package shelf refit

[Fleetwood]

Replaced my drivers side seat belt and I'm having trouble getting the rear package shelf screwed back into place. Two long thin black sheet metal type screws with finish washers for the top and two shorter ones for the bottom. I believe they should screw into some raised tabs below but I'll be darned if I can find the holes thru the upholstered panel. Are there any special tips or secrets to get this panel secured?

You'd think I could find one or two of the holes but no luck which leads me to believe the whole panel is not reaching its happy spot. Lots of pressing, reorienting, even some fist pounds but no luck. I keep trying to blame the stereo installers from 40 yrs ago but the screws seemed secure when I backed them out

The "friction fit" is holding things currently with no rattles but I'd like to get this properly put back together. Thanks ahead for the counsel

[rwest]

I recently fitted a new one and a few things I did besides swearing was to measure where the holes on the body were and used an awl to located the holes through the panel.

Note that there is a metal tab on the part that goes into a loop on the body.

[Mark Salvetti]

I've always wondered about this. You could try threading a much longer screw into the holes first. Cut off the head, give it a wrap with some Teflon tape, then install the parcel shelf over them and push them through the holes in the shelf.

But I think it might be easier to just drill new holes. I don't think there are any tabs, just holes in the firewall.

Mark

[salayc]

A straight dental pick works well to find screw holes.

[smadsen]

Ice pick. Long nail. Drift. Phillips screw driver. Punch. Nail set.

Then drill a new hole in the wrong spot.

[tributeventures]

I am looking for a source for a new parcel shelf.
Suggestions please.

[Mark Salvetti]

I got mine on the B&S forum, but it took many months before one turned up that was in good enough shape. Mine is a Targa as well, which is less common than the coupe.

You could post a WTB, but be careful of scammers contacting you.

Mark

[Fleetwood]

Thanks to all for the ideas. Currently trying to motivate myself to climb back there with a long thin awl and a tape measure. Success seems much closer with these tips

RWest please tell me more about "a metal tab on the part that goes into a loop on the body." All I found was the loop on the body with a very small hole in it that may not be large enough for the screws that secure the package shelf upholstery ?? Are these like the small metal clips that capture the screws and fit into mounts that hold say the rear side window bottom trim in place?

Also considered drilling new holes but we'll try these ideas first. Any other tips? Thanks again

[David Inc.]

There is a small metal tab or loop that sticks out from the firewall in the middle of shelf on the horizontal face. It lines up with a hook on the backside of the shelf so that you put the shelf in then "drop" it into place to lock it in. The screws retain the outside but it's that hook that holds the sucker in place.

[Mark Salvetti]

This tab on the back of the parcel shelf:


Slips into this slot:


And you were right, there are tabs on the lower corners that the screws fasten to, but mine doesn't have these on the top corners. It is the top corner screws that also fasten the short straps that hold up the back seats.


Mark