Convertible Owners - Trunk Rust

[SnipeJDM]

Hello Everyone. I'm new here, but not really. Been a member since 2003 when I had my first Fox. Picked up a '92 vert this past weekend that is a really solid car. Got a little vortech on with some suspension upgrades. However I did get a surprise today when I started detailing the trunk.

I realized that the carpet was damp when I was removing it then discovered where the water was probably coming from. There was plumbers putty at each corner of the trunk drip rail thing. I scraped it all off and realized that it was rusted pretty bad. I'm going to have to cut it out and make a patch without a doubt.

My question is how do I remove the rear of the convertible top to access that rail? Theres a small panel also just forward of the trunk lid with 5 small screws in it. How do I remove it?

Has anyone else had this problem? See the pic.

 

[Onefine88]

No, luckily I haven't had trouble with rust in that area.

You can disconnect the back if the convertible top from the rear quarter panels and trunk area by climbing in the backseat with the top closed but not latched to the windshield. Remove the black vinyl well liner behind the backseat. Then you'll have access to the large mounting brackets holding the top to the car. Unbolt those and pull the top and brackets loose from the car and let it hang loosely by the frame.
That will make the next step alot easier.

To remove that panel with the five screws above the rusted area, reach under the edges where the top was mounted to the quarter panels and trunk panel. Feel for the small "nuts on studs" holding down the "black trim" surrounding the top. They are usually buried in a putty to keep from tearing the lower edges of the top when its up. This putty flakes off easily. Remove all the nuts and remove the black trim and trunk hinge covers. The trunk hinge covers are mounted the same way.
Once you remove this trim and hinge covers you'll be able to lift off that finish panel above the trunk.

Hope this helps,
Good Luck!!

 

[stykthyn]

Check your luggage rack. The rivets on my old car developed a leak and that's where all my water started coming from. I eventually sold it due to the rust creeping out from the trunk.

 

[Lemonade]

Ouch! That's not the kind of surprise you want to find. Fortunately for me, my car does not have any issues as such.

Lems

 

[SnipeJDM]

Consider yourself lucky.

Uncovered more this weekend. Didn't pull it all off, but I did peel the convertible well liner out from the backseat so I could see into the drip rail. There was a TON of seam sealer in there that looks like it was done from the factory. I imagine that over 20 years that water has gotten under it and attacked the metal. Taking it today to a bodyshop to see if it's something within their capabilities. If not, I will be tackling it myself and taking plenty of photos. I'll make some how-to thread, though it will be mostly flying blind. Metal panel cut-out and replacement is no small project especially considering the area.

 

[quartermileking]

It must be a leak from the luggage rack. Shaved mine years ago. If you have to do all that metal work you mine as well to shave the rac & keyhole . With the keyhole shaved they dont try to pop your lock with a screwdriver eather good luck