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I have a 2003 Civic and (long story short) there's a crack under one of the drip rails on the roof. I'm trying to find out how to take that rubber piece out without damaging it. I've lifted the end and it appears to be held down by a metal tab.
(I'm calling it a drip rail because that's what I was told that it's called. But I'm not talking about the part that's right above the door, I'm talking about the strip that runs from the corner of the windshield to the top of the back glass.)
Can anyone tell me how to get that out and back in without damaging it?
Thanks a lot.

 
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Roof molding. The flat strip in the roof grooves.

There is a pin at each end on the roof, and each end of the molding has an embedded metal clip that slides over the pin. The rest of the trim is just held in by its rubber edges.


Protect the paint with tape where you will pry.
Using a plastic trim tool, get under an edge of the molding somewhere several inches back from the windshield. Lift the molding out of the groove, then slide the molding to release from the pin. Peel it out of the roof toward the rear, repeat at the rear pin.



Maybe take a trip to the junkyard and experiment on a junker before you take yours apart?

 
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Am I sliding toward the end I'm closest to, or away from it? I'm guessing "away."
Thanks very much.

 
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ezone, are you talking about a tool like this?

 
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Looking at the pictures, it appears that sliding it away from the glass on each end should release the clip from the pin.

When you reinstall, sliding toward the glass at each end should clip it to the pins again.


Remember, I'm just looking at pictures here.

Yes, something like that made of plastic so it doesn't damage paint or trim.

 
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Okay, thanks.

 
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ezone, your description of how to get the molding off was perfect.
Many thanks.
John