Ok, so for my last post of today... I started tear down this weekend. I ensure to take a picture of each component on then as I take off each bolt. I usually take more than one picture. I place each bolt into a ziploc bag that is named for the component. I try to label the bolts if there are more than one and different sizes. If you need any pictures or bolt sizes I would be happy to add them here or send them directly to you. I have omitted some (allot) of pictures so this post isn't massive, but if people are needing more information, I will add more detail (like bolt sizes) as time permits. I didn't remove everything in the order I describe here, I jumped around a bit, but only out of ignorance and difficulty. If I get stuck with a part, I tend to take a break from that part and come back to it. Hopefully I will break less things doing it this way.
I started with the seat belt receiver on the passenger side.
The driver side is the same, but it has a wire that connects on the passenger side. You have to trace back to the plug on that side (Center console and seats need to be removed first).
Off to a great start! So easy.... This will all be a cinch! 🤦♂️
Onto... Quarter panel trim. Let me just say, I already hate the push pin rivets that were used on these cars. I have used a small screw driver to push the small pin but it takes so much force I have cracked and broken several connection points and interior panels. I think this also has to do with how brittle the interior plastic pieces are, but still! This rivets are a pain!
There are two screws, one for the coat hangar, one in the middle towards the front. The rest are the push pin rivets. Also, note, the overhead light panel has to be removed first. (You can see the push pin rivet at the top of the picture above.). The rear hatch trim should be removed first, but the quarter panel trim can be removed without it removed.
The speaker and lower portion can be removed next. They are attached by some rivets that are not visible. You have to slide the panel up then pull. I don't have great pictures of this. There is serious potential of damaging the holes that the rivets slide through if you are not careful. I will probably make new panels out of plastic and a different cover as well. I didn't take a picture of this, but I can if someone needs to see the back of these panels as it could help you understand the removal process.
Another portion I didn't take a picture of is the vinyl wheel house covering. It is pretty easy to remove using a plastic spatula and then just pulling it slowly. It came off slowly and easily.
Passenger/Driver side Seatbelt Male end removal:
There are two 16mm bolts that hold the portion mounted to the floor. You have to remove the two screws on the cover to get to the second 16mm bolt. I had to use a breaker bar for one the visible 16mm bolt. It was stuck in there! For the screws, on both the passenger and driver side I had to use a wrench to turn the screws. A screwdriver would have stripped the screws.
Below you can see the second "hidden" 16mm bolt.
Below are the washers attached to the "hidden" bolt.
Next up is the retractor part attached to the rear shock towers. It has a 16mm bolt that attaches the retractor and a 12mm bolt that attaches the retractor base plate to the shock tower. The retractor blocks the 12mm bolt, so it has to be removed first. Once the retractor and retractor plate bolts are off, you just give the plate a bit of a tug and it should come right off. Both passenger and driver side are identical to this process.
Center Console:
My center console is in bad shape. It is cracked right before the arm rest portion. I had to be careful not to break it in half during this process. The first parts that have to be removed for the center console are the piece on driver and passenger side below the steering column and glove box, respectively. Each have two screws that need to be removed.
After those pieces are removed, I would suggest removing the AC knob and undoing the nut that holds it to the center console. Also, unplug the electrical harness connections ( you can see these on the passenger side picture on the left side). I found it hard to disconnect the AC knob wires and easier to just undo the knob from the console.
Then remove the screws (two on each side and three in the arm rest box).
I thought I had pictures of the screws inside the armrest, but I can't find them right now. Still transferring pictures over and labeling them.
That is where I am now more or less. On a fun note, during the disassembly, I found a spare key that fits the car, a quarter made of silver, hornet nests, a lizard skeleton, and a snake skin! This car hasn't been registered since 1999, so it sat for a while here in Texas with who knows what making it their home!
One question, I can't open the glove box with the key or turn the knob. Any suggestions or ideas?