1957 Buick Rear End (Series 50-70)

1957 Buick Back Window-Four-Door Models

The back window garnish moldings are newly designed and of two-piece construction. On 56R and 76R bodies the moldings are secured in the 1957 Buick rear quarter area by clips and at the back window area by screws. The moldings on the Four-Door bodies are secured by screws.

The back window reveal moldings are new in design and are secured by clips, and bolt and clip assemblies. The moldings consist of two upper and two lower reveal moldings. In addition, on Special Coupe Styles two back window corner reveal moldings are also used.

A feature of the 76R and the 73 bodies is the use of back window inner and outer division molding assemblies. The outer division moldings are an extension of the two roof panel outer molding assemblies. Each molding assembly consists of a flanged molding and a slotted rubber spacer. The upper end of the outer division molding assembly is positioned over the end of the roof panel outer molding while the lower end is secured to the pinchweld flange by a screw. The inner division moldings, which have slotted holes for alignment with the outer division moldings, are secured to the body at each end by a screw.

Removal and Installation of Back Window Garnish Moldings

1. On Four-Door bodies remove screws securing right and left moldings and remove moldings. NOTE: Right molding overlaps left molding.
2. On 56R and 76R bodies remove screws securing right and left moldings then carefully disengage each molding from clips at belt finishing molding and quarter window area and remove molding. NOTE: Right molding overlaps left molding.
3. To install, reverse removal procedure, installing left molding first. NOTE: On 56R and 76R bodies carefully install molding to clips at rear quarter area so as not to damage belt finishing molding, then install screws.

Removal and Installation of 1957 Buick Back Window Inner Division Molding (Mode.ls 73-76R)

1. Remove back window garnish moldings as previously described.
2. At each end of division molding remove screw securing molding and remove molding.
3. To disengage back window division molding spacer from molding, slide spacer out of molding.
4. To install, reverse removal procedure making certain inner division molding is in alignment with outer division molding.

Removal and Installation of 1957 Buick Back Window Outer Division Moldings (Models 73-76R)

1. On inside of body remove back window garnish moldings. Loosen rear portion of headlining sufficiently to expose roof panel outside molding rear attaching bolt and loosen bolt.
2. On outside of body remove screw securing lower end of division molding.
3. Carefully slide division molding downward and rearward to disengage molding from roof panel outside molding assembly and remove division molding. NOTE: To disengage spacer from division molding slide spacer out of molding.
4. To install, carefully slide upper end of division molding over end of roof panel outside molding assembly until division molding “butts” against roof molding.
5. Position lower end of molding; then apply medium-bodied sealer through division molding lower attaching hole into hole in rubber channel. Then install screw securing lower molding.
6. On inside of body tighten attaching nut securing rear end of roof panel molding. Replace headlining and install garnish moldings.

Removal and Installation of 1957 Buick Back Window Reveal Moldings

1. Mask off outside body surfaces around rear window opening to protect paint finish and place protective covering over 1957 Buick rear compartment lid.
2. Remove back window garnish moldings.
3. On 56R and 76R bodies turn back inner lip of rubber channel at each corner of window and remove two back window lower corner reveal molding attaching nuts and washers. At upper center of back window opening turn back lip of rubber channel and remove one attaching nut and washer.
4. On Four-Door bodies turn back inner lip of rubber channel at each corner of window and remove one back window reveal molding attaching nut and washer at each location.
5. On 56R and 76R bodies place a flat-bladed tool under the forward portion of the back window lower corner reveal molding and pry molding with attaching clip from body.
6. On 76R and 73 bodies remove back window outer division channels.
7. On all styles, insert flat-bladed tool between molding and rubber channel and carefully pry reveal molding from body in the following order: upper reveal molding right; lower reveal molding right, upper reveal molding left; and lower reveal molding left.
8. To install moldings apply medium-bodied sealer around base of all reveal molding attaching bolts and on Special Coupe styles to base of clip on corner reveal molding.

1957 Buick Back Window Assembly

Locate flange of molding between clips and body and firmly press moldings into position. Secure molding attaching bolts, install all previously removed parts and remove protective coverings.

