How does one remove the two black plastic air vent grilles underneath the wiper blades on the 123 body?

I'm completely stripping my body to have body & paint work done while the engine's out. I'm almost done with everything else but these two grilles are driving me nuts. In the service manual section 82, the instructions for removing the wiper motor refer to job 83-140 to remove the grilles. So, I start flipping pages... and there's NO section 83! The book skips from 82 to 88. Great.

It looks like there are four little square caps on each grille that may be concealing screws. The square caps won't prise out, though. I jimmied with them until I heard something crack then decided to call it a day so I wouldn't pry too hard and break something in my frustration.

Any help?

"If it jams, force it. If it breaks, it needed replacing anyway."

- Nathan
'83 240D, 255k miles
'00 New Beetle TDI, 28k miles

Nathan,

If your manual is like mine, you will find 83.4-140 near the back, in the "Accessory Systems: Heating, Ventilation". They put a lot of numbers out of order.

In the event the section really is missing from your manual, the instructions are:

The ornamental grille is attached to the front with only four expanding clamps. Remove windshield wiper arms from windshield wiper shaft at driver's side.

Removal

1. Push bolt on expandng clamps completely down.

2. Lift expanding clamps on one side and take out of ornamental grill.

3. Pull out ornamental grille in forward direction.


There are some pictures that might make this a little clearer, but unfortunately, I can't send them. It appears that there is a thin "bolt" in the center of the clamp which when pushed down, clears the clamp and releases the tension on it.

Hope this helps. Good luck.

__________________
Ted
1979 240D
165,000 miles

Nathan,

Here's the man page with photos, hope this helps you.

Good Luck,
jeric

Click here for: 83-140

Thanks, both.

I'll check tomorrow to see if that section is in the back of my manual If not, I'm sure I can take care of it with that picture of the clamps on step 1. The clamps are square-shaped with a smaller square peg inserted in the center.. hard to describe, but that picture shows them adequately.

The car is starting to look kind of creepy with the headlights and bumpers and trim all stripped off ... it reminds me of a skull.

I'll be sure to take plenty of before-and-after photos and post them somewhere.

- Nathan
'83 240D, 255k miles
'00 New Beetle TDI, 29k miles

Nathan,

When you have some pics to post let me know and I will give you an account on one of my servers for pic posting, I'd love to see them as I am I would like to take on the same task.

tnx,
jeric

Nathan, I'm attempting similar project on 1984 300SD. How did you get the aluminum trim off around the sides and top of the side windows? Not the rain gutter, not the lower pieces at the bottom window seal, but the flat pieces right at the window channels. They look like a press or "pinch" fit? Is there adhesive? heat gun? Mine won't move with the plastic wedge or dull putty knife technique. Thanks and good luck. (mine's starting to look kind of scary also and I think the neighbors are forming a posse)

__________________
The Golden Rule

1984 300SD (bought new, sold it in 1988, bought it back 13 yrs. later)

Hi jba,

Here's the man page with photos, hope this helps you.

Good Luck,
jeric



Click here to see 67-100, Windshield removal

Jeric, thanks. I guess I wasn't clear(edited my first post). It's the SIDE windows aluminum trim. I have the CD set but it doesn't cover the really close fit trim on top and sides of the side windows. Appreciate the heads-up though.

Nathan, I know you are giddy with the excitement of removing your fresh air vents, but if you've done the side window trim; give me a holler. Thanks.
Bruce

__________________
The Golden Rule

1984 300SD (bought new, sold it in 1988, bought it back 13 yrs. later)

I haven't removed that trim yet. I don't have an appropriate plastic wedge to avoid causing scratches. However, I did slightly move the trim around the driver's door window near the outside mirror (which I already removed) by pressing the tip of a flat-blade screwdriver into the tiny groove between the painted surface and the chrome trim, and twisting slightly. The chrome started to slide off - that is, in toward the window - but the screwdriver also started to scratch the paint, so I stopped. There is probably adhesive underneath.

I can't find a plastic wedge to complete my trim removal. I think I'm going to make one out of the plastic handle of a worn-out wire brush.

I don't know how I'm going to fit those pieces back on if I take them off. I've got some spray adhesive that'll probably work, coupled with gentle tapping of a rubber mallet. I'll see how they look when I pull them off.

- Nathan
'83 240D, 255k miles
'00 New Beetle TDI, 29k miles

Nathan, got my plastic wedges at hardware store. Two types. Larger one was sold as shim material for hanging door frames in building construction (advertised as no rot, last forever deals), breaks off at different thicknesses. Very handy. The smaller nylon ones I got were those "specials" near the checkout stands, sold as table levelers. Unless someone knows a neat trick on that particular trim piece, I'm going for a careful masking job! (I know it sounds a little Earl Schieb)

__________________
The Golden Rule

1984 300SD (bought new, sold it in 1988, bought it back 13 yrs. later)

Please allow me to but in here and change the subject slightly. Does anyone know if the sheetmetal that holds the cowl vents is replacable. I have two spots on each side adjacent to the windshield seal that is about to rust through. Any help is appreciated.

75 240D "Raggedy Ann" (junked-engine reused in Pearl)
'75 240D "Pearl" (sold)
'80 300D "Ms Lewis" (bought and sold for $400 after I drove for 3 years)
'85 300TD "Tunces" (best car ever built)
'85 300CD Wife's car and new to us and has yet to claim a name