removing the lower chrome/tin trim pieces on body

beatersRus

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the lower chrome trim pieces on our m bodies,
how exactly do you remove those intact And save the clips that hold them on?
does anyone have experience with this?

i need to remove the ones off a parts car and re install them on my car.
any advice would be Greatly appreciated.
 

Duke5A

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I don't think there is a way to be honest. The plastic is so damn brittle from age as soon as you press on the bottom of the rocker and lift up it breaks. I have one that is complete and was planning on tracing out and 3D printing. Can't find them new.
 

beatersRus

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o i got it figured out Duke a coupla the guys on the FB m body group set me straight in 2 mins.
i did get most of mine off in vgc,only id say 5 at most are bad.
and hey im going to strip a parts car or two tomm afternoon.
if you Want some of these clips or need a good side chrome LMK !
i have 2 sets of Mint lower side chrome for a 4 door as well.
i will get as many of those clips as i can for you.

Edit:
Perfection TY to both John schwartz and dillon for your advice,
I was done in less than 5 minutes.
i found that if you push or lift Up on the bottoms and use a Big flat blade scraper/drywall scraper and very carefully Twist it,
that the trim literally pops off easily.
most of my tabs were good and i think? i only broke one myself.
the rest look to have been gone for some time/the little arms at bottom.
also,4 door lower trim does not fit 2 door lower trim....
dont ask me how i know this
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;) lol

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Mikes5thAve

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Push up on the bottom while prying out at the top in the same area. You can do it with a normal flat screwdriver, don't need anything special. Do it right where the clip is not between them.
 

beatersRus

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Push up on the bottom while prying out at the top in the same area. You can do it with a normal flat screwdriver, don't need anything special. Do it right where the clip is not between them.
that Might work for some cars.
but,i would never recommend using a flat blade screwdriver,
theres way too much potential for it to ding that soft trim very easily.

first,
a flat blade screwdriver is too thick to go Between the body and trim,it Will deform it.
second,
it will probably also dimple it if you run into a super tight piece of trim like i did on pass side.
the flat scraper i show does a much better job of spreading the load and not damaging a thing.
i had both tools on hand,and chose the scraper Because of this.

speaking of tools,
in case any of you were wondering why the hammer and tent peg are in the pic lol.
once you get the trim off,
those clips have to come sideways at the bottoms,
and they seemed to be happy where they were.
a couple of taps with the hammer and stake and they popped loose,no marks no fuss.
 

Mikes5thAve

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that Might work for some cars.
but,i would never recommend using a flat blade screwdriver,
theres way too much potential for it to ding that soft trim very easily.

first,
a flat blade screwdriver is too thick to go Between the body and trim,it Will deform it.
second,
it will probably also dimple it if you run into a super tight piece of trim like i did on pass side.
the flat scraper i show does a much better job of spreading the load and not damaging a thing.
i had both tools on hand,and chose the scraper Because of this.

speaking of tools,
in case any of you were wondering why the hammer and tent peg are in the pic lol.
once you get the trim off,
those clips have to come sideways at the bottoms,
and they seemed to be happy where they were.
a couple of taps with the hammer and stake and they popped loose,no marks no fuss.

The trim is stronger then you think. There is plenty of room to get a flat blade screw driver in there and the wedge shape helps pop it with hardly any prying. You're only going after one clip at a time so it takes less force then with a wider scraper. Flat blade has always been the default way of getting that type of trim off. If its removed properly it won't damage it.

For the clips, the same screw driver against the lower edge with a whack or two with your hand is all they need.
 

LSM360

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It's good to get a look behind those trim pieces, and the wheel well molding too. Quite often, rust lurks behind both :(

I removed them from one of my AHB's once, and there was a quarter size rust hole. They hold dirt and therefore moisture. They do look nice though.
 
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