Dear All

Sorry if this should be posted in a different section - I was not sure if it fit this criteria "Where questions about Factory Originality can be asked and answered!"

In essence I have tracked down replacement trim for the rear area of my 92 - the main tricky bit for me is the hydraulic arms which go through one of the pieces of replacement trim. I am hoping the arms will un-hook rather than having to be un-screwed from the body. Not wanting to break anything (as being in the UK leaves me very short on replacement parts - lets be honest ... there are none) I hoped I could ask you guys for your insights on this - thanks

Also I have a replacement rear curtain - I have tripped the trim back to where I can see where it is mounted on both sides - but it will not budge (I noticed the replacement curtain extends up and down but even when I try to nudge the existing curtain up or down it does not come loose) again any insights would be greatly appreciated.

Lastly I had to source some rear parts that were not the colour of the interior (ie the plastic caps that fit over the roof restraints just behind each seat) my car has a light grey interior but the caps I sourced were beige - so I tried my best to match the light grey paint but it is not right (looks better than the originals as they were broken and better than beige ...... but just not quite right) anyone know of gm aerosol paints that do match the 92 grey interior exactly - just one of those things which over time will drive me mad!!!

Thanks all

Moe, you really, really, really need a FSM.

The hatch struts can be removed by carefully prying out the retainer (the metal band that goes around the socket) and pulling the strut socket off the ball. Unhook the defroster connections first.

You can get the gray paint in a spraycan from someone like www.corvettecentral.com
92-92 light gray is code 106

Cheers Bill

Hate to ask - what is an FSM? I'm a tad removed from the core of Vette owners out here in not so sunny england - so find the only way left to learn is the hard way and by asking stupid questions (was taught a long time ago and still believe there are no stupid questions - only stupid answers) - never had one from any of you guys !!

Can not thank you enough for your super fast and detailed response - my Aston Martin mate is coming by in a couple of hours - I figure he will have no problems given your great description of what is required (many thanks) - he tells me a lot of vette parts/wiring ended up in the db9 etc so lucky for me he loves to work on the car (and for free beer!)

thanks bill

The FSM is the Factory Servive Manual, about $100US

It would save you and your mechanic considerable time.
Even something as simple as the hatch struts is in there.

On my 85, there's a spring loaded metal tab that you need to pull back, then the strut comes right off.

Be careful, the plastic was very brittle on mine. But I was replacing them anyways.

The back joint is easier to remove, then you can move the entire strut over to get easier access to the front joint.

Use a stick to prop the hatch of course, it's heavy.

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The replacement trim is tricky too.

The side pieces have a screw behind the interior light.

But, removing the interior light is difficult without damaging the b-pillar trim.

I was able to get to the backside of the tabs and pop them loose. With the 2nd photo, you can see where the tabs are.

You can see the hidden screw in the 3rd pic. STUPID GM!

After all that, you still have to fish the plastic out of there, its a tight fit where the weatherstrip is in the corner.

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