Rear Trim Removal

[Ooooner]

I know the rear trim piece is held on by small studs and bolts from the inside of the car. I hope I don't have to do this but does the gas tank have to be removed in order to remove some of the small nuts on the trim piece? Also, does anyone know what size metric nuts they are?

Thanks!

[opelbits]

Most of them can be reached thru the tailight and sidemarker holes. Those that can't are the ones across the top. You don't need to remove the tank. You might need to remove the spare tire deck, but if you have a long (24" or so) 1/4" drive extension for your ratchet, you should be able to get the top nuts. Use a deep well socket. I think they were either 8 or 10 mm nuts.

[namba209]

Roy, depending on how skinny your arms are, most are accessible through the rear lite holes. If you can't access all of the nuts through the holes, then for sure the tire tray has to come out, or at least the vertical wall attached to the rear of it. I do believe they are 8 mm nuts. A word of caution, spray the hardware with PB Blaster or other penetrant and wait awhile or you'll snap the studs. Been there, did that on Willit? The reason for the gift packages of retainers a couple of years ago.

[bq97]

Roy,

They are 8mm and a real pain. Take the package tray out and us a long, very long, extension on a 1/4' drive socket or find a kid to get at them thru the tail light openings.

BQ

[markandson]

Another thing that happens if you have rusted studs is that the "T" piece that is retained inside the trim itself can try to spin and if you are inside the car and cranking hard enough on that long extension you can damage the trim as well as shear off the stud.

[Ooooner]

Thanks guys... I will use your advice when removing the trim piece in a few weeks!

[GTJIM]

Find a slender woman, anoint her with body oil and get her to slide in over the fuel tank with an 8mm socket and rachet ..... failing the availability of a suitable person - remove the fuel tank!

I saw that replacing them was a hiding-to-nothing - welded up the holes and filled the trim strip with urethane body filler and 'glued' it back on.
Result = no more water traps and no more ... slender woman drenched in body oil
.. and no more trying to explain why such person was a necessary GT maintenance item!

[hrcollinsjr]

Originally Posted by Ooooner Thanks guys... I will use your advice when removing the trim piece in a few weeks!

Roy,

You might want to go ahead and start soaking the nuts and trim bolts with a good penetrating oil. My brother in law swears by "Thrust" you can get it locally where you are.

Harold

[Ooooner]

Harold, Thanks.... That's a good idea. I will start soaking them this weekend!