Sail panel trim split (Page 1/1)
Indy-453 SEP 17, 11:18 PM
Is there any way to repair the sail panel "rubber" trim? It split where the mounting bracket is.

Or do I need to visit the salvage yard / ebay?





Thanks
Patrick SEP 18, 12:33 AM

It split because it shrank and got brittle over the years. By any chance, was this the side that faced the sun while parked year after year?

I believe the notchie sail panels are still relatively available (on the used market obviously). Keep in mind that they're not all the same. I don't remember if it's just the 84's that are glass, but at some point they were all changed to plastic.
theogre SEP 18, 02:52 AM
the whole thing is different for 84 besides the Glass.
later panels have little to help 84 except to maybe replace them completely.

Expect to Pay a lot for 84 sail panels.

------------------
Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should.
(Jurassic Park)

The Ogre's Fiero Cave

Patrick SEP 18, 03:43 AM

quote
Originally posted by theogre:

the whole thing is different for 84 besides the Glass.



I didn't state it as such... but of course yes, the entire sail panel is different with the ones that are glass verses plastic.

If a replacement glass sail panel can't be found for a decent price, it might be advisable to replace both sides with the later, more common plastic versions... and sell off the one good glass sail panel.

[EDIT] I looked up an old thread of mine from over 12 years ago. Might be worthwhile for the OP to look at, as the 84's glass sail panels can be a nuisance.

Is it possible to paint the outside of the glass on '84 sail panels?

[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 09-18-2022).]

fierofool SEP 18, 04:03 PM
That quarter window appears to be 85 or later judging by the cracks in the 'window' portion. The glass panels didn't experience that. The 84 and 85 notchback quarter windows had metal pins on the trailing edge of the window and metal clips on the roofline flange that helped to secure it to the car. Later years used a larger round plastic expansion pin that simply inserted through a larger hole in the roofline flange. They can be retrofitted by simply drilling a larger hole, or installing the metal clips, whichever applies to the quarter window being used. I installed later year quarterwindows on an 85 by simply drilling larger holes to accept the larger plastic pins.
Patrick SEP 18, 06:00 PM

quote
Originally posted by fierofool:

That quarter window appears to be 85 or later judging by the cracks in the 'window' portion.



With the amount of dirt on it, I didn't even notice.

Would also probably help if people would mention the year of the Fiero they're asking about.
Indy-453 SEP 18, 07:04 PM

quote
Originally posted by Patrick:

Would also probably help if people would mention the year of the Fiero they're asking about.



That would be helpful. Its an 84 Indy, production number 453.

The panels definitely feel like glass, the "cracks" are actually reflections of the terrible drywall in the garage (masked by the dirt ). So basically, my options are to source 1 replacement unit made of glass, or source a pair of later plastic panels and then modify the mounts to accept the larger plastic pins? I don't have to worry about mounting points moving or anything like that?
Patrick SEP 18, 07:09 PM

quote
Originally posted by Indy-453:

Its an 84 Indy, production number 453.



I suspected as much, due to your username... but we can't always go by that.


quote
Originally posted by Indy-453:

I don't have to worry about mounting points moving or anything like that?



It's pretty straightforward once you're looking at and comparing the two mounting styles. The biggest hassle is the need to remove the interior panels in order to gain access... but I guess you've already done that with one side!

[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 09-18-2022).]

Indy-453 SEP 18, 07:28 PM

quote
Originally posted by Patrick:

It's pretty straightforward once you're looking at and comparing the two mounting styles. The biggest hassle is the need to remove the interior panels in order to gain access... but I guess you've already done that with one side!




Alright, pretty straight forward then. Did not know about the different styles of panels. Ive had bigger hassles on this car.... Like foing from this



To this
fierofool SEP 22, 10:48 AM
As I recall, the plastic pins are located at the same point as the metal pins. All I had to do was enlarge the holes in the body flange. You can take a few measurements from the corners of the trailing edge to compare placement.

I'm assuming you were successful in retaining the nut you removed from the inside. I dropped my first one into the body but was lucky enough to find it with a magnetic pickup. I learned at that point to put a little dab of windshield setting tape into my socket when removing the other one and installing the new ones.