Birty Dastards Jeep Club

Tech Forum => Workshop => Topic started by: Simon J on November 24, 2010, 08:47:24 PM

Title: A-pillar trim panel removal - Cherokee 2004
Post by: Simon J on November 24, 2010, 08:47:24 PM
I need to remove the A-pillar trim panels (and grab handles) in order to remove the top dash panel to route the wiring for my iPod adapter. Does anyone know what size the bolts are that secure the grab handles? One instruction guide I found said they were T25 Torx but they aren't - they are regular hexagonal bolts, but I don't have my tool kit anywhere near to hand and need to go out and buy a slim socket that will fit, but what size to buy?

Title: Re: A-pillar trim panel removal - Cherokee 2004
Post by: Simon J on November 24, 2010, 08:51:54 PM
Having used the search facility without success before posting, the Related Topics listed below my post provided the answer - it's a 5.5mm bolt head. Now where to find a slim socket to fit that???
Title: Re: A-pillar trim panel removal - Cherokee 2004
Post by: eastryjeep on November 25, 2010, 12:52:24 PM
So you want a  :tool: then sir!
That'll be a 7/32" socket from a Halfords 3/8" drive set you want then!
Google for Halfords then Socket set on their site - the 'Phaze 50' looks to be on sale at £9.99, not that I have a vested interest or 'owt but that is pretty cheap!

Good luck and dont forget to post the pics of the WIP for anyone else!
Title: Re: A-pillar trim panel removal - Cherokee 2004
Post by: Simon J on December 03, 2010, 08:35:53 PM
Thanks eastryjeep but as you can see from my location I'm some way from a Halfords at the moment. I did go to my local tool emporium - a BauMarkt - but they didn't have anything smaller than 6mm. So I guess it'll have to wait until I'm back home at Christmas and I may even have a socket that size in my tool box at home. And I'll try and take some pics. As you say they could be of use to others in due course.
Title: Re: A-pillar trim panel removal - Cherokee 2004
Post by: Bulldog67 on December 03, 2010, 08:42:08 PM
if u wanna show me what ya want with a link i can go buy for ya and post to u dood
Title: Re: A-pillar trim panel removal - Cherokee 2004
Post by: Panic mechanic! on December 03, 2010, 08:45:16 PM
if u wanna show me what ya want with a link i can go buy for ya and post to u dood

can you get me one of these mate?
(https://birtydastards.com/frm/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philday.com%2Fgallery%2Fvehicles%2Fimages%2F015.jpg&hash=2c290cb73eb09bacb2076617412f41844806cff4)

Title: Re: A-pillar trim panel removal - Cherokee 2004
Post by: Bulldog67 on December 03, 2010, 08:48:23 PM
sure, no worries, shift £55k to my paypal account and i will try to convince MJS that its a plan worth implementin, even if its a bit soft electrickery and modern
Title: Re: A-pillar trim panel removal - Cherokee 2004
Post by: Simon J on December 06, 2010, 05:09:35 PM
if u wanna show me what ya want with a link i can go buy for ya and post to u dood

Thanks, Bulldog67 but I just got my daughter to check out the tools in our basement at home and she found a set of 1/4" drive sockets that include a 7/32 one so looks like I'm good to go. It needs a 1/4" drive socket as I'm pretty sure a 3/8" one would be too big to fit the recess where the bolt is located. More when I get the socket and try to do the job when I return here in the New year.
Title: Re: A-pillar trim panel removal - Cherokee 2004
Post by: eastryjeep on December 08, 2010, 04:08:20 PM
How's about this then Squire!
Get the socket posted across to you while you go find a short piece of 1/4" square steel bar and a shifter.
Maybe not as elegant as a ratchet but should do the job!
Just pray it don't get lorst in the Christmas post!

Sorry I didn't spot that you were out in the sticks before, hope all goes well.
Title: Re: A-pillar trim panel removal - Cherokee 2004
Post by: Simon J on December 08, 2010, 06:22:55 PM
Unfortunately the inward postal service where I am (Kosovo) ranges from the totally unreliable to.....!!!! So that's not really an option. But I'll be home next week and will stock up on necessities (like 7/32  1/4" drive sockets) for coming back in the New Year and will report back in due course.
Title: Re: A-pillar trim panel removal - Cherokee 2004
Post by: Simon J on February 05, 2011, 07:50:00 PM
I can definitely confirm that the A pilllar screws have a 5.5mm head on them and need a very slim socket to access them. I bought a C.K. nut spinner on FleaBay for a few quid and it did the job perfectly and I now have my iPod cable neatly routed under the top dash trim from where it drops down out of sight to the back of the radio.