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Quarter trim panel retainers

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Old Mar 13, 2013 | 10:17 AM
  #1  
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Default Quarter trim panel retainers

having issues removing the screws in the quarter trim panel retainers.
on my 69 and 70's.....
looks like there is an insert molded into the quarter trim when new.
the screw is locked in tight and cant remove...
my plan is to drill them out and replace with new threaded inserts...
Need to bead blast and paint the retainers themselves..
Has anyone found a good way to remove these screws?

thanks
Gary
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Old Mar 13, 2013 | 11:54 AM
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You would do better to lay the quarter panel trim down, squirt some PB Blaster on each frozen screw and then soak a wad of paper towel with Blaster and wrap it around each of those screws so that they stay 'wet'. Let them sit a day or so...add PB Blaster to that paper wad if it goes dry.

Those retainers are pressed into [or molded into] those panels. If you drill out the screws, those retainers will be damaged in the process. I have no idea where to get any similar retainers nor how to keep them attached properly after you've buggered the originals. You would likely have to ask "Bubba" for some help, in that case.

Give the rust penetrant time to do it's work, and you may not have to salvage anything.
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Old Mar 13, 2013 | 12:26 PM
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thanks you 7T1...
I see a lot of your posts....its great that forum members share hard earned knowledge here !

thats where I'm at now...soaking in PB Blaster since yesterday morning,
I'll try the soaked paper towel as well..

I did find some threaded inserts from Reid Tool.... I think the dissimilar metals issue between the insert and the screw is raising its head..

hoping to resolve this with new stainless inserts and stainless screws..
have been running into this problem for years, now I'm working on 5 different c3's so I'd like to come up with the correct fix for this ..not a bubba fix...



Gary
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Old Mar 13, 2013 | 01:19 PM
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Thanks Ed T
the fastenal part looks just like the Reid Supply part I ordered..
yes!!!

I knew I couldn't be the only having this problem!
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Old Mar 13, 2013 | 01:25 PM
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If it's the inserts that hold the screws from the trim pieces in the door jam you can buy repair inserts from most any vendor

http://willcoxcorvette.com/product_i...ducts_id=26949
They are knurled on the outside and you glue them in instead of the originals that I believe were molded in.

I had to make up a couple for mine that where stripped out.

HIH
Mooser

Last edited by Mooser; Mar 13, 2013 at 09:27 PM. Reason: Original inserts were molded in, outside looks like a tap but is just rings
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Old Mar 13, 2013 | 07:36 PM
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I think the originals were molded into the plastic quarter panels. I'm not sure how you remove the originals without damaging the part. Maybe just twist with high torque so they will chew away at the plastic which retains them.

Some JB Weld epoxy should hold new new inserts in place just fine. Just don't get any into the threads. You might want to put a small piece of rolled-up paper towel into the insert threads when you epoxy them in. When you remove the paper, it should also remove any excess epoxy in the area of the threads.

{But, I hope the rust penetrant does its job.}
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Old Mar 13, 2013 | 09:27 PM
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Originally Posted by 7T1vette
I think the originals were molded into the plastic quarter panels.
I believe you are 100% correct
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Old Mar 13, 2013 | 09:40 PM
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Funny, I just did mine yesterday on my 77. They are molded in the trim, had no luck removing the screws so the retainers had to come out. Once out, holding them with a vise grip the screws came out. I chased the threads and reglued them back into the trim. Years from now another owner will thank me for the anti seize.
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Old Mar 13, 2013 | 11:39 PM
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Wise move!
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Old Mar 14, 2013 | 03:12 PM
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hi, have new inserts on the way.
I did get the old ones out..
then I could get the screws out...
I'll chase the threads,then wait until the new parts arrive in a few days...

Now on to getting my drivers side sill plate screws out ;-/
passenger side all came right out..
NONE of the drivers side will budge..soaking in penentrant for the last two
days....wish me luck!
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Old Mar 14, 2013 | 03:27 PM
  #11  
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hi, have new inserts on the way.
I did get the old ones out..
then I could get the screws out...
I'll chase the threads,then wait until the new parts arrive in a few days...

Now on to getting my drivers side sill plate screws out ;-/
passenger side all came right out..
NONE of the drivers side will budge..soaking in penentrant for the last two
days....wish me luck!
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Old Mar 14, 2013 | 03:28 PM
  #12  
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Those are not as big a deal as the quarter panel trim. The sill screws just engage with holes drilled in the plate below them. If you break-off the screws trying to get them out, you can drill out the remainder of the screw, then insert a drywall screw plug OR fill the hole with JB Weld stick epoxy, then drill a new hole. It's the inserts in the quarter panel trim that get "sticky" with those screws.
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