Hi, just wondering if anyone could tell me how to remove the interior side rear panels? I've done a search in lots of places with no help. Pics would be really helpful. Is it simple just a matter of taking the rear seats out and pulling the trim off?
cheers
ash

 

I took mine off to install a roll bar then modified them so that I could reinstall.
I did take photos and will try to find them.

Remove seat
Pop out keepers on the bottom
Lift UP and off window ledge

 

I removed mine to get rid of the seatbelts when I did my rear seat delete, and I too had to modify mine for refitment. Unless you can buy some new panels, or you are skilled at fabricating stuff, I would just leave them be.

 

What did you have to modify? Did some of the clips break?

 

i also removed mine to instal some ice
just remove the seats..and 3 screws on each side in the trunk,if i remember correctly... and pull the pannel off..a clip or 2 might break..but get a few new ones at the dealer or don't..there are a lot of clips, 1 missing won't make the difference..

it seems a bigger job then it actually is just get in there, remove seats and rip panels off ...

good luck

 

Basically, there is a strap that holds the panel to the pillar. If you cut that, you definitely have to buy a new panel. I didn't cut mine, however, I had a couple of clips bend to the point where they would have broken off. So, I used epoxy to secure the clips. Once they dried, I was able to snap them back into the pillar. Loc Tite 2 part epoxy is really strong to resecure the clips to the trim piece. I didn't have to take mine completely out to get to the torx screw to remove the upper portion of the seat belt. If you plan on taking yours out to paint, which honestly would look really good (I don't care for the German two tone interiors, VW is guilty of this also), just make sure you can put it back into place successfully before having it painted. That way you know whether you need to buy new ones or not.

 

What year I may know where just what you're lookin' for.