[s-cars] Avant rear hatch trim removal

[Tom Green]

Yep, your temptation will lead to broken hatch trim, Manny.  You will  
probably
have enough epoxy repair to do without ripping it off.  The two  
phillips head
screws are probably pulled down into the trim enough to hide them.  A  
brlght
light on the upper (inner, I think) corners should reveal a place to  
try the
phillips screwdriver.  These two fasteners are really important for  
holding the
cover in place.

When you have the handle free and are pulling the snap in fasteners  
loose, it
helps to pull as close to the fastener as possible and perhaps try  
that pinch the
inner portion to release.  The upper fasteners have had to hold that  
heavy
roller screen in place so you would like to get them back on  
undamaged.  I
wound up with a lot of epoxy and reinforcing tape, blind rivets on  
aluminum
strips, and whatever I could find to repair things.

Tom

> -----Original Message-----
> Date: Sat, 27 Mar 2010 16:24:58 -0400
> From: Manuel Sanchez <manuelsanchez at starpower.net>
> Subject: [s-cars] Avant rear hatch trim removal
> To: s-car-list list <s-car-list at audifans.com>
> Message-ID: <34B7B7FA-864D-4B92-8E45-378A6946ABEB at starpower.net>
> Content-Type: text/plain;	charset=US-ASCII;	delsp=yes;	format=flowed
>
> 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