help needed with rear trim
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 364
Likes: 0
From: Flower Mound TX
help needed with rear trim
I have been making good progress without too major of hiccups, BUT...
I put in the carpet yesterday so today I started the rear trim right behind the driver seat.
I cannot seem to get the trim aligned to the edge of the pillar and the weather stripping. Also the metal trim that attaches to the inside trim is a pain in the a$$, in particular the curved piece at the top.
the trim and metal are after market. I had to adjust the angled slots some, but not much since the spacing of the screw holes was not exactly as it use to be.
The curved trim has a wavy side which will not follow the curve of the car.
Can I see pics of that area so I can see how the metal is aligned and would like to see the edge of the inside trim. Also any help, suggestions would be appreciated.
I put in the carpet yesterday so today I started the rear trim right behind the driver seat.
I cannot seem to get the trim aligned to the edge of the pillar and the weather stripping. Also the metal trim that attaches to the inside trim is a pain in the a$$, in particular the curved piece at the top.
the trim and metal are after market. I had to adjust the angled slots some, but not much since the spacing of the screw holes was not exactly as it use to be.
The curved trim has a wavy side which will not follow the curve of the car.
Can I see pics of that area so I can see how the metal is aligned and would like to see the edge of the inside trim. Also any help, suggestions would be appreciated.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 364
Likes: 0
From: Flower Mound TX
72
I need to see the metal trim that is below the weather stripping, where the door latches, and how the trim aligns on the edge (at the edge of the door window and right behind the seat).
basically a pic of the rear quarter panel and rear quarter panel retainer
I need to see the metal trim that is below the weather stripping, where the door latches, and how the trim aligns on the edge (at the edge of the door window and right behind the seat).
basically a pic of the rear quarter panel and rear quarter panel retainer
Last edited by efather; Jan 3, 2014 at 06:05 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,420
Likes: 1,555
From: mount holly NC
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
The metal pieces go on the outside.
#1 the inside trim has the nuts molded in to it.
It lines up with the slots in the fiberglass body.
8 & 9 attach from the outside and hold everything in place.
The screws are 6 X 32 by 1/2 or 3/8.
#8 goes on first and make sure the metal trim piece with the 3 holes line up with the inside trim piece first as some replacements are made with the center hole was off.
#1 the inside trim has the nuts molded in to it.
It lines up with the slots in the fiberglass body.
8 & 9 attach from the outside and hold everything in place.
The screws are 6 X 32 by 1/2 or 3/8.
#8 goes on first and make sure the metal trim piece with the 3 holes line up with the inside trim piece first as some replacements are made with the center hole was off.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 364
Likes: 0
From: Flower Mound TX
Petes72
do you have a pic of the fit of the trim to the right/left of the weather strip right above the pics you posted? I am trying to see what the gap line looks like, that is the part the seams to be throwing me off.
#8 seems to push the inside trim away from the bottom of the weather strip, and it is tighter at the top of that weather strip.
btw , looks like you had the same color scheme my 72 had originally. it is now blue (not white) and dark saddle.
do you have a pic of the fit of the trim to the right/left of the weather strip right above the pics you posted? I am trying to see what the gap line looks like, that is the part the seams to be throwing me off.
#8 seems to push the inside trim away from the bottom of the weather strip, and it is tighter at the top of that weather strip.
btw , looks like you had the same color scheme my 72 had originally. it is now blue (not white) and dark saddle.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 766
Likes: 97
From: Lake Norman, NC
FWIW, I have had my 1/4 trim retainers off and on numerous times. In my opinion, the screws are too short, which causes much difficulty in getting them to engage in the nutserts molded into the retainer when installing in place.
I have had greater success when pre-assembling the retainers to the 1/4 trim itself, leaving the screws as loose as possible, then sliding the assembly into place. Once I have the trim and the retainer pieces straddling fiberglass body section, I hold in position with one hand while tightening with my other 3 hands
. Actually, I sometimes get help from my wife, having her hold the pieces in place while I tighten the screws.
Hope this helps.
I have had greater success when pre-assembling the retainers to the 1/4 trim itself, leaving the screws as loose as possible, then sliding the assembly into place. Once I have the trim and the retainer pieces straddling fiberglass body section, I hold in position with one hand while tightening with my other 3 hands
. Actually, I sometimes get help from my wife, having her hold the pieces in place while I tighten the screws. Hope this helps.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 364
Likes: 0
From: Flower Mound TX
I have been able to get them on and did it similarly, but the gap seemed too wide at the weather stripping, It was nice at the top and widened at the bottom of the weather strip.
Down the length of the panel, the gap looked ok next to the long retaining strip. I hade to widen the middle slot for the long retainer for that to line up so I could screw it. the top eyelet just seems to be too far from the edge and as such I cant push that part in any further.
