I searched but nobody has covered this. The screws that tighten them in are not coming out by any means. The guy that sold them to me said they are factory locktight and he had to use an impact screw driver, hit with a hammer until it breaks loose from its lock. No luck for me.

Any ideas or suggestions would be appreciated.

 

Well, I have never removed the rear window trim stuff, but at the junkyard I was digging through an SC and I wanted the fuel pump ECU so I went int there. It was difficult for me to remove it as well, what was making it so difficult is the plastic trim that goes around the seatbelt where it's sticking out of the panel. It's kinda hard to explain, here is a link. Did you see this thread? https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sc-...w-molding.html
Don't break that brittle plastic, be careful!

 

Kalogerus, I've had the same problem. I have a black dash, black front upper window trims, and left the old man tan out back. I can't get the screws that hold the "oh shnapp" handles out. I stripped two of them completely. My only choice now is to tap them out with a drill. I tried various phillips heads but nothing budged. The front ones came our rather easy. I've been driving around like this for 8+ months and have the rear black window trims sitting in a box in my basement storage closet. Just thinking about being crammed in the back seat tapping out the screws makes me exhausted lol. Best of luck and let me know how it goes.

 

I removed the seat belt cover no problems, it just popped out. The real problem is removing the screws behind the handle or grip thing. So far as I saw on youtube and other hardware forums to remove locktite screws youd have to either use a hammer on the screwdriver to break the stuff or use heat. I tried both methods and the doggone screws wont move a millimeter. I literally held a lighter to the screw then went and got a solder iron (the electric ones) and held it on the screw for 5 mins. Still nothing. I partially stripped one screw so I am not going to force it.

Terrible idea by the lexus folks, why would they do that to an interior trim? lol

I'm about to get the dc to av converter and hook up a real soldering iron and apply that as a heat source. The lighter started melting the plastic and I chickened out

Also I'd like to add that I cant see anything about removing the interior trim (not exterior) in either the build thread of the the thread posted. Except in the link you posted scEnforcer mentions the basic idea how to remove the trim, which I already know. Sadly nothing about those annoying screws.

Tabaka: Yes, I am exhausted already lmao.

 

You were looking in the wrong forum, audio has all DIY removal of interior. My steps post 2, I recall the area/bolts (hand bar) well. I used a electric powered screwdriver and pushed down hard into the screw when in operation was still difficult.
http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums...-sound-system/

 

Teal, I checked your thread I still cant see any steps regarding the window frames. I looked in the audio section here and found nothing, just general steps to locate the screws if anything. I tried what you said though pushing very hard and I stripped the screws even more. I removed all other screws but that area drained me out to no avail. I dont usually drink during the week but this car can really get on your nerves lol

 

Did you try any lubricant/WD-40, I assume from the bolt head you can't use a socket wrench?
link for problem solving stripped screws
http://www.todayifoundout.com/index....ripped-screws/

 

Liquid wrench works really well with stuck bolts as well.

 

If its still stuck i remember doing it was a PAIN IN THE ***. I went to home depot and got their stripped screw remover and it worked. make sure u get the expensiveish heavy duty one because i broke the regular one trying to get those damn screws out. When I was done i just returned the remover for full refund

 

I havent tried lubricants, I didnt think of it. Nope cant use socket wrench.... I thought about breaking the plastic around and use a lockjaw, but then I cant reuse it as a crash dummy for re-leather or paint. I was thinking of buying a drill tomorrow or the next day and drill all screws out, but will try wd-40 first

 

Will try that thanks

Lol that was my only concern... the refund

 

I have to ask: Those of you who like to return an item after getting use out of it, would you purchase a previously-opened item at full price?

My bet is that you wouldn't - just like 99.9% of the other customers out there. I guess it's ok though, since the stores are rich and there's no way those costs get passed on to the rest of us...

 

I honestly wouldnt mind. Its getting returned anyway and in its original condition (not damaged, abused, ...etc) so...... whats the point in buying something and only use it once? Borrowing is much better

 

As I stayed in the pms, I have tried all of the above. The impact screw driver was the only way I could get them loose. You need to make sure that the impact is set to reverse. Keep hitting the impact driver and don't be scared. It literally took me a good 5min of smacking the driver for them to brake loose with out stripping any of the screws.

If you do end up stripping them out, there is a special "reverse drill bit" that you but in the screw. I forget what it's called but it works. You drill a big enough hole for the bit to get slightly in, than start hammer it in to the point where it an not come loose. Grab a crisent wrench and begin to untightin the screw with the bit that was hammerd in and it will brake loose.

Good luck!

 

Yup an impact with a bfh is the only way to get them loose, It sucks but I bought one from harbor freight for like 10.00 and the came right out with a few hits.