bow side vinyl removal? -- 98 2200V

[Bakes5]

OK....I need to replace a bolt to the grab rail on the bow of my 98 2200V. Any idea how to remove the side vinyl? I have done the search and such but nothing specific pops up. Seems like the idea is to find hiddle screws in the seams. To date I have not been able to find any of these.

Has anyone done this on this vintage of Tige? Can you post a pic that shows where you unscrewed/unbolted things?

Thanks

Bakes

[laserfish]

Do you have speakers in the front? That is my first access to the rear of my vinyl to take off the retaining nuts. Once you get the first piece removed, it will have another hole to reach the next one.

[Bakes5]

No speakers

[NICKYPOO]

You need to find the bolts on the back side of the interior panels. Hold on, I'm working on mine now. I'll get you some pics.

These are what you're looking for on the back side. They will have a standard nut, a lock washer and a fender washer. Get yourself a closed end 7/16 wrench. Trust me on the closed end wrench. Hook it over the bolt and loosen it a bit and then you should be able to spin it off by hand. If its just spinning the whole bolt, tighten it up good and snug and then loosen it again. That toothed washer is designed to hold it in place.

[Bakes5]

Awesome.....thanks. I will see if I can find them

[NICKYPOO]

Hopefully they are the same in your boat. They should be. Good luck dude.

[Bakes5]

Finally fixed this. I needed a Phillips screwdriver. Just look in the crack between the top and bottom pads and you can either see the screw head or see the small hole left by the screw head. Just unscrew it and move down about 8 inches and you will find the next screw. Anyways, took about 15-20 min to remove the side vinyl and tighten the grab rail screws. Should have done this 3 ys ago.