T-panel

[Trstno1]

Would someone be able to give me step by step instructions on how to remove the T-panel? One side of my T-panel seems to be bowing upward by the drivers door and I wanted to figure out why.

Pics would be awesome!!

[DMCMW Dave]

Yes. No pics at the moment but you won't need them.

Remove three screws that hold the plastic trim above the rear window in place. Lift up the bottom of that trim carefully and rotate it to disengage the 4 tabs across the top. It's fragile.

With a blunt scraper remove the outer door seal where it fills the roof gap at the rear of the doors. You need it loose the width of the t-panel. Under the glue you'll find 3 screws on each side. Take them out.

At this point all that holds the roof in place is double sided tape (or glue if some prior idiot glued the panel on). The leading edge is tabbed under the front windshield trim but you do not need to remove the trim. You may find that nothing is holding the roof on, this means that someone else took it off first and didn't bother to secure it back with anything but the screws.

Lift up the back edge of the t-panel and if you are lucky the tape will just let go. If not, you'll need to get under it with a long metal strip (metal yardstick, pry bar etc) and carefully separate it. You want to be BELOW the pad that is essentially part of the panel, that stays in place attached to the panel and you separate that from the roof of the car.

To reinstall it clean everything up and then build the tape back up using layers of 3M VHB-molding tape. Please do not glue the roof back on. The next person to work on the car will thank you.

I've had a car or two where the roof was glued on (one being my own car!!). On these the reinforcement panel that is attached to the t-panel broke and had to be replaced.

The t-panel will take an amazing amount of force but if you get carried away you can kink it.

[Trstno1]

Thanks Dave!

I have attached a couple pictures that show my issue. Hopefully the tape just gave way on that side.

[DMCMW Dave]

Thanks Dave!

I have attached a couple pictures that show my issue. Hopefully the tape just gave way on that side.

Often the tape (foam) has just disintegrated over time. Means the roof will come off easily!

[john 05141]

I hate it when the T-panel is not sitting straight.
But even with the best double sided tape, it will not hold.
I used a glue the last time and that did not hold either. My problem is that the doors are pushing the panel, so I know they need to be reajusted.

My roofcage needs to be replaced, so at that time I will get this fixed permanently.

[Bitsyncmaster]

I hate it when the T-panel is not sitting straight.
But even with the best double sided tape, it will not hold.
I used a glue the last time and that did not hold either. My problem is that the doors are pushing the panel, so I know they need to be reajusted.

My roofcage needs to be replaced, so at that time I will get this fixed permanently.

My T panel lifts when the door is closed. I was thinking of fiberglassing a hook in the center that slides into a mating fitting fiberglassed onto the roof.

[Christian Dietrich]

Yeah i did that and its still this way. Might remove it to see whats under there? Ibhave those 3 screws tight, 4 stainless tabs squeezed damn good and tried pressing down on it but it wont budge anymore?

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[Christian Dietrich]

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[Morpheus]

The first picture makes it look like your T-panel is LOWER than your doors. If this is the case, I would remove it and lay down some strips of weatherstripping on the top of your roof box to bring it up a little. This helps with open Door / T-Panel rubbing issues if you are having those also.

[Christian Dietrich]

No i dont have any issue's with the T panel rubbing but it does look a little low.

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