Targa bar seal removal...

redridge · 10-21-2011, 11:12 AM

Gonna work on the targa bar.... Anyone know how to remove these parts from the seal.... I got the rubber plugs off, but dont really know how it mounts and dont just want to pry it off since Im afraid of breaking them. TIA

Justin@Athens · Justin@Athens's Garage

The plastic rivets will just pull out with pliers, or if you choose you can drill them out. You will have to replace them anyway so don't worry about damaging them. There is a little hole that goes through the center of them, it is hidden by a little cap that goes in the very center--sometimes they fall out or were never put back in by a PO. They look like drywall anchors without the center cap installed.

redridge · 01:14 PM

thank you... does the "anchors" go behind the targa bar cover... Is it possible to remove the bar cover without removing these anchors? Thanks again.

Edit:.... never mind, I see how it goes now... they look like these.

Justin@Athens · Justin@Athens's Garage

No, they will have to come out. There are some other threads on reinserting them. They are cheap from our host so please don't fret on replacing them. Also, they are not integral to keeping the seal in place, so depending on how frugal you want to be you could do without them for some period of time.

redridge · 10-21-2011, 01:27 PM

Thanks Justin!

JT912 · 10-21-2011, 03:33 PM

On my '68 I was able to get the Targa bar cover off without removing these pins. Granted the seal was shot and I don't remember if the cover comes off w/o the seal. I don't think the seal can remain attached if you are pulling the cover off necessitating pulling the pins.

redridge · 10-21-2011, 05:20 PM

I just did this tonight.... you can remove the bar cover without taking out these plastic pin as long as the seal is no longer glued to the bar, but as justin states... if you want to R&R the seal, you have to remove these pins.

Justin@Athens · Justin@Athens's Garage

Be advised, that little rubber gasket that surrounds the roof pin receptacle (shown in the pic above) is a special order part, heres what you are going to need:

Rivets X4

Rivet Caps X4

Aligning Seal (prevents water from running in here) X2

Speed nuts (probably the most crucial to putting everything back together) X6 (2 extra, just b/c you cannot get these just anywhere, and they are in numerous places on your car)

I recommend Evercoat's Metal to Metal as probably your best and only choice for leveling on the targa bar. You cannot really use a dolly on it unless you just have some really nasty indentations you want out.

Powdercoat the thing if you want the best finish, or SEM Hot Rod Black is a great OEM looking finish too.

Aircraft grade paint stripper will get it down to bare metal but will be messy, or you can get it soda blasted, or hell--just spray paint the thing on the car!

Other threads detail what kind of rattle can products you might choose to use.

Good luck, and shoot some pics when you are through!