AW11 Tips And Tricks: C Pillar Trim And Rear Visor Epic, Part 2

Episode 2: THE INSERT STRIKES BACK

3 part exploration of more than you ever wanted to know about AW11 MR2 C pillar trim and rear visor problems and solutions.

In this second part I alter the mounting holes, fail to install the visor, suffer fresh damage to a new trim piece, and examine some inherent weaknesses of the design.

If you don't feel like watching the near 60 minute series (and I don't blame you) here are the main takeaways:
Damage occurs due to age and stupidity. Brittle plastic, seized threads, leaning on the trim (me), over torqueing (me), and neglect.
Twos R Us Reproduction Trim Sets are a great solution to discolored, severely damaged, or missing pieces, but share some inherent weakness of the original design.
Trim Saver Tabs are a great solution to broken inserts, stronger than original, and not a bad preemptive measure.
ABS cement is an effective adhesive for repair and reinforcement of these ABS plastic pieces. (My comments on camera notwithstanding, there are also epoxies and JB Weld products engineered for ABS plastic.)
-Expand mounting holes with a file if threading the shoulder screws is challenging. Do not expand the second to top hole. Expand by maybe a millimeter at both ends of the holes, aligned lengthwise with the trim piece. (Sorry no closeup detailing this.)

I demonstrate on my 20 valve blue 1987 MR2 and a 1986 MR2 project car.

I this project took place intermittently over several months in late 2021, then the editing project was abandon until I saw related suffering described in various online forums. I hope this saves some people some struggles, and sorry it's so long.

At present (summer 2022) the Twos R Us reproduction kit is available:
http://twosrus.com/catalog/product_in...

UPDATE: Trim Saver Tabs are currently (9-2025) available via Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/Aw11TrimSav...

I have not seen the Trim Saver Tab available on eBay for several months and have no information beyond the eBay seller and his YouTube channel. I encourage the seller continues to produce these tabs as they are my recommended solution to many common scenarios. The Trim Saver Tab instruction video is very informative and I refer you to it rather than reproducing it's content.
https://www.ebay.com/usr/glazedham42
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