[s-cars] Avant rear hatch trim removal

[Manuel Sanchez]

Fellow S-Heads,

Thanks to all for the advice.

I have removed all the tailgate trim.  In my case I did not need to  
worry myself with the removal of the interior plastic grab handle,  
because that fell out last fall.

Bill, your written description of where the "hidden" screws was very  
good, "secret screws are in the upper outer corners of the also  
secret flaps".

While I did unscrew the screws, upon removal there really was not a  
reason to in my case, as the plastic that these screws used to press  
against the metal tailgate frame had broken off already.

By the looks of it, either Hans and Frans had a jolly old time with  
the hot glue gun back at the factory that day, or the previous owner  
did. Globs of glue everywhere there seemed to be a screw fastener.

My reason for removal was an escaping air/hissing sound from the rear  
end (there's a softball for someone....).

Turns out I have a little leak/tear in the rubber grommet thing is at  
one end of the lock actuator for the trunk (4A9862153A). There is a  
short metal rod coming out of this grommet that connects to another  
component of the lock mechanism. I hope this part is still available  
from the stealer.

Regards,

Manny
95.5 urS6 (squeak free tailgate trim because there aint none now)


On Mar 28, 2010, at 11:09 AM, McCall, Randy 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
>
>
>