Fiero Tips and Tricks

Sail Panels Have you ever wondered how that sail panel is held to the body? The picture here to the right show an 85 SE with the panel removed. I recommend you remove it if you are going to paint your car or if you need to repaint the panel. Please note that if you only want to replace the plastic sail panel, it can without removing it from the car. Removed the plastic panel by working putty knife at each corner carefully. It will start to lift and crack, and break off. Just work carefully. Once the quarter panel is removed, use 3M General Purpose Adhesive Cleaner (PN 051135-08984) to remove the old double-sided tape. Clean the panel well and then replace the tape (3M PN 05131-06384) and install the new plastic sail panel. Removing the Sail Panel Remove the seats from the car. Remove the seat belt bolts and the upper rear trim piece. Look through the lower hole and remove the nut. Lift the front of the sail panel about a quarter to one half inch. Find the two tabs protruding into the body skin. I have found two types of fasteners that hold the rear of the panel in place. The first type has a lever. Work these loose, you may try a scribe with a right angle to get behind the tab and pull back a little to release. The second type has a threaded stud that pushes through a metal clip on the body. Lift the sail panel off. Installing the Sail Panel Install all the clips on the Sail Panel and align the Sail Panel with the rear holes and the front hole and push it in place. Reinstall the nut on the front stud. BACK

removing the nut to release the forward clip 85 Fiero with sail panel removed Tab piece that holds rear of Sail Panel (Type 1) Metal clip on 85 fiero Threaded stud that pushes through the metal clip