How do I reinstall the body molding if it comes off??

[mattovibe]

I have a 2003 Vibe and a piece of the plastic molding, or cladding, or whatever it is called got caught on something I pulled out the side and it came off of 3 clips. That rattled when I drove so I thought I would take it the rest of the way off and try to put it back on completely. BAD IDEA for me. Now I have all the bare T-shaped clips and the piece that goes over the rear passenger wheel well and back of the door frame separated. I can't slide it back onto the clips because the bumper and bottom molding, which goes from front to back, are in the way of either side getting started. I'm wondering if this is a problem I can fix or if I need to take it to a dealer. All I need is to loosen one of those other pieces of molding enough to get this one in, I think. Anyone gone through this? I really don't know how to loosen either of those or if I should even open that can of worms.

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[shemp]

The first question I have is: Did you rip or distort any of the doghouses on the cladding that those white clips were in? If the doghouses are good, the next thing you need to do is to get those white clips out of the sheetmetal (they probably look like the clip below). You might destroy them when you pry them out, and if so you will need to get some new ones. Those white clips should snap into the cladding, then the part will easily snap on the car. I doubt you will ever be able to put the part on the car with the clips already installed.The white clips in the car are probably something like this:

[lovemyraffe]

I will suggest drinking lots and lots of beer and staring at it with a blank look on your face hoping for inspiration.

[Caretaker]

I'd rip it all off and repaint the car. I'm sick of the cladding on my '03. Sure would be unique!!

[scherry2]

Quote, originally posted by shemp »if you take your time and ues a small flat blade screwdriver to push in the side of the clip while lifting. then push on the other side of the clip and it will pop right out. really it will trust me. if not just grab ahold of them with a side cutters and just pry em out and replace them all.

[Wolfman213]

Quote, originally posted by Caretaker »I'd rip it all off and repaint the car. I'm sick of the cladding on my '03. Sure would be unique!!That would be pretty different and possible neat with all the side moldings/cladding off. The only bad things is that it will leave the holes in the car. Someone took a picture of a body at NUMMI (I believe) prior to anything being done to it and unless you are a good body person, you're screwed.