Stainless trim removal on vinyl top of 70 SE

[RTSE70]

Any tips on removing the stainless trim or molding at the rear of the vinyl top of a 70 SE? Don't know if they are original but the clips are the common wire tail clips with a threaded stud but on the inside, instead of the usual nut, they have a push in sleeve.

 

[EV2RTSE]

Jeez. Those are definitely not the original fasteners. Yeah looks like someone just pushed them in from above rather than bothering to use nuts from underneath like was done originally. I guess you'll need to somehow carefully pry back up to get them out?

Is your deck lid filler panel in good shape or are you replacing it? If replacing it I'd cut / drill / trash it as needed to get the trim out safely.

 

[Xcudame]

Try using plastic pry bars and pry up carefully on both sides of the trim moulding. Definitely not what is supposed to be there.

 

[RTSE70]

I tried to pry up from above and did get the one in the photo out but no others. Last thing I want to do is damage the trim. I was able to get to the sleeves with long needle nose vice grips and crush the sleeve enough flatten out the bottom edge that engages the stud threads. I could then push up the stud to release clip. Glad the last guy had such an easy time installing.