Hi all. Took my taillights out to install new bulbs after getting the car back from the body shop. 89 GTA. Should their be clips installed here? In the 3 holes shown? If so what kind of clip?

 

GM # 5973400



You can get one'sy two'sy quantities at any autoparts store, or you can get them in bulk for pennies on the dollar from a vendor like Auveco. If you have a local autobody supply store, they should have them.

 

Those are the clips I was thinking about since we’ve removed that type from other parts of the car.

 

Drew we also found over the weekend that there is no mounting hardware for the rocker spoiler where it mounts to the rocker panel. I think it’s mounted on either end but nothing holding to the rocker panel running the length of the door. ��

Do you know what hardware I need to mount them up properly? I can add a pic for reference if needed. And THANKS for the help.

 

There should be a series of steel brackets holding the moldings on, along with some trim screws here and there.

Go here - https://drive.google.com/drive/folde...nNhUXl3d0dXRWc and download the Firebird Parts and Illustrations Catalog. Group 12 shows all the GFX pieces.

 

For anyone that might be interested the screws necessary to attach the rocker panel spoiler are M4.2x1.41x16 which seems to be an oddball size currently. Most I found were M4.2x1.41x13 or by x20. Also, the thread pitch is unusual. 1.41 is not common. The most common today seems to be M4.2x7. Regardless I found a few resources that sell them, just be prepared to buy a box of 100 for $10 lol.

https://www.clipsandfasteners.com/se...1+x+16&Submit=

 

They really aren't uncommon at all. GM just converted an SAE sheetmetal screw dimensions to metric. M4.2x1.41 is a #8 sheetmetal screw.

You can usually beat the clips and fasteners price by going right to the manufacturer Auveco. Find em in the online catalog, then google the number to find a vendor with a price you like. Most autobody supply shops will have all the hardware in bulk also.

 

Yeah I’m familiar with Auveco though never ordered anything from that yet. Downloaded one of their catalogs years ago. You’re right I forgot to mention I cross referenced it with SAE. It’s a #8 for size, 5/8” for length and 18 for thread pitch I believe which is also not the most common. Most #8s you see are either 32 or 36. Not disagreeing with you, my comments were just that you won’t find these at parts stores or in the first few hits on a search. 🙂

 

I REALLY appreciate the help. I’m OCD about using the right hardware to put cars together. I should own stock in AMK for the stuff I bought for my 73 lol.

 

Not a problem. I had to find a bunch of random nuts, bolts, and screws for my Iroc. At some point a previous owner must have had a HUGE box of "spare parts leftover" after doing some body/paint work. Heck, just today I had the digital caliper out, measuring bolts and nuts from my take off parts tub, comparing what I found to pics of the original part numbers... Found what I needed pretty quickly, also found a spot where some nerd used a screw too long, and I have a puncture I need to repair in the exterior body. At least it's not in a visible place.