[s-cars] Avant rear hatch trim removal

[McCall, Randy]

Manny,

I recently did this on my 95.5 Avant and also had a bit of trouble
figuring it out at first - the screw is in the top tab that captures the
plastic buttons on the flap - your naugabeast cover has probably closed
over the small Phillips screw obscuring it.  

The harder part for me was the last step in getting the handle trim at
the bottom to release.  I used a couple of small tools to finally get
that to release, but it was not cooperative and like you I didn't want
to cause more damage. 

I found lots of cracks and broken things once it all came apart - I used
an old gun-type soldering iron that puts out quite a bit of heat and
some sacrificial trim parts from my old wreck to re-weld every place
that was either cracked or broken - especially the standoff mounts that
the trim is attached to the tailgate with, and there were quite a few.
I had experimented with ABS cements, but that was a blind hole that was
completely unsuccessful. Essentially I melted both the base material of
the trim to weld cracks, and some added plastic on the back side of
cracks, as gussets for two broken mounts, and miscellaneous places that
the plastic was damaged. I made sure not to over weld such that it
showed on the front side such as around screw holes.  I also made sure
to weld together any cracks around holes through which the screws on the
bottom and sides hold the trim to the tailgate - that was a bit more
delicate work.  Finally I added a thin strip of the fuzzy part of
industrial strength Velcro to the surfaces that touch the tailgate metal
- end result is a quite and non-rattling tailgate!  First time with two
different Avants that this has been true!

Good luck!

-Randy 

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>
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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