Some of the body moldings on my daughter's 87 cabriolet will not stay on. We are missing molding clips for the body side molding on the driver side fender and door and some clips for the rocker molding on the same side. What is the best way to remove the remaining old clips to install all new clips?
To reduce the instances of broken clips, remove the side trim in the following fashion:
Beginning at one end, place your forefingers along the bottom edge and your thumbs along the top edge of the trim.
Pull the bottom edge of the trim out and up.
Repeat steps 1 and 2 along the trim piece until it is completely removed.
The trim can be pulled straight off, but the clips are more prone to breaking.
Installation of the trim is reverse of removal, with the larger edge being on the bottom.
this is from cabby-info.com its under the body section then sub section "Side Trim / Molding Clips". it also has links to purchase new ones.
ebay has some on there as well pretty cheap. and new.
Trim is not the issue. I need to know how to replace the clips. Do they just pull out? I read somewhere, someone said to use a punch, but make sure the window is rolled up first.
On the trim clips, if you look at there there is a center plastic pin. Push that pin in till it falls out the back, and the clip will then be able to be pulled out.
I ordered new trim clips from
ClipsAndFasteners.com
Side moulding
(VW part #113-853-585C, 50 for $9)
Rocker panel clips.
ClipsAndFasteners.com
(VW part #803-853-139C, 25 for $7)
They are OEM quality and grip like a politician holding your tax dollars.
Briano
Yes as matter of fact, I have the Luck o'the Irish...everything I touch turns to fertilizer of the bovine variety. You can lead a user to a link, but you can't make him Click....
I see they have a black set and a white set w/ the orange seal. Much better price than MK1 autohaus who wants $16 for 32 of the white w/ seals. Her car has the white ones for the body side molding and red ones for the rocker molding.
If the center pin has broken off, is that where the punch comes in?
Yes you just punch the center through but it take a thin nail or punch.
Briano
Yes as matter of fact, I have the Luck o'the Irish...everything I touch turns to fertilizer of the bovine variety. You can lead a user to a link, but you can't make him Click....
Briano1234 wrote:...and grip like a politician holding your tax dollars.
StephanieGA wrote:
If the center pin has broken off, is that where the punch comes in?
The pin is a locking pin; it gets pushed into the clip upon installation to expand the flares keeping it locked into place. The pin doesn't necessarily need to be pulled/pushed out (but it makes it easier with less chance of the clip breaking apart); grab some pliers and pull the clip off the car (minding the paint in the process, of course).