Carpet Removal

Post Wed Apr 19, 2006 7:20 am

I Think I've cured a problem that I've had with water in the footwell's after reading up on here!

What I would like to know is how easy is it to remove and refit the carpets, as I would like to get them out to help dry it out, plus get a better look for any other leaks.

Is it worthwhile, or am I better off just leaving them in, and waiting a bit longer for it to dry out?

Post Wed Apr 19, 2006 7:41 am

seats out, centre console out ,front centre console out and then hang 'em out

Post Wed Apr 19, 2006 7:43 am

Depends on how wet the carpet is, if it's only slightly damp then i would leave it in, but pull back the edges to get as much air under it as possible.

If it is really wet, then pull it out. This is also a good time to give it a really good clean! Last time i took my carpet out and cleaned it, it took days to dry out in the sun, obviously it will take weeks to dry out in the car........

Bit fiddly to get out, but as long as you take your time it's not hard.

Remove seats
Remove gear knob
Remove centre consul
Remove seat belt lower bolt
Remove door seal step cover trim (the clips will break...)
Remove cowling above pedals
Remove bonnet release handle
Remove speaker covers
Cut carpet just above steering column (you will not see the cut when you put it back in)
Sit on the back seat and pull like made.
Job done!

Probably a few more bits, but that is most of them!

To put back in i find it easier to cut out a small bit of the carpet beneath the heater box, you will never be able to get the carpet back in after wards....

Whilst it's out you can check for any rust....... thankfully my cars have been 100% rust free!!!

Post Wed Apr 19, 2006 8:09 am

cut the carpet? SHAME ON YOU!

Post Wed Apr 19, 2006 9:25 am

Easier to put back in in some respects, as you'll be astonished how much lighter it is dry!!!

Post Wed Apr 19, 2006 9:50 am

Thanks for all the replies on this, looks like it's gotta be done!

Post Wed Apr 19, 2006 10:12 am

SCOTT325SE wrote:cut the carpet? SHAME ON YOU!

OK, just for Simon's sake,

Add the following two points to the above list

Remove steering column
Remove complete heater unit

Post Thu Apr 20, 2006 9:17 am

Remove door seal step cover trim (the clips will break...)

Whats the best method to take step cover trim off without breaking it?

Post Thu Apr 20, 2006 9:47 am

Rav69 wrote:Remove door seal step cover trim (the clips will break...)

Whats the best method to take step cover trim off without breaking it?

Slide the trim forwards or backwards untill the first clip, or possibly two are exposed, then slide it the other way, making sure you lift the trim slightly so that it doesn't engage with the clip again.
Bit of shuffleing over and back and you can get thr trim off without (usually) breaking anything. You may need a block and hammer to slide the strip.
If you decide to pull the strip off instead, be sure to move it over or back a couplr of inches first, because, not only will some of the clips break, but there will probably be damage to the tracks in the trim as well. This makes sure that the damage does not cause problems when you refit them.
As a third alternative, you can just pull the carpet from under the trims. It will cause a little damage to the carpet, but not much that will matter.