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Just recarpeted my 75 convertible. The kick plates were never right when I bought it. Still could not get them right after removing them to finish new carpet. Tried a rubber mallet on it but seems to be maybe a 1/2 inch off. Any suggestions to get these things to fit correctly?
If it is like most modern carpet automotive wise, use a heat gun gingerly and work slowly and I think you'll have better luck ! I did on my 79 way back , but you can get to stay down.
I've tried trimming the forward edge, well, basically I've tried everything. Gone through 3 right hand kick panels trying different things. Gave up. Mine look just like yours! If someone has an answer, well, I'll be watching!
If you end up needing to trim the sill plate, make sure you line up the screw holes first so you know which end to trim. If you trim the wrong end, the holes in the plate and body will be mis-aligned. I'm guessing the front end is the one to cut.
You want to make sure that you don't have any jute or sound deadening under the carpet in the area or you will not get it to fit. Even with the carpet by itself it is a very tight fit and not a fun job.
Trying to find the screw hole is a task in itself. Mine is a 69 but the basic idea is the same as they really didn't change much in this area. With enough finesse you can get it to fit reasonably well.
No, I can't get either side to fit properly under the sill plate with no carpet. And the screw hole be damned. Without any thought to ever get that one single screw back in that does nothing anyway. I can NEVER get the kick panels to fit under the sill plates, I've trimmed the forward edge, I've trimmed the rear edge that wraps around to the outer side, I've tried bloody everything. Including no carpet whatsoever. I would need to shorten the sill plate by about 3/4 inch for a proper fit is the ONLY conclusion I have come up with. And yes I've destroyed at least 5 kick panels trying! 3 rights, 2 lefts. THEY DO NOT FIT!
I put both sound insulation and foil heat barrier down when I recarpeted my 75. No chance mine were going to fit. I just did the best I could. I don’t notice because I haven’t looked down there since I finished! 😋
I don't know what GM was thinking when they designed these pieces and the mounting of it. You have to be a contortionist to get it in place. Even with the seats out it is almost impossible to get it in place.
With the dash panel out, I was able to get mine to eventually fit close without trimming any of it, although I did fill the stupid holes and then drilled new ones where I could make it look reasonable.
When you're lying on the floor trying to get that screw started you learn a new vocabulary. I eventually had to paint a white circle around the hole so that I could see when I was close to alignment.
Imagine what the assembly line installers must have thought about them.
You don’t mention if your car has AC, but there is a door on the passenger side kick panel. My 73 convertible has AC and with new carpet, my kick panel fits great (no sound proofing added). If you purchase the restoration kick panels you will find them pliable and easily bendable. By the way, I have never been able to get the screw inserted it’s mounting hole. The kick panel is very tight and there so there is no chance it’s going anywhere.
Kick Plates
