Black corner piece where the two chrome moldings around the driver window meet behind the side view mirror. It sort of starts pulling back when I pry under the top corner. Looks like frame under there but not sure if there are clips or what. Don’t want to just rip it off with potential of breaking it so figured I would check with you all. Thanks in advance.

 

It looks like there a nut that has to be loosened from the inside, after you remove the interior door trim.

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Why are you removing it?

 

@Fis4Forty - If this is the piece you're asking about (see lower section of image below - disregard the upper portion of the image as it does not apply), the interior door trim must first be removed and then you'll have access to the nut in order to remove the piece. I'm too wondering why you want to remove it...

 

I think there is a seal gasket, and some light adhesive behind it also. Lexus calls it a one use piece only. If removed should be replaced with a new one.

 

@jgscott - Jamie, I think you're right.

The seal gasket is a pre-cut piece of Butyl tape that comes with protective paper on it to keep debris off until the protective paper is removed and the seal tape is installed in-place. The original seal gasket tape is not to be re-used.

I suspect the adhesive is likely something like windshield replacement adhesive.

You definitely don't want an air entrance gap for this trim piece because it is already located in a precarious spot for low pressure airflow where if a gap was not properly sealed, it would likely cause an air movement noise (e.g. a whistle sound) in the cabin when traveling at speed.

The image below displays an example of pre-cut Butyl tape for various trim pieces which is a non-reusable part.

 

At least on mine, I do know that the bottom part of that black triangle appears to be partly a culprit of a sound when going at speed. When a filled in that gap with a skinny piece of rolled up tape, the sound reduced.

 

Only due to a mess up do I know.

I messed up in a parking lot on a pole, over the pass side a few years ago. Had to replace that piece. I tried to reuse the old one but just was not worth it, to do it right. Lexus parts advised it was a one time use piece only. I got a new one and it worked perfect!

 

This is it. You guys nailed it. @EAST and @bclexus appreciate you. Reason I was asking was prepping for a chrome delete and that piece made the project a nightmare. Was able to maneuver around it but its not perfect so I may redo with removing this piece on the second try…appreciate all the help