it. That will limit the amount of squeeze needed to compress it.

 

Just a few tips that I ran acrross that you may find useful:

I did this recently on my '82. My door frames didn't come with any screws so I got some very small sheet metal screws with a small diameter tapered head and they worked great. Must be a fairly flush fit or screws will rub on the sides of your compartment frame. I found that the new frames from Wilcox were slightly undersized for the door panels and would have likely cracked them if I tried to force them on so I took a belt sander to each edge of the door panels and ground off some material till they fit properly in the new frames. I also had to grind a little away on the door panel where that hook handle slips over cause the new frames wouldn't fit properly w/o doing that first. You can also add your own screw on the frame where the handle is to provide some support on that edge where there currently isn't a hole located and will help keep your frame from snapping there when lifting the handle. Also - anyone trying to remove that seat back carpet which is glued on w/some resilient stuff I found that Goof-Off works pretty well to brake it up if you apply several coats and let it sit for a while.

 

Thank you for the tips. I make use or your suggestions if my frames are undersized.

Thanks again!

 

Do you know what year the change happened?

 

The year of the cats 1975