I bought the plastic trim rim that goes around the rear hatch, from the latch around to the center pillars, and hook on just ahead of where the hydraulic strut rods connect on the bottom. Trouble is, I can't seem to figure out how to get those lifter rods off the little studs. There is no clip on mine, just the stud, which has a ball on one end under the end of the rod, and what looks like a 9/16 nut holding the stud to the body. Is there a trick to get the rod off, so that the hole in the trim panel can go around the stud, or is that nut the only way to unscrew the stud and the stud and rod come off together? Chiltons and Factory manuals just say, remove the rods..., but don't tell the trick for how.
Just wondering if anyone has had to replace the rods or the trim pieces and had a similar dilemma. As you can tell, I'm no mechanic or body man, so I try, but fly blind. (... but at least I ask for directions!) Much obliged, C4VR amigos.
______________
http://www.C4VetteRegistry.com/member_uploads/13701_13800/13759/Corvette-at-home201216202023r.jpg