How do you remove the A Pillar plastic trim?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,326
Likes: 18
From: Los Angeles California
How do you remove the A Pillar plastic trim?
I'm trying to remove the plastic trim that runs up the A-Pillar on each side. All three screws are out but it's not budging on either side; it's in there tight as heck. I need to get it off for better access for tucking in the weatherstrip into the retainer. How do you get this off?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,326
Likes: 18
From: Los Angeles California
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 10,691
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From: Phoenix Arizona
I usually am able to tuck it in with the plastiic trim in place. 86pacer is right about the top piece, and on 90 ups, the side piece can stick to the dash requiring it to be manipulated top out first.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,326
Likes: 18
From: Los Angeles California
How would one manipulate it out top first? The most I can do is bend the plastic until it pops over the metal lip at the very top corner of the pillar, but it's still stuck after that. Bending the top part any farther will probably break it, I think.
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Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 10,691
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From: Phoenix Arizona
They might have had some adheasive migrated under them from a previous windshield replacemnt. You should be able to get to the weatherstrip chanel without removing them. Use the adhesive sparingly, a thin stripe is all that's normally needed.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,326
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From: Los Angeles California
It's not getting to the retainer that I'm worried about, so much as getting the weatherstrip to squish in there at the correct angle. It keeps coming unseated at the angle that plastic piece forces me to take.
All the other retainers in the car hold their weatherstrip in very tight and firmly sealed, and I haven't had one place where I've remotely needed weatherstrip adhesive; I'm convinced it should be the same way for this retainer, if I can just get the stripping angled properly to seat in it.
All the other retainers in the car hold their weatherstrip in very tight and firmly sealed, and I haven't had one place where I've remotely needed weatherstrip adhesive; I'm convinced it should be the same way for this retainer, if I can just get the stripping angled properly to seat in it.
Last edited by LouisvilleLT4; Jan 27, 2008 at 01:51 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 5,362
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From: Delray Beach FL
Wish I was at home, I am replacing both A-Pillars in my 86. Well, if you don't get them off by next weekend, let me know. I will be home on Thursday and can try to pull one of mine off. If I break it, it isn't a big deal for me, as I have replacements on order. I could let you know if there is any trick.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 105
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From: Orlando Florida
While you are pushing, pulling, and otherwise wrestling with the plastic you may want to take some time and warm them up with a hair dryer. They will be more flexible and less likely to crack in the colder weather.
Later ... Larry S.
Later ... Larry S.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,326
Likes: 18
From: Los Angeles California
Thanks. I can't believe it's not simpler than this, though. It feels like I'm just not doing it right, like maybe there's still 10 fasteners holding it on that are out of sight.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,326
Likes: 18
From: Los Angeles California
Turns out I just wasn't forcing them hard enough. It seems the correct way to remove them is to start with the outer edge of each plastic piece (facing out the door), and all along the length of this edge to pop it over that frame lip that runs up the A-pillar. By forcing hard enough you can gradually peel it over this lip as whatever adhesive underneath it is released.
Being able to look at it closer now, it seems my weatherstrip has been seating OK, and my leaks are due simply to poor window alignment. Even using the FSM procedure I cannot get the windows to tip-in nearly enough; the windows tip out away from the car along the top. All else that I know to try is adjusting that brass window stop in and out. I hope that works.
Being able to look at it closer now, it seems my weatherstrip has been seating OK, and my leaks are due simply to poor window alignment. Even using the FSM procedure I cannot get the windows to tip-in nearly enough; the windows tip out away from the car along the top. All else that I know to try is adjusting that brass window stop in and out. I hope that works.
Last edited by LouisvilleLT4; Feb 3, 2008 at 11:18 AM.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2007
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From: Morristown TN
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,759
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Ok, I'm trying to replace my side A pillar trim, and it is not comming out. How do you remove the center trim and how do you remove the side pillar trim? I have an 89.
And while I have that off, what do I look for to see if the windshield is sealed up good? The PO had the windshield replaced poorly. I took it to the dealer and they reseated the windshield and supposidly resealed it along the pillar part.
And while I have that off, what do I look for to see if the windshield is sealed up good? The PO had the windshield replaced poorly. I took it to the dealer and they reseated the windshield and supposidly resealed it along the pillar part.
