Hard Top SS Front Trim

[Guest]

My SS trip at the front of the hard top came away in my hand yesterday. Those little black plastic clips (GHF 1164 I think) are all in various stages of disintegration and the trim was only being held by the side SS clips.

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This is DJT’s post on this subject way back in 2007 in which he says that fitting them is a hard job:

Not sure what you mean by "attachment strips". The chrome (actually stainless steel) is attached by plastic fittings (GHF1164 x 9) along the front. These pop in place and the trim is fitted over them. This is possibly the hardest one to get right without damage. The rear and lower side trims are held with metal clips (630881 x 23). These items are available from the usual suppliers. The upper side trims clip over the side drain channels.



My questions are:

Do I just dig out the broken bits from the hood metal and,

How do you fit the new ones – fit them to the SS strip first and then push then in to the hood one at a time, or is vice versa easier as DJT says?

Any advice will be welcome.

[milothedog]

My SS trip at the front of the hard top came away in my hand yesterday. Those little black plastic clips (GHF 1164 I think) are all in various stages of disintegration and the trim was only being held by the side SS clips.

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This is DJT’s post on this subject way back in 2007 in which he says that fitting them is a hard job:

Not sure what you mean by "attachment strips". The chrome (actually stainless steel) is attached by plastic fittings (GHF1164 x 9) along the front. These pop in place and the trim is fitted over them. This is possibly the hardest one to get right without damage. The rear and lower side trims are held with metal clips (630881 x 23). These items are available from the usual suppliers. The upper side trims clip over the side drain channels.



My questions are:

Do I just dig out the broken bits from the hood metal and,

How do you fit the new ones – fit them to the SS strip first and then push then in to the hood one at a time, or is vice versa easier as DJT says?

Any advice will be welcome.

When I repainted my hard top I fitted them to the roof which I think you have to do anyway because of the little peg that has to be pushed in to spread them and make them grip. I would also buy more than you need as they break easily.

When refitting the strip. I found the best way was to hook one edge of the trim (top edge) in and then set the other edge with a thump using the flat of your hand.

Ian.

[DJT]

Wot he said ^^^^^

[Guest]

Thanks chaps - I have just ordered the clips and other bits. Big difference in price for the same thing from two suppliers.

[Guest]

Me again.

I received my GHF 1164's today and popped the first one in flush to the hard top. Then, remembering Ian's advice above, I thought that I should not have done that as it will be impossible to hook in the top of the trim. So I broke it off and I am now I am at the start line again. Would I be right in thinking that I should leave a suitable gap between the plastic and the hard top so as to hook in the trim?

I would appreciate any advice so that I don't ruin any more of the plastic bits.

[DJT]

Don,

If I recall correctly I fitted them as designed, i.e. as you did with the first one, then fit the trim. The clips are bevelled on the topside and underside to allow the clip to expand and snap into place as it is tapped onto the clips.

[Guest]

Well, the trim is on. I have only 7 holes for clips and not 9. 5 of the 7 are clipped in, but 2 of them just won't engage - too much spring in the trim. However, 5 out of 7 is better than none, which was how it was, so that'll do for now.

Thanks for advice.

[Mark Shutt]

when I did mine I noticed it only had 7 not nine holes for clips too! a nice firm whack with palm of hand got them all on with relatively no fuss..