Hatch Trim Panel Removal Help

A

aMaff

High Speed Low Drag

:

1992 Miata / 2003 Pathfinder

• Jun 26, 2006

• #1

So, like the title says, I'm trying to get the trim panel off of the hatch. Either one of the fasteners broke, or the panel did on the inside, because at one of the corners, it's hanging off of the hatch, and rattling every time I close it or drive over a bump. Anyway, here's what I've got:

Problem being, that doesn't help. Not even a little bit (besides showing where all the fasteners are lol). Will it come off by just pulling? It says it needs a "fastener remover," but I've never owned or used one, and I wouldn't know what it looks like, or if there's a specific one I need.

Any advice?

 

C

cilyjr

Member

Contributor

:

manual, MP5 2002

• Jun 26, 2006

• #2

i don't know about the rear hatch cover but the door panels, after removing 3 screws just pulls off

 

A

aMaff

High Speed Low Drag

:

1992 Miata / 2003 Pathfinder

• Jun 26, 2006

• #3

There aren't any screws...

 

C

cilyjr

Member

Contributor

:

manual, MP5 2002

• Jun 26, 2006

• #4

cilyjr said:

i don't know about the rear hatch cover but the door panels, after removing 3 screws just pulls off

Click to expand...

but i don't recomend just pulling on it look around carefully. if i have time tomorrow i will look at mine and see if i can find anything ...good luck

 

B

bumpin_p5

Member

:

2002.5 Mazda Protege5 SportAuto

• Jun 26, 2006

• #5

when I took mine off I just pulled the s*** out of it and it popped right off and I didn't break anything. It feels and sounds like stuff is breaking but it's not. sometimes the metal clips pop off of the plastic holder but just use some pliers and tighten them by squeezing them and replace them. then to put it back on just make sure all the clamps are in place and tap the panel and you should hear them 'pock' into place.

 

A

aMaff

High Speed Low Drag

:

1992 Miata / 2003 Pathfinder

• Jun 26, 2006

• #6

thanks a lot man, I think that's what I'm gonna have to do...

 

B

bumpin_p5

Member

:

2002.5 Mazda Protege5 SportAuto

• Jun 26, 2006

• #7

no problem man. I did it a few times already. fairly easy job.

 

K

Kansei

Banned

• Jun 26, 2006

• #8

Yeah I've done it a few times and now I'm missing 1 or 2 of the clips so it rattles. I wonder if you can just buy the clips

 

A

aMaff

High Speed Low Drag

:

1992 Miata / 2003 Pathfinder

• Jun 26, 2006

• #9

I'm pretty sure you can. Friend of mine works at a mazda dealership, I'll call him tomorrow and find out. Thanks for the help guys, now I just need to figure out which one is broken. Tomorrow's project!

 

B

Bala

quitas Veritas

Contributor

:

2003.5 323F

• Jun 26, 2006

• #10

KanseiZM said:

I wonder if you can just buy the clips

Click to expand...

Yes you can. I'm about to pull this trim panel off again for sound deadening and I'll get the part number. I picked up a handful of those clips from my local dealer before I pulled it off the first time. Those clips tweak easily - also, make note off where they are in the diagram and use the palm of your hand to make sure they are snapped into place (smack the panel hard). One last thing - these clips fit into a square cutout in the sheet metal. One of my "square holes" got a side pulled out of shape when I pulled the clip out and even with a new clip it would not sit flush. I hade to go back and tweak things back into shape with a plastic mallet.

 

B

bumpin_p5

Member

:

2002.5 Mazda Protege5 SportAuto

• Jun 26, 2006

• #11

KanseiZM said:

Yeah I've done it a few times and now I'm missing 1 or 2 of the clips so it rattles. I wonder if you can just buy the clips

Click to expand...

I did a quick search and found out that this is the company that makes them, I looked for them but couldnt find em, maybe you can. http://www.dormanproducts.com

 

T

Tasty

Member

:

2003 Protege5

• Jun 27, 2006

• #12

You can buy a tool that is made specifically to pop these types of clips out without destroying the panel (it's easier to do than you think) on cars. It looks like http://www.crutchfield.com/S-Hpbuf5eb6Ck/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?i=18187650&id=morephotos&a=&s=0&cc=01&g=820#morephotos

 

K

ke20sprinter

Member

:

Daily Driver Protege5

• Jun 27, 2006

• #13

Tasty said:

You can buy a tool that is made specifically to pop these types of clips out without destroying the panel (it's easier to do than you think) on cars. It looks like http://www.crutchfield.com/S-Hpbuf5eb6Ck/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?i=18187650&id=morephotos&a=&s=0&cc=01&g=820#morephotos

Click to expand...

Harbor Freight is cheaper...And you get the 4 piece set!

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=38386

WiL

 

A

aMaff

High Speed Low Drag

:

1992 Miata / 2003 Pathfinder

• Jun 27, 2006

• #14

ah, you've gotta love harbor freight (shady). Thanks for the link

 

T

Tasty

Member

:

2003 Protege5

• Jun 27, 2006

• #15

ke20sprinter said:

Harbor Freight is cheaper...And you get the 4 piece set!

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=38386

WiL

Click to expand...

Cheaper ROX!! So does more!!!!

 

S

sevsev

Member

:

'03 P5

• Jun 27, 2006

• #16

Somehow my clips keep coming off and disappearing so now I just leave the whole peice off

 

K

Kansei

Banned

• Dec 1, 2006

• #17

I left it off for a while but it is noticeably quieter with it back on, rattles and all. I think I'm missing 3 or 4 of the clips at this stage.