Re-Attaching Side Bolster (Early VIN)

[TripleZeroFilms]

One issue I'm going to be facing in the near future is the re-attaching of the side bolstering (on the drivers side) beside my seat. I know that early VINs like mine were attached to, rather than built into, the side and hence prone to coming off. It was off when I bought the car (luckily the passengers side is still on), but the previous owner did keep it so I really just need to figure out how to re-attach it properly. I'm currently out of state from my car, but will back with it soon and ready to tackle this job. If I remember correctly from looking over my removed bolster it seems to bolt on from the inside, which kind of perplexes me as to how to attach it. I know this is a rather common problem with the lower VINs so I'm hoping that someone who has been down the road will have some helpful hints. If pictures of the offending piece would be helpful, I'd be glad to supply them in a few weeks when I'm once again with the car.

Hopefully the help I receive here, as well as some pictures taken along the way, will help me not only to reattach my bolster but to also make a handy PDF guide for future owners of early cars who have this problem (I looked across the web and have come across no such thing, I assume since DMCH only sells the later style and many people just switch over).

[jawn101]

One issue I'm going to be facing in the near future is the re-attaching of the side bolstering (on the drivers side) beside my seat. I know that early VINs like mine were attached to, rather than built into, the side and hence prone to coming off. It was off when I bought the car (luckily the passengers side is still on), but the previous owner did keep it so I really just need to figure out how to re-attach it properly. I'm currently out of state from my car, but will back with it soon and ready to tackle this job. If I remember correctly from looking over my removed bolster it seems to bolt on from the inside, which kind of perplexes me as to how to attach it. I know this is a rather common problem with the lower VINs so I'm hoping that someone who has been down the road will have some helpful hints. If pictures of the offending piece would be helpful, I'd be glad to supply them in a few weeks when I'm once again with the car.

Hopefully the help I receive here, as well as some pictures taken along the way, will help me not only to reattach my bolster but to also make a handy PDF guide for future owners of early cars who have this problem (I looked across the web and have come across no such thing, I assume since DMCH only sells the later style and many people just switch over).

You have to remove the entire interior rear quarter panel. That's a big job. Then you can rivet the bolster back on from the backside, provided the plastic isn't shattered. I did this recently when someone sat down too fast on my passenger side and snapped the whole bolster clean off. Fortunately I was able to save it.

[TripleZeroFilms]

You have to remove the entire interior rear quarter panel. That's a big job. Then you can rivet the bolster back on from the backside, provided the plastic isn't shattered. I did this recently when someone sat down too fast on my passenger side and snapped the whole bolster clean off. Fortunately I was able to save it.

Hmm, I wasn't aware all of that had to come off. Still, it needs to be fixed and fixed it will be. Any hints or guides on the best procedure for removing the quarter since you've been through it. (Pictures, if you took any, would also be awesome.) Thanks for the speedy reply though! :)

I also noticed on your blog that you just re-installed your head liners, which is another upcoming project for me. I've been debating the pros and cons of either ordering the $450 replacement from DMCH or just getting them reupholstered locally. I would imagine the latter would be considerably cheaper, but I wonder if there would be a noticeable difference in quality or trouble matching the colour/fabric.

[jawn101]

Sad but true, the panel has to come off. There is a decent how-to with photos here http://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?t=3075 - I didn't take many pics of that job, foolishly. But you basically remove the upper seatbelt anchor cap, both seatbelt anchor bolts, three or four screws depending on who built your car (one or two at the roof, one under the side sill carpet towards the front of the panel and one towards the rear) and then the fun part. Remove the inner door seal and use a heat gun to loosen the glue holding the vinyl wrapped around the fiberglass body. Peel the vinyl up carefully, don't stretch or crack or rip it. Once you've got everything free, the panel will lift up and out. I say up because it is hooked into the metal trays for the relay compartment/lambda computer depending on which side you're dealing with. Reverse to reinstall.

That is the best time to do headliners as the rear one has to go under the side trim.

Clint (#1768) and I recovered my headliners with fabric sourced locally. It cost $30 for the material and glue to do all 4 boards and he found a damn near perfect color match to my sunvisors. The caveat is that my car had never had moisture issues and the fiberboard backers for the headliners were in great shape. If yours are soggy and gross there isn't much to be done. My rear board over the window had started warping and sagging but I epoxied some thin flat aluminum bar stock to the trailing edge as a stiffener, then we wrapped the fabric over it. Looks amazing.