Hi

I need to replace the rear wiper motor ( and fix rattle) on my 96 850 T5. I have a Haynes workshop Manuel which is SUPPOSED to "cover" cars from 93-96. I found the section on how to remove tailgate trim panel and step one is to remove the cover around the inner handle of tailgate. It says you need to force a spatula under the upper edge and force it down. Seemed easy enough but when i tried it the edge of the trim just bends and the trim does not move. I tried again putting considerable force on the spatula But nothing. I was expecting it to just pop out with relative ease but I wasn't to be so lucky so I gave up with that method for fear of breaking something.

I was wondering if any one had a better method of doing this or maybe this method does work and I'm just doing something wrong.

Thanks in advance.

I too need to fix a few rattles in my back gate, and clean out the washer fluid line, but I havent managed to get around to it yet. I may try to do it this weekend, so if you are unable to come up with any solutions, I will get some pictures of the process and post them (if I am able to get to it this weekend).

Use of a spatula just sounds funny to me, but with Haynes I am not too surprised. As an indistrual mechanic, I must admit a spatula has never been a tool in my toolbox...haha. I expect it is for safety, as the spatula should bend before the plastic trim breaks.

if you have a pocket knife, like a swiss army for example, use the long blade, if i remember correctly, on the long side, there is a press tab that must be pressed for it to pop out. a trowel is also good since you can lever the whole blade and encompass the whole length of the handle at once. steady even pressure. don't go all hulk on it and tear the whole thing off. steady. good luck.

I've done it

I managed to get the entire tailgate trim off today. I did try the pocket knife and trowel but had no luck so i decided to try a long thin metal screwdriver. Instead of just forcing it under the edge i forced it right up inside the trim panel and it worked. i found out that there are three push tabs but i did not depress them i just bent the trim downward enough for the tabs to unhook them selfs. I also went about removing the wiper motor which was very easy. I am going to have to by a hole new mechanism though as this one is seriously seized up.

I usually use a screwdriver myself. The spatula never seemed to work. :P

Did you remember to also push/pull it upwards to release the lock?