[s-cars] Avant rear hatch trim removal

[Douglas Fifield]

Is there any chance that someone could post a write-up with pictures
of this process?  I know that I will be digging into mine eventually.

D.


On Sun, Mar 28, 2010 at 10:09 AM, McCall, Randy <rmccall at nexant.com> wrote:
> 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>
> 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
>
>
>
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-- 
Douglas in MN
95.5 Audi S//6 Avant
73 BMW R60/5 mit Toaster Tank