side sill removal help to get at the torx screw

[frank]

Looking to remove my side sills. All good except one small torx screw that goes "up" into the fender and accessed through the side vents. I cant see to get at it easily. Is there a trick or just patience trying to get the head on the screw

[jpmst3]

My Gen 3 has studs and nuts in the vents. But, the process should be similar.

You could remove the inner fender liner and get direct access to it. Or you can get someone with small hands to get a wrench on it.
I was going to go the first route, but got lazy. I waited for my other half to help and she was able to get it loosened in about 2 minutes each side. The key is not to remove them, just loosen them so it makes the sills easier to line up when reinstalling, not to mention easier get the nuts finger tight as well.

[Zubik]

It’s two 10mm nuts on long studs. Don’t need to remove them fully, just enough and the sill will pull out towards you.

The back nut is easy to get to: stubby ratchet and deep 10mm. Front stud, I take the three Philips screw holding sill to inner liner out. I then pry the inner liner and put a 1/4” deep socket on long extension on it. Its kind of finicky as the inner liner is very stiff. The front stud is right at the front corner of the sill, where it becomes the wheel well. Once the socket is on, there’s no need to pry the liner. The tension of liner will keep socket on. I do this fastener last. As it come loose the sill slides off. I also put it back last and push w/my hand tight against the sill, to keep everything in place. Once I got this move down, it’s about 10 mins to take sill off and put in.

[TheMadMachinist]

That one screw is the worst. I put a notch in after I got the darn thing out so it was a little easier next time.

[FrgMstr]

Here ya go... A 1/4" drive 10mm deep socket will fit right in there after you make room for it.

50953

[Steve M]

Here ya go... A 1/4" drive 10mm deep socket will fit right in there after you make room for it.

50953

That's what I did.

You can either try to find a hole plug, or just put electrical tape over the hole when you don't need it.

[frank]

the viper crew to the rescue. thanks for the help, and esp the pic! My hands are like a catchers mitt so drilling a small hole seems the best way to go

[Grcforce327]

Don't forget to rivet-nutsert all the bottom holes.

https://vimeo.com/653240024

50967

[FrgMstr]

Don't forget to rivet-nutsert all the bottom holes.

https://vimeo.com/653240024

50967

Yep, very good mod. Mine have held up for a LONG time now. Full thread on it here. https://driveviper.com/forums/threads/7713-Side-sill-fasteners

[Steve M]

Just keep in mind that stainless and aluminum don't get along well with each other in the presence of water.

[Grcforce327]

Yep, very good mod. Mine have held up for a LONG time now. Full thread on it here. https://driveviper.com/forums/threads/7713-Side-sill-fasteners

Funny that thread is from 2015. Did my gen1 in 2007,and followed with the gen3. Lol!

[Zubik]

I did mine w/M6 inserts to have metric 10mm bolts.