Rear arm rest pad installation

[1969CoronetR/T]

My rear arm pad lost the retaining clip and now it is hanging by one screw instead of two. How much trouble is it to take the rear panel off to replace the clip so that the screw will hold? I have a 1969 Coronet hardtop.
Thanks

 

[rick68b5]

Not hard at all but the rear seat has to be pulled out

 

[1969CoronetR/T]

Damn, I was hoping that would not be the case.

 

[davek]

Had to do it on my Bee ,not had just put the clip in right,not upside down.Look in the bottom it might be there.

 

[1969CoronetR/T]

I have two extra clips. I just have to take the panel off and was hoping there would be a easier way.

 

[oldbee]

Only like 3-4 clips holding panel on,, much easier/safer with seat out.

 

[beanhead]

Yep, rear panels only use a few clips but do yourself a favor...go getcha a cheap panel removal tool from your local auto store (or summit) Using a screwdriver or butter knife can damage the board that holds the retaining clips in place

Something like this

 

[YY1]

even with the tool, be careful and align it under the metal of the clip

50 year old cardboard is real easy to rip

 

[1969CoronetR/T]

I will have to get that tool. I believe the panels are reproductions as the interior was redone a few years before I bought it about ten years ago.

 

[1969CoronetR/T]

Ok, I pulled the backseat and started to take the back panel off with the special tool and ran into a problem. I am not sure how to thanks the stainless piece off with the panel without bending it and ruining the piece. I got the panel to pop off, but the top is planted. Any ideas on how to get this off without bending the trim or scratching the painted steel on top?

 

[hunt2elk]

Get the armrest off first. There is a phillips head screw holding it on. Pop the 3 or 4 clips loose on the bottom and front of the panel. The top of the panel just pushes up into the chrome strip. It is just stuck in there. Wiggle it a bit and it will come out.

 

[1969CoronetR/T]

Oh, so the chrome strip does not come off with the panel? I thought it was all one piece.
Thanks!

 

[YY1]

correct- the panel should slide down enough to clear the chrome strip once the arm rest is removed..

 

[1969CoronetR/T]

I took the panel off and the arm rest clip was sitting it the track. I had to tape it in place to hold it in the track correctly so that the arm rest screw would make contact. The bottom edges are separating (de-laminating?) and I ordered new ones from Legendary Auto Interiors. Put a big scratch on the other side panel with the seat and put a nice scratch in the painted steel panel above the that panel when I went to put the rear seat back. Fixed the arm rest, though, but added two more problems.

 

[oldbee]

I took the panel off and the arm rest clip was sitting it the track. I had to tape it in place to hold it in the track correctly so that the arm rest screw would make contact. The bottom edges are separating (de-laminating?) and I ordered new ones from Legendary Auto Interiors. Put a big scratch on the other side panel with the seat and put a nice scratch in the painted steel panel above the that panel when I went to put the rear seat back. Fixed the arm rest, though, but added two more problems.

Lol, that’s what happens sometimes; I’ve repaired the upper scratch twice on mine.

 

[1969CoronetR/T]

I used tape to hold the screw retaining clips for the arm rests. Is there a different way to keep them in place? The top slides into the groove, but then the hole is below the slit so it needs elevated a quarter inch. There has to be better way although the tape worked to hold it up from behind the panel.

 

[oldbee]

Can’t honestly remember how it mounts, but I would think bending a little tighter in the groove? Mine have never fallen out & I would think they have to float a little for the screw to grab them.

 

[YY1]

The panel floats in the trim...and the base floats on the panel (but has locator pins).

The only hard mount is the arm rest to the body.

It's a little 'fussy" to get the screws in, but knowing the above should help.