S2 A pillar interior capping removal?

[TheOrs]

Hi there

 

Firstly, I have introduced myself to the forum here: https://forums.thelotusforums.com/topic/121599-1st-lotus-1978-esprit-s2-needs-work-🙂-/

I've been lurking for a little while, mostly reading people's resto threads, but I am now well into my own partial rebuild & I have questions.  I am wondering how the interior A pillar capping trim piece is removed.

I have removed the rubber seal from around the door aperture & I can see in behind the interior trim on the A pillar.  It appears to be held on by two plastic pins, about 1/3rd & 2/3rds of the way down the pillar.  I can get a punch on these pins by pulling the trim gently away from the body, but the pins don't seem to want to move.  I'm guessing they have some sort of barb on them & they're intended to be a sacrificial part.

Any ideas on how to get these trims off without damaging them or the car?

 

TIA 👍

Darren

 

[LOTUSMAN33]

Hi Darren

The interior A post finisher has three metal clips which fit into three plastic inserts. They should just pop away without much force. The clips can get a little rusty sometimes.

Happy to pop over if you want some help and guidance 👍🏻

[CarBuff]

47 minutes ago, LOTUSMAN33 said:

They should just pop away without much force.

To further clarify:  They should be pulled directly towards the center.  Either --> or <--.

[TheOrs]

OK, thanks guys.  I think I'm missing something.  They seem solid.  Maybe they've been modified.  I'll take some photo's.

[CarBuff]

I also wondered if they were BONDED to the A pillars. 😬

 

You need to pull FIRMLY. I know, I know, you don't want to risk breaking the windscreen....

[Steve V8]

4 hours ago, CarBuff said:

I also wondered if they were BONDED to the A pillars. 😬

Those grp trims can get fragile and often bodged back into place when broken, the most ingenious one I've seen (which was on an S2), 15mm copper pipe bonded to the inside of the A pillar trim with those white plastic pipe clips screwed to the body.

[TheOrs]

So, problem solved.

Dave (Lotusman33) popped round this morning and just pulled it off!  Thanks Dave!  To be fair to me, he did say it was a bit more stuck than usual.  Now I can see how it fits, I have more confidence to pull a bit harder when I come to do the driver's side.

I've added a couple of photo's for future reference.