87-328 GTB-Need to know how to remove LH quarter-glaass surround

This is related to my other thread about my broken fuel filler lid hinges. I'm having to install new hinges and pins on the rearmost upright "C-Pillar" metal trim that contains the hinge tube for these pins. This is just in front of the gas filler area.

I've managed to remove the small metal panel inside the filler area that traps the C-pillar. I had to drill out the one rivet, then pry it out. It is secured, in addition to the rivet, with LOTS of gummy black 3M goop, so it took a bit of work to get it out.

Now that I have the rear upright trim piece exposed, and I did remove the upper hex screw from it, I cannot see how to actually remove this quarter-glass rear trim piece. The reason I have to remove the C-pillar is because the lower hinge pin cannot be removed and re-installed because there is NO clearance between the lower hinge pin and the black horizontal fender trim. Ferrari in it's wisdom trapped the lower hinge pin with ZERO clearance in case the hinge breaks and needs repair. The upper hinge pin was easily slipped out.

So, my question: Can the rear vertical trim piece be removed alone, or does the entire LH rear quarter glass have to come out? I think the whole piece and surrounding frame will have to come out.

If it all needs to come out, I need to know the procedure. There is a forward upper screw, just in front of the driver door, but looking at it, the screw is driven from above and there's no way to remove it from the forward trim piece! Crazy! So, there is no logical apparent way to do this job that I can see.

I'm stopping until I can get some good advice from the experts on here. I did consult the Newman thread where he fully-restored a 78 GTB and there are a couple good photos of this area being removed, but no explicit procedure explained. Here's a link, page 3, post 52:

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/308-328/339674-78-308-gtb-cosmetic-restoration-3.html

Any procedural help would be greatly appreciated,
Greg
Houston TX
87 328 GTB

 

Sigma, any chance you can post the related link(s)?
Greg

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Furman,
Thanks so much for the helpful phone conversation earlier today, much appreciated!

I'm going to drill out those 2 exposed rivets and HOPEFULLY find a way to remove, or at the very least, raise the C-pillar a bit so I can remove the broken-off lower hinge and associated pin. That's all I'm trying to do, ultimately, is get that broken lower hinge off and the new one on. Such an ordeal! Hopefully the full glass assembly can stay in situ.

I'll keep the parts you suggested in mind, should I need them. By the way, I never asked, why did you remove your quarter glass?

Best,
Greg

 

F,
Car looks great, congrats, and thanks again. Gonna tackle this again tomorrow PM, will report back here..
Greg

 

Explored Viper Driver's thread, excellent work, but didn't really outline the exact process for removing a GTB's rear quarter window.

I'm hoping somebody (Furmano?) will outline exactly the process involved. Our phone conversation outlined the basics, and I think I understand that forward and rearward rivets need to be drilled out, but I'd appreciate a precise location description as well.

Furman, you did indicate that there are rivets under the leading edge's interior trim, as well as the two visible under the cosmetic plate I removed near the gas cap. The 2 questions I'd like answered before I move forward taking a drill to my 328:

1) Does anybody know if simply drilling out the two rear rivets, along with removal of the upper hex screw, will allow the single, rear c-pillar to come out? I know it will involve some prying and manipulation, but I want to avoid unnecessary removal of the entire quarter glass if possible. Essentially, I need to know how the 4 pieces surrounding the quarter glass interlock with each other.
I'm hoping I can manipulate the c-pillar alone out, after the two rear rivets are removed.

2) If above is not possible, are the forward and rearward rivets the ONLY ones to be removed, before the entire quarter glass assembly can be removed? Will the glass tilt downward? Will pry tools be necessary on all sides of the glass? Is the lower edge interlocked into the body?

All these points would be good to know, before I move any further on this. Remember, my only goal is to install the lower fuel door's hinge and pin, which cannot be done with the c-pillar in place due to lack of clearance against the fender trim piece.

Thanks,
Greg

 

To the top..

anybody???




GG

 

A closer look at the pics in Furman's pics in post #4, specifically the 3rd from the bottom, is revealing.
It appears the rear c-pillar remained on the car as the other quarter window surround bits came out. This may be the good news I need, because it shows that the 4 window surround trim pieces can be separated while in situ.

 

That's a GTS isn't it? Mine is a GTB, are they different in quarter glass removal? Not clear on the wire trick, can you explain further?

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Clyde that would be great, thank u.

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Furmano confirmed that the window is only held by 3 rivets on the b - pillar and 2 on the c-pillar. Then it pries down from the top. Sounds about right. .

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Furman,
Glad you chimed in, yes, Sigmacar's pics are of a GTS which has an entirely different rear quarter glass trim assembly than a GTB. Looks like the GTS has rivets along the lower edge, where the GTB has only forward and rearward rivets on the B and C pillars, as you have said. Also, the rear quarter glass on a GTB cannot be popped out or removed from the seal using string, as the gasket is much different.

I've ordered the plastic trim tool set you've recommended as well as a glass-pull suction cup. When these things arrive, I'm going to proceed. In the meantime I'm going to safety-cover the inside of the glass to prevent a slipped drill to destroy the glass! By the way, I've got some 3M Strip=Calk on the way as well to use on re-assembly.

Amazing isn't it, all this to simply replace the small hinges on the fuel lid door???!!

Greg


Edit--saw your next post--yes, it's now evident the C-pillar alone cannot come out. No room to wiggle it loose. The entire glass/moulding assembly as one unit has to come out! BUMMER!!

 

Yep, indeed. Funny though, I've been blessed to have found a pristine 328; all the rear parcel shelf fabric is perfect, no need to replace. My car was apparently pampered its entire life. Heck I've only driven it maybe 1,500 miles in 2 years! A shame really, but it's mostly because I was servicing it and chasing a hard start problem. All fixed now, car is perfect, except for the gas cap louver door that fell off last month and thus started this new project!!

Greg