Removal and Installation of 1957 Buick Back Window Assembly

1. Place protective covering over rear compartment lid and mask around back window. Remove 1957 Buick rear seat cushion and back and place protective covering over parcel shelf.
2. On inside of body remove back window garnish moldings. NOTE: On 76R and 73 bodies also remove back window inner division channels.
3. Remove back window reveal moldings. NOTE: On 76R and 73 bodies, remove back window outer division channels before removing reveal moldings.
4. On inside of body break seal between inner lip of rubber channel and pinchweld flange around perimeter of glass. Then carefully push upper edge of window assembly outward until lip of rubber channel is disengaged from pinchweld flange around perimeter of glass.
5. With aid of helper remove assembly from window opening and place it on a protected bench. Remove rubber channel from glass.
6. Before beginning installation clean original sealer from back window body opening and rubber channel. Check body pinchweld flange for any irregularities and correct if present. Check back window gutter and drain hoses for any obstructions and clean out if necessary.
7. Check installation of molding clips at upper and lower pinchweld flanges. If replacing clips apply sufficient medium-bodied sealer to opening rabbet at clip location as shown at “2” in figure 13-232 and install clip.

1957 Buick Back Window Sealing Procedure

13-39 1957 BUICK REAR COMPARTMENT (SERIES 50-70)

The 1957 Buick rear compartment lid hinges, guide and rear compartment weatherstrip are similar to those used on previous styles. The rear compartment lid lock assembly and lock cylinder assembly, however, are located in the rear compartment lid. Due to the design of the short rear compartment front panel on the convertible styles and roof panel moldings on the 76R and 73 bodies, new link type rear compartment lid hinges are used to provide the required lid travel.

Removal and Installation of 1957 Buick Rear Compartment Lid

The 1957 Buick rear compartment lid is secured to the body by two hinges which incorporate torque rods to assist in opening the compartment lid and holding it in the “up” position when opened.

1. Open lid and place protective covering along edges of 1957 Buick rear compartment opening to prevent damage to painted surface.
2. Disengage wire harness from clips on hinge and 1957 Buick rear compartment lid inner panel and remove wire harness from lid.
3. Scribe location of hinge straps on lid inner panel.
4. Remove two bolts shown in figure 13-233 securing lid to each hinge strap and with aid of helper remove 1957 Buick rear compartment lid.

1957 Buick Rear Compartment

1957 Buick Rear Compartment Lid Adjustments

1. To adjust compartment lid forward or rearward, or from side to side in body opening, loosen both hinge strap attaching bolts and adjust lid as required; then tighten bolts.
2. To adjust compartment lid at hinge area up or down, install shims between lid inner panel and hinge straps as follows:
   • To raise front edge of lid at hinge area, place shim between lid inner panel and forward portion of one or both hinge straps.
   • To lower front edge of lid at hinge area, place shim between lid inner panel and rearward portion of one or both hinge straps.
3. To check lid lock bolt engagement with striker see “Rear Compartment Lid Lock Bolt and Striker Engagement Check”.
4. To adjust 1957 Buick rear compartment lid guide, loosen attaching screws and adjust guide as required; then tighten screws. (See Fig. 13-233).

Removal and Installation of 1957 Buick Rear Compartment Lid Hinge (Models 53-56C-56R-76C)

NOTE: On the 76R and 73 the lid hinge linkage is riveted to the hinge box; therefore, the hinge cannot be readily removed. It is necessary to replace the complete hinge and hinge box assembly when a hinge replacement is necessary.

1. Place protective covering over body around upper portion of rear compartment opening and provide support for lid on side where hinge is to be removed.
2. Remove rear compartment trim at hinge area. If left hinge is being removed, disengage wire harness from clips on left hinge.
3. Scribe location of hinge strap on lid inner panel and remove bolts securing hinge strap to lid.
4. With a suitable length of pipe disengage torque rod for notched retainer on inboard face of opposite hinge box. NOTE: Mark retainer notch before removing torque rod to insure rod is installed in same position.
5. Disengage opposite end of torque rod from lower movable portion of hinge strap and remove rod.
6. On all styles except convertibles, bend back tab on inboard face of hinge box at retaining pin location, remove pin and then remove hinge from box.
7. On convertible styles, bend back tab on inboard face of hinge box at each of two retaining pin locations, remove pins, and then remove hinge from box.
8. On installation, first position hinge in box and install hinge pin (s). Bend over retaining tab(s) to secure hinge pin(s).
9. Position hinge strap within scribe marks on lid inner panel and install attaching bolts.
10. Install “U”-shaped end of torque rod to hinge box making certain outer end of rod is engaged in hole in outboard face of hinge box.
11. Engage torque rod to lower movable portion of hinge and engage other end of rod to correct retaining notch on inboard face of opposite hinge box.
12. Check alignment of 1957 Buick rear compartment lid and make any necessary adjustments.
13. Install wire harness if left hinge was removed. Install all previously removed trim.

