C2 Hardtop Side Retainer Removal - How To

[Brian M.]

Esteemed colleagues,

How does one remove the hardtop side retainer from the rear deck without damaging the fiberglass? I cannot find a way to grasp the bolt.
I have searched the TDB without success for guidance.
I am sure there is something simple and would rather not drill them out.
I suppose I can always leave in place and paint around them.
Any help would be sincerely appreciated.
Thanks in advance

[Donald O.]

Re: C2 Hardtop Side Retainer Removal - How To

I used a needle nose vise grips on the outer "screw" and a regular wrench on the inner nut. Yes, I had to replace the outer "screw".

Don

[Gary J.]

Re: C2 Hardtop Side Retainer Removal - How To

Brian, if you have the rest of the car stripped as the deck lid you have it pretty clean

[Alan D.]

Re: C2 Hardtop Side Retainer Removal - How To

Run a screw into outside, double nut, hold and remove back nut.

[Mike M.]

Re: C2 Hardtop Side Retainer Removal - How To

Alan is no dummy. his method won't scar the "screw". mike

[Brian M.]

Re: C2 Hardtop Side Retainer Removal - How To

Alan,
Thanks for the suggestion. That was my first thought.
Sheared the screw.
Will try a higher grade screw before resorting to another means.

[Brian M.]

Re: C2 Hardtop Side Retainer Removal - How To

Thanks.
See the Redline Times article on stripping the 13 layers of paint and Imron.
Fortunately I am retired now.

[Dino L.]

Re: C2 Hardtop Side Retainer Removal - How To

I used Alan’s approach, however the nut was rusted so I placed a bolt inside with a small weld then backed the nut off , then ground the weld off and polished the surface and reused it. No sign of process.

[Brian M.]

Re: C2 Hardtop Side Retainer Removal - How To

Dino,
Thanks.
It might come to that.

[Dino L.]

Re: C2 Hardtop Side Retainer Removal - How To

Be careful with the weld, the heat burns the fiberglass, heat sink it before welding it!

[Brian M.]

Re: C2 Hardtop Side Retainer Removal - How To

Oh yes I will if that is where I end up.
I bought some grade 8 bolts and will give it another twist first.
Thanks!

[William B.]

Re: C2 Hardtop Side Retainer Removal - How To

Try this penetrating oil, John Degregory suggested it to me, works were others do not, look on ebay or most of the HVAC parts stores handle it

Kano Aero kroil Penetrating Oil,

[Dick W.]

Re: C2 Hardtop Side Retainer Removal - How To

Alan is no dummy. his method won't scar the "screw". mike

Doc Q is right, safest way to remove the nut. No flaming Blue Point wrenched required

[Brian M.]

Re: C2 Hardtop Side Retainer Removal - How To

FWIW, I ended up pilot drilling one of the flats on the nut and then used a small burr to through cut the nut. I can even reuse the bolt part after I chase the threads.
Another way to do it if you do not have a welder. It took about 20 minutes per nut.
Thanks for the ideas.

IMG_3575.jpg

[George C.]

Re: C2 Hardtop Side Retainer Removal - How To

Excellent job, glad to hear you got it done without having to resort to the welder.