Rocker trim R&R?

[supercrackerbox]

What is the easiest way to remove the stainless rocker trim from my Regal?

What tools do I need, and where can I buy them? (I love an excuse to buy new tools :lol: )

If and when I break the mounting clips, where can I get new ones?

Thanks

 

[85 Cutlass Brougham]

Well, there are several types of clips used by GM. Most of them are released by pushing up GENTLY from the bottom on the trim and allowing the top of the trim to rotate off the clip. Some are held in by round metal discs on the top and bottom and screws on the bottom or they are held by tucking under the wheel arch trim. As for new clips, some are available, but most are not. I am having an issue myself finding one damn lower body trim clip for my Cutlass. Preserve what is there as those are the only ones you are guaranteed to find. What I would do is find a car like yours in the junkyard and practice on it. That way, you can learn how to take them off on another car that doesn't matter first, and be much less likely to break yours when you go to do it. Plus, you can grab any clips you don't break from the junker to have as spares.

 

[midwestls]

I helped a friend with a 79 cutlass once and if it's the same there are phillips screws along the bottom, usually pretty deteriorated then once you get those out it just lifts straight up.

 

[85 Cutlass Brougham]

If you need to remove trim screws, try this trick: Take a stubby #2 phillips screwdriver, put it in the screw head and smack it a few times with a hammer. This loosens it up a bit and lessens the chance that you will strip the head. Even if you ignore this, make sure you use a #2 Phillips, and NOT a #1. The #1 is too small and will not grip enough, causing it to chew up the slot in these screws.

 

[supercrackerbox]

Yeah, I already had to drill out most of the screws holding in my wheel well trim.


And then my drill broke. :x

 

[jade81olds]

the regal's rocker trim is kind of unique in so far as the actual rocker panel trip goes up on the fender as seen in your pic. i think it may not have any screws other than those in common with the wheel arch trim and the rest are a couple plastics on fender and qtr pnl. probably the metal discs along the rocker itself (if you're lucky it'll be screws on bottom edge). I'd start on the ends and try to pull upward as 85 CB mentioned. good luck saving any of the clips, it's not an easy process. hoipe you don't end up with double-sided tape, as that isn't worth a crap usually. check with a body guy with some experience, he may have a trick or tool or two.

 

[supercrackerbox]

I'm actually still torn as to whether I want to keep the Limited package trim pieces, or try to find the Sport Coupe trim like the pic in my sig. I think it would look good either way. I guess if I fail pulling off the Limited pieces, that will be the deciding factor.

 

[85 Cutlass Brougham]

I like the side trim on these cars, but if I didn't have most of the clips and had to pay big money for them I would not run it. Right now I am trying to find 1 or 2 clips for my car to finish putting it all back on and it is quite difficult.

 

[supercrackerbox]

Crap.

I went and took a closer look today, and yes there are screws along the bottom of the trim on the rear quarters.

Downside is I don't think there's any metal behind the one on the driver's side. :x Closed up the garage and walked away.

Luckily since it seems to be completely localized behind the trim piece, it should be quite simple to fab some patch panels for. I just hope I don't find more along the rocker panels.

 

[v8power]

I like the side trim on these cars, but if I didn't have most of the clips and had to pay big money for them I would not run it. Right now I am trying to find 1 or 2 clips for my car to finish putting it all back on and it is quite difficult.
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what clips are you trying to find? most likley i have them, i saved every clip i could off several parts car. if you can get a pic of it, and i have it i will mail them to you.