1957 Buick Rear Compartment Torque Rod Adjustment

The torque rods on the 1957 Buick rear compartment lid hinge assemblies can be adjusted to obtain the desired effort required to open and close the lid. With the torque rod set in Position No. 1, (See Figure 13-234) a decrease in the effort required to open the lid can be had by adjusting the torque rod to Positions No. 2 or No. 3.

1957 Buick Rear Compartment Hinge-Convertibles Illustration

A corresponding increase in the effort required to close the lid results from this adjustment. With the torque rod set in Position No. 3, a decrease in the effort required to close the lid can be had by adjusting the torque rod to Positions No. 2 or No. 1. A corresponding increase in the effort required to open the lid results from this adjustment.

1957 Buick Rear Compartment Lid Lock

The 1957 Buick rear compartment lid lock cylinder, lock and protector cover are located in the rear compartment lid. The rear compartment lid lock striker is located at the rear end panel.

Removal and Installation of 1957 Buick Rear Compartment Lid Lock Cylinder

The key-operated lock cylinder is held to the 1957 Buick rear compartment lid outer panel by a sliding retainer located between the lid outer and inner panels.

1957 Buick Rear Compartment Lock Cylinder Removal

1. Through opening in rear compartment lid inner panel, insert suitable hooked tool to pull the lock cylinder retainer away from lock cylinder.
2. Remove lock cylinder and gasket from outer panel of rear compartment lid.

1957 Buick Rear Compartment Lid Lock and Protector Cover Illustration

Removal and Installation of 1957 Buick Rear Compartment Lid Lock and Protector Cover

1. Remove 1957 Buick rear compartment lid lock cylinder.
2. Remove two screws securing protective cover to lid inner panel.
3. Remove three screws securing lock and protective cover to lid inner panel and remove cover and lock.
4. To install, reverse removal procedure. Apply medium-bodied sealer to surface of lid lock which contacts lid inner panel.

Removal and Installation of 1957 Buick Rear Compartment Lid Lock Striker

1. Scribe location of striker and remove two attaching bolts; then remove striker.

1957 Buick Checking Lock and Striker Engagement

1957 Buick Rear Compartment Lock Striker Adjustments

1. To adjust striker up or down, loosen attaching bolts, adjust striker as required; then tighten bolts.
2. To adjust striker forward, loosen attaching bolts and install emergency spacer between striker and support; then tighten bolts.

1957 Buick Rear Compartment Lid Lock Bolt and Striker Engagement Check

To check the amount of engagement of the 1957 Buick rear compartment lid lock bolt with the lock striker, use the following procedure:

1. Insert a small quantity of modeling clay at bottom of bolt slot and close lid with a moderate slam.
2. Open lid and check amount of engagement of lock bolt with striker as indicated by compression of the clay. With a ruler carefully measure the distance between the base of the “U” in the clay to base of “U” in the lock bolt. This dimension should be 1/8″ to 5/32″.
3. Adjust striker as required and /or if necessary use a spacer or shim for extreme cases of lid lock striker adjustment. Tighten all attaching screws.

Removal and Installation of 1957 Buick Rear Compartment Weatherstrip

The weatherseal at the 1957 Buick rear compartment area is provided by a one-piece weatherstrip which is secured to the body by the compartment gutter. An additional seal is obtained by application of weatherstrip cement to the lower inner corner of the rear compartment gutter at the weld joint prior to installation of the weatherstrip.

1. Separate “butt” ends of weatherstrip at bottom of compartment opening. With flatbladed tool carefully disengage weatherstrip from its cemented foundation in the gutter across the bottom, up the sides and across the top. Remove the weatherstrip.
2. Before installation, check gutter around 1957 Buick rear compartment opening to make certain surface is clean.
3. Using a pressure-type gun flow a bead of weatherstrip cement along weld joint at lower inner corner of the rear compartment gutter around entire perimeter of gutter as shown in “C-C”, Fig. 13-238.