Installing Pillar on C3/'76
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Installing Pillar on C3/'76
I can not get the trim pillars to fit well.
Just ordered and received two new trim pillars, old ones were beat. When attempting to install the driver-side one, the top left corner hangs down off the metal and the metal seems to bend up. It is uniformally bent up so, I do not believe it was bent accidently.
The pillars fit fine all the way up from the dash until the top-outside of the pillar. It does not hold tight against the metal and hangs a bit? any recommendations to get it to hold tight and look stock?
Appreciate any advice!
Just ordered and received two new trim pillars, old ones were beat. When attempting to install the driver-side one, the top left corner hangs down off the metal and the metal seems to bend up. It is uniformally bent up so, I do not believe it was bent accidently.
The pillars fit fine all the way up from the dash until the top-outside of the pillar. It does not hold tight against the metal and hangs a bit? any recommendations to get it to hold tight and look stock?
Appreciate any advice!
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
You'd almost get a better fit from finding good used ones from Ebay.
Now, since that may not be a good option, maybe try moling it a little. Get a roll of painter's masking tape, high level of adhesion. Tape and secure the bottom and work your way up until the fit shifts and it doesn't look right. The trim panel is a molded plastic right? Well plastic gets soft and pliable at high temps. Use a hair drier to warm the panel and see if you can mold it better to the pillar's shape. If it cooperates, heat it up good, until you can form it by hand, and wrap tape around it to hold it in position or until it cools.
Once it is formed better, I would suggest some glue or silicon behind it to keep it firm with the pillar.
Now, since that may not be a good option, maybe try moling it a little. Get a roll of painter's masking tape, high level of adhesion. Tape and secure the bottom and work your way up until the fit shifts and it doesn't look right. The trim panel is a molded plastic right? Well plastic gets soft and pliable at high temps. Use a hair drier to warm the panel and see if you can mold it better to the pillar's shape. If it cooperates, heat it up good, until you can form it by hand, and wrap tape around it to hold it in position or until it cools.
Once it is formed better, I would suggest some glue or silicon behind it to keep it firm with the pillar.
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,629
Likes: 4
From: Somers CT
I went thru the same thing with mine, as TT said the aftermarket ones don't fit well. I had to remove the foam from the inside in various places with a razor blade until I was satisfied with the fit. It's just a tedious process, remove a little and check the fit, see where it need relief then take out some more. I would be careful with the heat gun until you get them to fit pretty good, if there's interference forcing them on will only result in them coming off as time goes on. I was able to get mine to fit nicely without the heat.
Good luck...Bill
Good luck...Bill
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Originally Posted by goez211
Thanks TG - Did you use an adhesive? Is so, do you guys recommend spray or silocone?
3M - Hi-Strength - 90 - Spray Adhesive. You can get it at most Ace / Westlakes if you have one of those.
It'll hold an elephant upside down from your ceiling.
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Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Originally Posted by goez211
Sh*t,
That is what I should have used for the Rhino in the Living Room.
So much for scotch tape. Too much scotch, not enough tape.
Thanks!
That is what I should have used for the Rhino in the Living Room.
So much for scotch tape. Too much scotch, not enough tape.
Thanks!
C'mon Noob, Rhinos go in the truck bed. Cows go in the living room. Jeez...do I have to draw it out in crayon?