Down the length of the panel, the gap looked ok next to the long retaining strip. I hade to widen the middle slot for the long retainer for that to line up so I could screw it. the top eyelet just seems to be too far from the edge and as such I cant push that part in any further.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
You may have to bend those aftermarket pieces some to minimize the gaps....prior to inserting the screws. There should not be much stress on those screws after installation. Otherwise, over time, the inserts will just pull out.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,202
Likes: 4,287
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi ef,
In your first post you asked about the 'wave' in the top piece... it's really doesn't match the shape of the lock pillar fiberglass.
Here's a couple of pictures that may help you with fitting yours.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
In your first post you asked about the 'wave' in the top piece... it's really doesn't match the shape of the lock pillar fiberglass.
Here's a couple of pictures that may help you with fitting yours.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 364
Likes: 0
From: Flower Mound TX
thanks alan, I see even at the bottom of your weather stip it is a small gap to the edge of the trim.
Here are pics of mine which shows my issue.
Notice the trim aligns pretty nicely (this is of course without the curved piece)
The last pic shows the issue, the screw "hole" in the interior quarter panel, sits way at the back of that groove. I even lengthened it to get it to even show. The curved retainer will not align with that hole, even when I "modified" the curved piece.
Here are pics of mine which shows my issue.
Notice the trim aligns pretty nicely (this is of course without the curved piece)
The last pic shows the issue, the screw "hole" in the interior quarter panel, sits way at the back of that groove. I even lengthened it to get it to even show. The curved retainer will not align with that hole, even when I "modified" the curved piece.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 364
Likes: 0
From: Flower Mound TX
they all are laying in there so I don't step on it. the is not the one I am trying to fit 
good eye, didn't even tee that in the back ground.
the screw hole is right about the back of the door pillar no way the retainer screw hole will line up.
good eye, didn't even tee that in the back ground.the screw hole is right about the back of the door pillar no way the retainer screw hole will line up.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,057
Likes: 421
From: BC
Install the curved top piece first but don't tighten it down. Then install the long piece. Tighten the two bottom screws, then tighten the screw on the short piece. Then install the second screw that holds the top of the long piece over the short one and tighten it. Four screws total and you should be good to go Also, the threaded plugs sometimes pull out of the trim so use two part epoxy to re-set it and a small thin washer set in the epoxy between the inside trim piece and the body so it won't pull through again.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 364
Likes: 0
From: Flower Mound TX
I decided to add an eyelet to the inside trim piece that the curved retainer will screw into.
After getting the fit I needed with the interior trim in place with the long retainer locked down. The original screw point in the trim piece was way way too far back and sitting above the edge of the pillar which means the curved retainer would not be able to be screwed into it.
I placed the curved retainer in, marked where the alignment should be, then added an eyelet where it should be. I too and cut an eyelet mount out of the old broken trim piece, ground it to fit and epoxied it where it should go. it will be ready to try this afternoon. It should be a nice fit.
After getting the fit I needed with the interior trim in place with the long retainer locked down. The original screw point in the trim piece was way way too far back and sitting above the edge of the pillar which means the curved retainer would not be able to be screwed into it.
I placed the curved retainer in, marked where the alignment should be, then added an eyelet where it should be. I too and cut an eyelet mount out of the old broken trim piece, ground it to fit and epoxied it where it should go. it will be ready to try this afternoon. It should be a nice fit.
Last edited by efather; Jan 5, 2014 at 08:41 AM. Reason: pic added
Pro
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 730
Likes: 37
From: Catoosa Okla
Ingenuity is indeed the mother of invention! I dig reading how people overcome problems. It's the passion that can only be described as being "in the blood" that drives us forward, eagerly anticipating the next challenge our Corvette ladies bring to the table, which undoubtedly WILL happen. And since it's my first Vette and I'm only at the gutted interior stage, I presume there is still a bag full of "what do I do now's" waiting for me before my project gets anywhere near completed...
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 364
Likes: 0
From: Flower Mound TX
it is fun figuring it out, and hoping the solution works, I will find that out later today, and still not sure if the passenger side will fight me also.
I do wish OFTEN that there was more room to work inside the car. My next build will be a BIG A** Muscle Car lol
I do wish OFTEN that there was more room to work inside the car. My next build will be a BIG A** Muscle Car
lol
Racer
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 364
Likes: 39
From: Sebastian FL
Interior trim
Thanks for starting the post and all the replies. It is helping me with my 72 BB restoration.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 364
Likes: 0
From: Flower Mound TX
Got it done finally. Before I moved the eylet, I measured it. So today I decided to measure the location of the eyelet on the passenger side panel. that one looks like it is much better aligned than the driver side. AND it was 1/4 (maybe a lil shy) closer to the edge of the trim piece. so the position of that driver eyelet was the issue, not the retainer (I still think the shape is wrong but I am not the designer of that part)
final driver pics (fixed)
final driver pics (fixed)