[s-cars] Avant rear hatch trim removal

[Manuel Sanchez]

Nevermind, found it/them.

More poking around under there and I discovered I was not the first  
one to remove that trim.

It is confusing to describe in words because the hatch is open, one  
might be looking at it upside down (or backwards, forwards, la la la).

Anyway someone else had broken the plastic bits that these 2 hidden  
screws screwed into. In my cast the screw heads were covered by the  
vinyl trim covering, thus making them truly hidden, and I agree--evil.

-Manny

95.5 urS6 Avant (mostly RS2'd)


> To: s-car-list list <s-car-list at audifans.com>
> Subject: Avant rear hatch trim removal
>
> Fellow S-Heads,
>
> I need a little guidance with one of the steps for the removal of  
> the rear trim on the hatch on an Avant.
>
>
> One particular step reads:
>
> "Pop out the secret flap type compartments of the lateral parts of  
> the carpeted section with a flat screwdriver. These hidden  
> compartments correspond to an area behind each tailight. Unscrew  
> one HIDDEN screw behind each secret panel."
>
> I have the secret compartments open but I am having trouble finding  
> the "HIDDEN screw behind each secret panel".
>
> I am tempted to start pulling, but the creaking and resistance has  
> me thinking I am going to break all the 15 year old brittle plastic  
> clips that are certainly behind this trim.
>
> Any help would be appreciated.
>
>
>
>
>
> I've been following the following directions:
>
> QUOTED FROM AN OLD EMAIL COPY FROM Mr. Chris Gharibo.
>
> I'd like to contribute the following piece for the Avant owners out  
> there.
>
> ---------------------------------------------
>
> The tailgate trim on the Avant is absolutely the most sinister  
> piece of interior trim I have ever removed. It is simply Evil. I'd  
> like to contribute the following explanation to the Avant owners.  
> Take my word, and archive the following description. Otherwise, you  
> will most likely break various parts off your tailgate trim if you  
> ever need to go in there. TRUST ME!!!
>
> First, remove the two screws holding the two hooks for the sun  
> screen. Then, unsnap the top moddle piece in four locations. Unsnap  
> L and R side plastic pieces by pulling the trim pieces towards center.
>
> Next, remove the 2 black scres underneath the latch and one screw  
> on each side of the bottom panel. Pop out the secret flap type  
> compartments of the lateral parts of the carpeted section with a  
> flat screwdriver. These hidden compartments correspond to an area  
> behind each tailight. Unscrew one HIDDEN screw behind each secret  
> panel.
>
> Now, at the bottom of the handle trim below the torx screws are two  
> very small holes. Find a thin long object like a nail and push in  
> to the two holes. (I told you this was evil). When you've pushed  
> them down far enough the handle trim will simply seperate from the  
> tailgate trim. YOU DO NOT NEED TO TAKE OUT THE TORX SCREWS IN THE  
> DOOR HANDLE.
>
> Now, careful pulling in different sections top and bottom should  
> free up the whole thing. You can also reach in and pinch the inner  
> portion of the clamp while pulling that portion of the panel out.  
> The whole thing falls right in to your hands.
>
> Re-installing, should be somewhat of a reversal of the removal  
> procedure found above.
>
> Hope this helps someone out there.
> __________________
> Dan Hussey
> Atlanta, GA
>