LX Rear Quarter Panel Cladding Removal??

[Dissent]

Does anyone have pics or a link to how the rear quarter panel cladding is held on on an LX450? It's the piece that incorporates the rear marker light. I have a new bumper that is pushing up on the cladding and I want to remove it and trim it up but I can't figure out how it's held on. Thanks in advance!

 

[retlaw]

Does anyone have pics or a link to how the rear quarter panel cladding is held on on an LX450? It's the piece that incorporates the rear marker light. I have a new bumper that is pushing up on the cladding and I want to remove it and trim it up but I can't figure out how it's held on. Thanks in advance!

I removed mine when repairing rust damage, but my memory is vague on how they are attached. Have you looked in the rear quarter inside panels?
I seem to recall something like velcro or tape held the end that was curved around to the rear. I also recall water ingress from fasteners or maybe the rear marker lights. Sorry, I dont have any solid info!

 

[Dissent]

I can see the front end has some sort of metal clip fastened to the sheet metal but it's pulled away from the cladding. There's some tape in the corner but that's all I can determine. I haven't dug into the inner wall yet, was hoping to gain some insight on here first.

 

[Kernal]

@Dissent: haven't worked on the cladding (Moulding or Molding) for an LX450 myself but you may find a diagram if you go to Partsouq and type in your VIN then go to Body, Body Exterior, etc and look for the diagram showing the Moulding or Molding. OR, after typing in your VIN go to SEARCH and type in MOULDING. That should bring up an exploded view of the parts and various clip locations.

Here's one diagram but it doesn't show the exact locations of the clips/fasteners FWIW

For the Moulding on the quarter panels some of those clips will likely be found on the backside (inside) of the quarter panel ie: go inside the cargo area and remove the plastic panel.

MOULDING. 1997 Lexus LX 450 | Lexus Parts & Accessories Online - https://parts.lexus.com/a/Lexus_1997_LX-450/_65510_6725590/MOULDING/792440-7552.html?assemblySearchGuid=8011AF9C-DEA3-4F34-BEA3-C2AE641319FB

 

[Jeeper]

Backside photo attached. 6 plastic clips and some spot Velcro in the wrap around corner

 

[Dissent]

Thanks guys, I managed to get it off and all but 1x mounting location is broken off. I'll JB-Weld it back together with some new clips. There's no screws, just green sockets with square holes that snap into the body. Then green pegs with a rectangle base slide onto the tabs on the cladding and snap in. Looks like the "ideal" way to remove it is to pry the velcro away from the truck on the rear, then pry the clip free on the corner near the velcro, looks like the whole thing could slide rearward and not break any tabs or clips. Mine had tape along the top so you'd have to pull it away gently but that seems like the most reasonable way to remove it.

Once the male green pegs are removed (or what's left of them) the green female clips in the body could then be pushed out from the inside.

 

[Azca]

When using the JB weld, reinforce with steel mesh to prevent future cracking. May want to weld the mesh into place before using the JB weld. Plastic welders are inexpensive and more useful than I would have thought.

 

[Kernal]

For future reference/searches, got any photos to post up of the locations on the body where the clips attach?

 

[Jeeper]

 

[Kernal]

That's a good example of how many holes have to be filled in when, for example, an LX450 owner decides to remove all that Moulding permanently.