Rear hatch trim removal help!!!

G

georstan

Member
Location
AZ
Ok, to make a long story short, my rear hatch lock assembly is bad and i need to replace it... I am trying to save a few $$$and do it myself.
I have the repair manual on cd and it does show the placement of the various clips that holds the rear hatch trim in place, but I CANT GET THE THING TO BUDGE...:mad.:
Are there any special tools needed?, where do i start prying from?, is the cover that well built that it needs that much effort to remove?, :confused:
I know alot of members have done the "rear wiper delete" and in order to do this they had to remove the entire rear hatch cover. PLEASE HELP... The last thing i want to do is save a few bucks and then be forsed to buy a new trim piece because i broke mine getting fustrated...:tdown:
 
Don't worry - you can do it!

It's just scary the first time.

You'll notice there are a couple panel colored pushclips - when you pop the panel off, these clips will fall out. Make sure you keep track of them so you can put them back in.

It's really a brute force kind of deal. I started at the bottom corner of the panel and used a screwdriver wrapped in paper to protect the paint. Once you get a gap between the panel and the hatch, just pull up/out with your fingers. The fasteners will pop out if you pull hard enough. Inspect the fasteners/clips to make sure there are not any that are bent or damaged. If so, you might need to remove those clips before the panel will go back in.

To get the panel back in you need to line up the fasteners with the original holes and just bump the panel with your fist. You should feel it snap in.
 
jumbosrule said:
Don't worry - you can do it!

It's just scary the first time.

You'll notice there are a couple panel colored pushclips - when you pop the panel off, these clips will fall out. Make sure you keep track of them so you can put them back in.

It's really a brute force kind of deal. I started at the bottom corner of the panel and used a screwdriver wrapped in paper to protect the paint. Once you get a gap between the panel and the hatch, just pull up/out with your fingers. The fasteners will pop out if you pull hard enough. Inspect the fasteners/clips to make sure there are not any that are bent or damaged. If so, you might need to remove those clips before the panel will go back in.

To get the panel back in you need to line up the fasteners with the original holes and just bump the panel with your fist. You should feel it snap in.
Click to expand...



Thanks Jumbosrule... but i should remove the grab handles and the square covers at the top before prying it off right?
I do have a big pry bar like screwdriver i can use also... i will try again today and post pics if i can...
 
I did it last weekend. Remove handles ( these where you put you fringes to close the hatch). remove square covers. Put your finger under the plastic cover - but don't grab the metal part :) - pull it strong but gently. The pins should fly over you head. If you can - get assist, on 4 hands will be easier ;)
Good luck.

PS. I was thinking about DYI but was alone so maybe you will find a kind person who will take some shoots ;)
 
sirtrojan said:
I did it last weekend. Remove handles ( these where you put you fringes to close the hatch). remove square covers. Put your finger under the plastic cover - but don't grab the metal part :) - pull it strong but gently. The pins should fly over you head. If you can - get assist, on 4 hands will be easier ;)
Good luck.

PS. I was thinking about DYI but was alone so maybe you will find a kind person who will take some shoots ;)
Click to expand...


Thanks for the feedback... i realy feel better now... ill try to tackle it today but its 102F today, not cool, but i will remember 'strong but gentle"

---------- Post added at 05:30 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:51 PM ----------

wow....i should have stopped being such a pussy!!!:rofl: it was easy as hell...finished changing the part in lest than 30min...thanks for the help tho guys...:tup:
 
sirtrojan said:
I did it last weekend. Remove handles ( these where you put you fringes to close the hatch). remove square covers. Put your finger under the plastic cover - but don't grab the metal part :) - pull it strong but gently. The pins should fly over you head. If you can - get assist, on 4 hands will be easier ;)
Good luck.

PS. I was thinking about DYI but was alone so maybe you will find a kind person who will take some shoots ;)
Click to expand...

How do i remove these handles? I have a 2008 if that matters.
 
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