Diy -- Coupe C-pillar Removal

*** DIY – COUPE C-PILLAR REMOVAL ***


TOOLS NEEDED

-- Small flat head screw driver
-- T-25 Torx ( I used my small flat head screw driver as it fir perfect )


Step 1. Take the small flat head screw driver and from the underneath of the light push it in between the light and the panel. This is a very tight fit. Also be careful as to not brake the clear light cover as you pry up. These are the 2 points I used to pry up on the light (see picture). Unclip the wires from the back and you’re now ready for step 2.



Step 2. Use the T-25 Torx and take screw out.


Step 3. Pull the panel out by using the hole in the panel that the light came out of and your other hand at the very top of the panel. There is 2 clips at the very top that hold this panel in. Look at picture for location of clips. You’re going to have to pull out very hard so don’t be afraid to break it. Once you get the top out then all you need to do is pull the bottom out. There are no clips or screws and the bottom so just pull on it.

THAT’S IT YOU’RE DONE

thanks this is very helpful man

I broke a plastic clip on reinstallation. Make sure everything is lined up when reinstalling.

I took out the c-pillar on the sedan without removing the light first. just took out the bulbbracket from the back

Thanks for the info.

Here in Florida, the heat makes all of the fabric separate from all of the the A/B/C-Pillars.

Roof starting to as well.

What do you do to glue back the fabric?

Originally Posted by danGIMP

What do you do to glue back the fabric?

My mother owns a upholstery business and she had one of her workers do all my panels for me. A, B and C.

I have not a clue what he used but will ask and post it back on here.

Thanks
Chuck

subscribed

Hey I am doing my pillars as we speak and for anyone who comes across this thread can send me a message for help on any of the pillars. To glue the pillars back o down to Michael's and buy Aleene's Fast Grab Tacky Spray this is what I recommend to everyone especially for lighter interior cars. 3M is good too but can cause some discoloration. This spray does not cause discoloration, bleeding of glue, or wrinkles after time.

i did my pillars not too long ago. the front was probably the hardest because 2/3 of the screws were a pita to unscrew. everything else was easily accessible.

How easy would it be to re wrap the pillars. The A's have already been replaced but the B and C or done.

If this fairly easy just let me know what adhesive and fabric to use

I need to do this as well, as the fabric on my c-pillars is coming off. Anyone know what the correct adhesive to use would be?

Silly me, I didn't read the previous posts carefully enough.

Aleene's Fast Grab Tacky Spray it is.

Just completed C-Pillar reglue. It looks like 3M is going to leave a film, appears to soak through thin cloth. My C-Pillar were attached w/ common door clips (2 at top), as stated this piece should be removed carefully and up & out (after release of clips), not at an angle. I believe the 3rd tail light was redesigned at 9/99, so the same may apply to the C pillars. Both appear to attach w/ door clips now.

Originally Posted by kbsport

Just completed C-Pillar reglue. It looks like 3M is going to leave a film, appears to soak through thin cloth. My C-Pillar were attached w/ common door clips (2 at top), as stated this piece should be removed carefully and up & out (after release of clips), not at an angle. I believe the 3rd tail light was redesigned at 9/99, so the same may apply to the C pillars. Both appear to attach w/ door clips now.

Yeah I just did the same thing too and the 3M was really sticky, it soaked through the cloth so I only did the edges. I have some stains on there from the spray soaking through. Not the best result but it's better than seeing it hang. Definitely a sticky, messy diy and would not want to have to do it again.
Anyone know what I can use to remove stains on the cloth?

Good Job Poorboyz,
Just a few days ago I noticed my C-Pillar fabric hanging and was wondering how to take these out to repair them.
Thanks

Great DIY, thank you for the pics. I would definitely have broken that map light into a ton of pieces without seeing the pics and knowing exactly where to pry it out.

Need to do all my pillars. I have a face lift sedan. Anything too
Different?
How do I remove the A pillar and B pillar? Also where Can I buy the adhesive ?

Originally Posted by KohbraxE46

Need to do all my pillars. I have a face lift sedan. Anything too
Different?
How do I remove the A pillar and B pillar? Also where Can I buy the adhesive ?

A pillars are pretty straight forward, just pry up the little piece in the middle of the A-pillar and remove the torx screws.

The B-pillar DIY is below.

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthr...064&highlight=

niceeee....i was looking for this

I tried a couple of other glues on my old 328i and they all tend to bleed through/get hard. THE BEST adhesive that I've found is the Krylon Spray Adhesive - available at your local hobby/craft/art store. Peel the fabric back (or take it completely off if it's real bad), spray the mounting surface (careful with overspray), leave it for a couple of seconds to get tacky, then smooth the fabric back on. Looks just like it came from the factory; nice and soft and uniform without any hardness!

Be careful not to spray too much as it will pool and bleed through as well, leaving it looking like it was dipped in salt water or something. Use the same 'form' as you would for a can of spray paint. You'll see the area get covered in what looks like a 'frost' and that will be enough. Hope that helps...