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Tailgate exterior panel are they easy to change?
Posted: Thu May 28, 2009 5:16 pm
by carlod
Hi All,
has anyone out there ever replaced the tailgate exterior panel( the part with the handles reflective Panes & number plate holder) ?? My reflectors are cracked & I can get a replacement panel for £25 which is very reasonable. but how difficult is it to remove & refit?
Re: Tailgate exterior panel are they easy to change?
Posted: Thu May 28, 2009 6:36 pm
by Bulwell Bongoleers
Hi,
swapped mine a few months back,you have to take the panel off on the inside of the tailgate as there are a couple of nuts inside there. one on each side of the tailgate on the edge and the handles which are held on by 4 bolts and the opening handle on the outside and the inner one too. took me about an hour and a half. 
Andy
Re: Tailgate exterior panel are they easy to change?
Posted: Thu May 28, 2009 8:04 pm
by carlod
thanks andy, that was very helpful... seeing as it took you an hour & a half, I will put aside a day to do it!
carlo
Re: Tailgate exterior panel are they easy to change?
Posted: Thu May 28, 2009 11:16 pm
by cheffy34
Don't forget the snap in connector type thingies, don't just pull it off you will need the connectors again
4 in total if i remember rightly, you will have to get the internal panel off first(beware of the black stuff)
, you will need a screw driver or summt to push the edges in while pulling the panel off
8 10mm nuts on handles, 2 inside the tailgate and 2 up by the open handle
should only take 15 mins to get it off and 15 to get it back on
Oh by the way if your number plate is screwed on aswell chances are it will be self tappers str8t thru the plastic and into the metal
Dar
Re: Tailgate exterior panel are they easy to change?
Posted: Fri May 29, 2009 9:36 am
by carlod
cheers cheffy! I will let you know how much damage i do!
carlo
Re: Tailgate exterior panel are they easy to change?
Posted: Fri May 29, 2009 12:31 pm
by Bulwell Bongoleers
I think i have a few of the fixings spare for this as the panel i bought came with them, As i managed to change mine without breaking any so if you need any let me know and i'll see what iv'e got.
Also have my old rear panel nothing wrong with it i just changed it for one with the orange reflector at the top mine was grey at the top.
Andy