[s-cars] Avant rear tailgate inner trim

[Bill Mahoney]

Dan,
Check your bentley.  he he just kidding.  I too struggled w/ this ad
nauseum last year.   From what I recall after removing all screws,
unsnap and pull off the trim starting at the TOP.
Then there is a big "leap of faith" required for a big yank from the
base (bottom) of the WINDOW, (which is basically inside top of the panel
itself.)  Dont pull it all the way off.  Unsnap as much as you can from
around the perimeter.  From here you're on you own.  Sorry.  Peak inside
and you may get a clue on how to get the latch out.  There is I believe
a small frame piece around the latch on the inside of the car, even
though it doesnt look like there is one.  I think I finally just gaveit
another yank and while I broke some inside handle plastic pieces it was
not diasasterous.
Search the yahoo archives too, as I think I wrote a sort of BTDT last
summer
Try not to mess with the latch mecahnism if possible, as those
connecting rods were quite tricky to align.
I had to do this cause the latch had broken.  So, while youre in there
look up behind the wiper motor where you mey be able to take a look at
the inside latch.  There is a heavy 3/4" diameter zinc plated (kinda
yellowish color) roller that is about 5" long.  It is held in place by
kind of "c" shaped bracks on both ends.  On mine these had openned up,
roller falls out, door dont open:(   So, if you can see if this roller
is loose at either end, spend the extra time, take out the wiper motor
out (it could use a little PM anyway) and bend these C clamps tight.
Mine has held for a year so far:)
Since I have a  new inside rt. taillight coming which will require
removal once again, perhaps you could write a real BTDT for the tailgate
after youre done? Ya know, sumthing fresh.
Cheers'
Bill m