W123 exterior trim removal
 

G'day Folks,

I've been searching and searching - does anyone know how to safely remove W123 exterior trim?

I understand how the knee height trim on the door panels works - but I'm a bit wary of the roof line gutter trim on a saloon / sedan. There are three screws close to the front part of the front door but after that there doesn't seem to be anything else holding it on. Surely it can't be that easy?

I'm planning to give it a go tomorrow, but I thought it was worth asking this question before I have to find some expensive replacement trim...

...there's nothing in my CD FSM version...

Have you looked in section 68? It's titled Interior but there's chrome weatherstrip info in there.

Hi Yak - thanks - I did previously find chapter 68-495 which does the little bit of trim between the rear doors and the rear windshield (at the top of the trunk height)... but there isn't a specific chapter for the trim that runs along the gutter of a sedan.

Having had a second look at the FSM CD I've now come across chapter 68-530 which is for the coupe => I guess it is the same for the sedan - which is a shame, as apparently the trim gets buggered when you remove it and so you need to replace anyway.

I'll go and see how I get on and post some pictures if I get anywhere!

Pictures
 

To remove the trim on the roof gutters:-

Remove 3 screws on the front part of the gutter trim. Then you can start to pull the trim from the roof gutter part.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...1&d=1301136901

Then you can waggle the rest of it off until you meet the joint above the rear doors. At this point you'll probably find the trim behind you is scratching something - so get someone to hold it whilst you struggle with the next bit!

I used a bradawl to lift the last bit:-

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...1&d=1301137022

That's it. The trim does get bent so I'm now looking for a replacement...

Removing the other external bit at the base of the rear door pillar
 

The other bit of trim is easiest to reach once the gutter trim is off.

You push a screw driver into the cover plate:-

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...1&d=1301137156

This picture is on the right hand side of the car.

Now going back to the left hand side of the car (sorry) you can see how the cover plate comes out:-

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...1&d=1301137255

And then you undo the screws...

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...1&d=1301137301

do those long painted pieces latch under the other trim, so they can't be removed without taking off the whole thing up the C-pillar? or can they be bent to pop out leaving the other trim in place?

Sorry I'm not 100% sure what your question is - I think you mean these bits =>

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...lar-trim2a.jpg

In which case they kind of bend out - try to do minimal bending though! The holding bit is left behind as shown in the pictures

Bit by bit I am gathering info for the epic tear down - I am concerned about this portion - see pic - this can be masked but I worry about proper mil thickness next to the edge - it will hard to get a good profile - can this part (the polished part of the window be removed?) http://www.artshot.net/window_trim.JPG

Yes - you need to remove the window - and then the U shaped rubber + fur bit and then you can get to pull off the shiny stuff.

Have a look at chapter 72 in the FSM