Dart Sport plastic sail panel installation help

[dicksmidlac]

Does anyone know a trick to installing these.They feel like they will snap before they get into place.Any help is really appreciated

 

[TF360]

They are difficult. I believe you have to kind of slide and maneuver them in don't force too much or they will crack.

 

[dicksmidlac]

Thanks for the reply.Just thought there might be a trick to it.These things feel very brittle.Ill give it another try.

 

[TF360]

I have done it a few times, but I cant remember exactly. I want to say start close to where the door opens and slide it close to the body carefully. Get that piece close to the pop out window to go under carefully.

 

[dicksmidlac]

Thought for sure it was gonna break but I got it in!! Thanks

 

[Demonic]

I am surprised they haven't figured how to 3D print them yet.

 

[middleagecrisis]

Thought for sure it was gonna break but I got it in!! Thanks

I wish you would have shared your trick on how to get these things in. I’ve been fighting the sail panels on my 75 Duster for about two hours now and cannot get them to go in. I did a search of images on the web and I see the sale panels over the top of the rear window rubber gasket and underneath. Underneath looks like that is the way the factory did it and I can get them to fit over the top, but it just doesn’t look right. Any suggestions on getting these d*#n sail panels installed without cracking them?

 

[72bluNblu]

Heat gun. Warm them up and some of their flexibility should return. Obviously don’t melt them.

They’re 50 year old plastic, and they will definitely crack if you give them the business. Some are more brittle than others.

 

[middleagecrisis]

Great suggestion! I did manage to get one on without cracking anything. However, the next big challenge is trying to get the screw holes lined up with the body. The other panel will have to wait until the JB plastic weld reinforces the new crack. They are definitely a PIA to put in! I had to fight the one panel about 1/64” at a time to finally get them over the rear window hinge, the whole time sweating that the panel was gonna crack.