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My 2003 R53S with 36K miles had the windshield replaced under warranty 19 years ago. I can only guess that this A pillar trim may have been damaged at that time as no other repair work has been done to the windshield or door since. Only Mini mechanics have worked on this car. Do you think I could get this piece bent back for a better fit ? I was thinking of using near boiling water to soften the plastic to a point it could be massaged back into place. I assume it has a clear coat on the surface and don't know if boiling water would destroy the finish or not. I can't tell you how many times in my lift I have tried to repair things and just made them worse
It's not a clear coat. That is the sheen of the plastic itself.
I'm surprised that it bent. Usually they are so easily cracked.
I've worked with a lot of plastics and honestly you may possibly make it worse by trying to reform it.
However - Your consideration with respect to boiling water would be the right approach.
New pillars were around $65 last time I purchased one about a year or so.
If you don't mind rummaging you local salvage yard - they are about $5 - $10.
Looks like someone had a screw driver in there - No cracking- just deformed. Could a car wash have done this? I'm not confident boiling water is hot enough but a heat gun would be a nervous moment. So w/o a clear coat it is possible to buff it. I love salvage yards but they are far and few between in L.A. area. I have a few larger fish to contend with but it is on my growing list of projects. THX
* I hope I didn't come off sounding pretentious in my initial reply.
I will say that, In my opinion; a heat gun would probably do more damage than very hot/boiling water. Handling with a pair of oven mitts would be advisable if not recommended.
I do enjoy weekend salvage yard adventures. The next time I'm out exploring the remains of timeless treasures I'll keep an eye out/pick one up for you.
No worries if you have already scored one by then - good spare parts are always a good thing to have on hand.
Here2go- No pretension what so ever. - I really don't mind buying new one - I just get a charge out making the broken usable again. Once you have the "farmer's mindset" it never leaves. The trick is getting just the correct temperature to be workable w/o getting mushy. If I get close to a salvage yard, I certainly will look but I'm a little doubtful I would find a clean enough one to meet my standards. Odds are I will try this and fail but that's all right.
A common problem I’ve seen on this forum with re-used A pillar trim is they have a tendency to fly off. Maybe they were being re-installed without replacing the mounting tape, or checking for broken fasteners, but it seems like this is posted in a lot of the windshield replacement threads.
Here2go- No pretension what so ever. - I really don't mind buying new one - I just get a charge out making the broken usable again. Once you have the "farmer's mindset" it never leaves. The trick is getting just the correct temperature to be workable w/o getting mushy. If I get close to a salvage yard, I certainly will look but I'm a little doubtful I would find a clean enough one to meet my standards. Odds are I will try this and fail but that's all right.
Thanks for that.
And same here = I beleive in nothing is inexorable.
I imagine we may have the same mindset when it comes to at least giving it "the ole' college try"
BTW: I just pulled a pair from the salvage yard this morning.
EDIT/Addendum: It was 87° / 92% humidity @ 10 am this morning while at the salvage yard. = Sorry - the passenger side seat belt was a no go (heat + lack of tools)
I'm sure the weather was much nicer this morning in Redondo....I used to live on Carnagie Ln many, many years ago.
Thanks for that.
And same here = I beleive in nothing is inexorable.
I imagine we may have the same mindset when it comes to at least giving it "the ole' college try"
BTW: I just pulled a pair from the salvage yard this morning.
EDIT/Addendum: It was 87° / 92% humidity @ 10 am this morning while at the salvage yard. = Sorry - the passenger side seat belt was a no go (heat + lack of tools)
I'm sure the weather was much nicer this morning in Redondo....I used to live on Carnagie Ln many, many years ago.
Yes- much more comfortable here in Redondo. 60* mornings and 70* days never get boring. I've been living on a boat for years ! I couldn't resit and just had to pull the A pillar trim off. This trim is the old design 51137073472. I was surprised there was no long foam gasket behind it. One foam piece at the top corner (see photo) Then a 1/2" x 1/4" piece of weather stripping on both the plastic trim and frame. I can’t fathom how the trim got so distorted without heat. The top is bent as well as the leading edge. It will never be the same. The long foam panel/piece is shown for the 2003 model year @realoem. I assume I should order one of them even though it is not on this car.
Has anyone seen a pillar trim installation w/o the long foam gasket ? Could there be a reason the dealer did this during the windshield replacemnt ? Pelican auto is just down the road 20 miles and has the trim, gasket and clips so I'll make the trip soon. Is this the correct clip to order ? https://tinyurl.com/ycxwx5k3
THX a bunch
Edit: Her2go- Thx so much for thinking of the seat belt. I bet your a great neighbor. I found the exact belt on the bay. Was just delivered today.
Future projects: Cooling fan replacement, coolant flush, door speakers, headliner one day, leather brake boot. It's 21st birthday in Sept. and looks great.
Yes - Those are the correct retaining "button" clips for the exterior A pillar trim. A nice little bonus; as those pictured even have the little "O" rubber gaskets with them.
My 04 R53 (build date 10.'03) did have the original full size/ large pillar gasket as well.
. Usually they are so easily cracked.
