Chrysler neon 1997 Service Manual page 1631

23 - 46 BODY
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION (Continued)
INSTALLATION
Apply water sealing putty around spoiler mounting
studs and reverse the preceding operation.
ROOF APERTURE (RAP) MOLDING
The RAP molding is set in urethane adhesive. The
RAP molding is difficult to salvage during removal.
Verify part availability
removal procedure. The temperature in the work
area and the vehicle should be at least 21°C (70°F) to
avoid damaging the rear window and windshield
moldings. Apply masking tape to surrounding area of
the RAP molding to protect the finish.
REMOVAL
(1) Using a trim stick, gently lift rear window
molding upward to gain access to end of RAP mold-
ing.
(2) Using a sharp hook tool, pierce the rear end of
the molding.
(3) Lift the rear of the RAP molding upward until
it clears the rear window molding.
(4) Using a common plier, pull the RAP molding
forward to separate molding from urethane bonding.
(5) Separate RAP molding from vehicle.
INSTALLATION
(1) Using a sharpened trim stick, scrape urethane
bonding material from the roof seam trough.
(2) Using touch-up paint, repair scratches in roof
seam trough to prevent corrosion.
(3) Inspect the bottom of the roof seam trough for
gaps in caulking. Repair gaps with suitable seam
sealer following manufacturers instructions.
(4) Apply black-out primer to bottom of roof seam
trough. Allow at lease three minutes before bonding
is applied.
(5) Install RAP molding into the roof seam trough
and position molding so both ends are covered by the
glass moldings. If the molding will not lay flat on the
bottom of the trough, trim the ends of the molding
until proper fit achieved.
(6) Using a suitable marking pencil, mark an
index line across the RAP molding and the adjacent
surfaces.
(7) Remove the RAP molding from the roof seam
trough.
(8) Apply a 5 mm (0.2 in.) bead of urethane adhe-
sive on the bottom/center of the trough along the
entire length.
(9) Place RAP molding in position in roof seam
trough (Fig. 81).
(10) Insert both ends of RAP molding under glass
moldings.
(11) Align index marks across trough and molding.
(12) Gently press RAP molding into urethane
adhesive until molding lays smooth and flat.
before proceeding with
ROOF APERTURE MOLDING (RAP) ROOF RACK GASKET RAP MOLDINGS
(13) Remove protective tape from around the RAP
molding.
(14) Clean excess urethane from exterior with
Mopar, Super Clean or equivalent.
(15) Apply a length of 50 mm (2 in.) masking tape
over the RAP molding to retain the molding until the
urethane adhesive is cured. Curing time for most
urethane adhesive is at least 24 hours.
Fig. 81 RAP Molding
ROOF RACK
The roof rack insulator gasket is bonded to the
base of the side rail. If the gasket comes loose during
servicing, secure the gasket to the side rail with
Mopar, Bond-all Gel Adhesive or equivalent.
REMOVAL
(1) Remove screws holding roof rack side rails to
the roof panel (Fig. 82).
(2) Separate roof rack from vehicle.
Fig. 82 Roof Rack
INSTALLATION
Reverse the preceding operation.
PL
ROOF SEAM TROUGH RIV-NUTS