H3 Windshield Trim Repair - Another Solution

[cbetts]

While working on replacing my off road lights on my rack, I broke all the tabs the secure the drivers side windshield molding.

I remembered how Alrock had fixed his using nutserts but I really didn't want to drill into the metal giving an opportunity for water to enter. Upon careful inspection, I noticed the plastic inserts already in the pillar were sealed. It looked like a #8 machine screw would work perfectly.

I drilled holes where the plastic lugs were before breaking them with a drill slightly smaller than the screw to keep things tight. I also trimmed down machine screw to keep it from reaching the very bottom of the inserts.

The chrome heads look tacky. I need to go to my local hardware store and find some black head bolts to replace these.

 

[alrock]

Looks good and I'm sure that will hold up. BTW, I sealed the nutserts with RTV to minimize leaks.

 

[poncho1965]

In a perfect world, does the molding just snap off? For future reference

 

[alrock]

Yes. And with these pics you can see where the clips are. It also hooks into the plastic on the roof that holds the roof rails.

 

[cbetts]

In a perfect world, does the molding just snap off? For future reference

Yep. I have had this piece off several times in the past. Mine got a little brittle over time I guess.

 

[junedawg]

Do you just need a flat head screw diver to remove them? What about the rest of the trim on top?

 

[cbetts]

Well, also need a phillips to remove the two screws hiding under the door seal. I never looked at the top trim. Only had the one side piece off.

 

[evldave]

Do you just need a flat head screw diver to remove them? What about the rest of the trim on top?

The rest of the trim on top is held in place with a bunch of torx bits down the main rail. To remove the top trim, you have to remove not only the trim, but also the roof rack rail. It's a pain, but fairly simple...