Help - 328i Touring Tailgate trim

[meditek]

I have a new lock for my A36 328i Touring.

How do you remove the two plastic things that hold the trim in place. I have tried priziing them off but they don't want to know.

Thanks,

David

[El Presidente]

there should be two screws on the underside.

[meditek]

Yep, I expected that but how do I remove th plastic covers without ruining them?

thanks

[Q_BMW]

hey meditek
is this for your cylindrical key lock or the door locks ?
Q

[meditek]

Ok, the lock on the tailgate is u/s. I bought a whole new lock fitting with the press button and the mount at HUGE expense!

Trouble is I can't remove the plastic trim on the tailgate in order to get at the lock. It appears to have only two accessable fitting screws both covered by a neat plastic cover on the lower side - you look at them when you open the tailgate.

I have tried to lever them off using a screwdriver and steel rule to protect the trim but they just don't want to come off. I suspect there's a trick to this but haven't discovered it!

david

[El Presidente]

I don't know where my book is right now, but I am almost positive all you have to do is remove the screws. It could be on there wil some adhesive too (like the taillights). Try prying up on it from certain angles and it should unclip.

[meditek]

ghead ghead That's just it. I can't see these two screws anywhere. They must be under these darn plastic things, though the plastic things seem more like fasteners. Seems I'm going to have to take a photo.

David

[BeemerMan]

drive a hammer to a screwdiver and pull that thing off :nana

[meditek]

Here's the pic...

[El Presidente]

oooooooooooo.

I thought you meant you were replacing the lock above the plate area.

According to my book, in order to remove the latch there are three screws: one behind the lock, and two right next to it, much closer than the ones in your pic. The book doesn't mention anything about the touring model. Those circle look a lot like the plastic retaining clips elswhere in the car. You may be able to pry them up and out, and then remove the trim.

[meditek]

Thanks to this splendid web site http://rust.mine.nu/bmw/carselect.do I have discovered that they are 'expanding riverts'. These have a center section which you pry out with a small screwdriver, grab with pliers and pull. This releases the main body of the rivet.