Removing Rear Seat Side Panel in Convertible

[eric lipper]

Ok, the back seat is out.  All the screws are removed from the side panel but the only thing holding it in place is the roll bar.  It is loose so I can see that is the only thing holding it.   The panel does have a slot in it to go around the roll bar but it would take a lot of bending to get it out around the roll bar.  Any of you guys know how this comes out -- is there a trick?  I don't want to damage the panel because I bet the side panels are fragile.

[Bob Gaines]

Ok, the back seat is out.  All the screws are removed from the side panel but the only thing holding it in place is the roll bar.  It is loose so I can see that is the only thing holding it.   The panel does have a slot in it to go around the roll bar but it would take a lot of bending to get it out around the roll bar.  Any of you guys know how this comes out -- is there a trick?  I don't want to damage the panel because I bet the side panels are fragile.

You have accessed the situation correctly. You have to bend the panels down or up to get it by the diameter of the rollbar. I have found that bending both half way keeps from having to bend one too much. Sometimes they will crack other times not. Take it slow. Best of luck.

[eric lipper]

Thanks Bob.  Looks a little crazy but I will give it a shot and report back.

[eric lipper]

Ok, the back seat is out.  All the screws are removed from the side panel but the only thing holding it in place is the roll bar.  It is loose so I can see that is the only thing holding it.   The panel does have a slot in it to go around the roll bar but it would take a lot of bending to get it out around the roll bar.  Any of you guys know how this comes out -- is there a trick?  I don't want to damage the panel because I bet the side panels are fragile.

You have accessed the situation correctly. You have to bend the panels down or up to get it by the diameter of the rollbar. I have found that bending both half way keeps from having to bend one too much. Sometimes they will crack other times not. Take it slow. Best of luck.

Bob, I chickened out on removing the side panels and replaced the hydraulic ram for the convertible top just by working through the well.  After I looked at the side panels it really did not look like removing them made the job much easier.  As an aside I would like to see someone do the Houdini on a convertible side panel because that looks like i would break it for sure and I did not want to damage my OEM side panels.

[Bob Gaines]

Ok, the back seat is out.  All the screws are removed from the side panel but the only thing holding it in place is the roll bar.  It is loose so I can see that is the only thing holding it.   The panel does have a slot in it to go around the roll bar but it would take a lot of bending to get it out around the roll bar.  Any of you guys know how this comes out -- is there a trick?  I don't want to damage the panel because I bet the side panels are fragile.

You have accessed the situation correctly. You have to bend the panels down or up to get it by the diameter of the rollbar. I have found that bending both half way keeps from having to bend one too much. Sometimes they will crack other times not. Take it slow. Best of luck.

Bob, I chickened out on removing the side panels and replaced the hydraulic ram for the convertible top just by working through the well.  After I looked at the side panels it really did not look like removing them made the job much easier.  As an aside I would like to see someone do the Houdini on a convertible side panel because that looks like i would break it for sure and I did not want to damage my OEM side panels.

If you hadn't done it before or are unsure of yourself then it was a smart move on your part. You don't want to take a chance if you don't have to. I have had to do the Houdini trick so many times I have lost count and still get that nervous feeling everytime I have to take one off for whatever reason. I am glad to hear you got it done.