Hi All,

I've just noticed that the gloss black plastic applique panel on the front edge of both rear door windows have cracked about an inch from the base, The panels aren't overly expensive, but I just can't work out how to get the old ones off.

Over to the brain pool for any insight!

Wombat

 

Hi All,

Just managed to work this out for myself and it really isn't that difficult.

The first thing to note is that the old plastic is extremely brittle, if you do need to remove them for any reason, they'll be in a thousand pieces by the time you've finished. New ones run at about $38.

To start.

1, Lower the rear window
2. Pull the rubber seal from the front edge of the window opening and the top edge.
3. Remove the 3 torx screws...the lower one is tricky to get at.
4, Remove the rubber seal on the front edge of the applique...they just pull out from the channel. At this point you will break your first piece of old plastic.
5. Remove one torx screw that is at the front of the door (on the inside) and about level with the waist bright strip.
6. Starting at the front , gently pry the upper bright strip from the top of the door...it comes off in the same direction as the door opens.
7 Tug up on the rubber seal from the window opening (The one in step 2)
8. Collect all the bits that have shattered.

When refitting, push the rubber seal into the 3" 'tail' that fits inside the door before reassemble.

First door was 45mins, second was under 10.

Hope that helps,

Wombat

 

It helps a lot but any chance you could post a picture or two?
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Clubairth1,

Yep, my bad! I really should have taken photos, sorry.

The job, puzzled me for weeks, even having the new parts didn't help very much. In the end I worked out that I just needed to pull the rubber seals away from both sides of the applique, after that it's obvious what needs to be done. (Pulling the seals away causes the old appliques to shatter).

You do not need to pull the door card (as was suggested), just the rubber window and door seals. Removing the top bright work was the only thing that caused a 'pucker factor', even that was just nerves from trashing a $200 part that actually came off (and went back) on very easily.

wombat

 

Thanks for the added details as this is NOT a common repair but is a bit fiddly as they say!
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Do you remember what size torx bit

 

I think it was a T25. Not 100% on that.

 

Can anyone tell me of a slick way to install the new one? I was thinking silicone spray, but if there’s a better way, please.

 

I found they just went straight in without any problem. You have to feed them in at a slight angle and ensure that the rubber seal is already seated in the 'tail' that sits inside the door.

wombat