HELP - Can't Seem to Remove Rear Quarter Trim for Strut Job?

[Shytheed Dumas]

Changing my rear struts seems to be a PITA for the stupidest reason: I can't get the damn rear quarter trim off! I have removed every screw I can find, and am stuck up front, where the quarter trim seats under the trim alongside the back seat (the bracket that catches the backseat fold down latch is located here). I thought I could kind of twist the trim out from underneath with everything else removed, but all that did was crack the trim. At least it was in a place that won't show.

Is there a hidden screw somewhere or have I missed something else (hopefully not too obvious)? Dylan's how to (#45) says to beware of front screws, but I will be damned if I can find another one unless it's completely hidden. Do I need to remove more trim? If so what and how? Thanks in advance for any quick response. I plan to hit this again first thing in the morning. -Kurt

 

[IJ.]

Did you get the screw under the speaker cover?

 

[JonoTurbo]

You have to remove the plastic covers over the rear seat catch, and there is a screw in there holding it in, as well as one lower down in the same area somewhere. There is also one underneath the rear carpet facing forward along the bottom edge.

 

[Shytheed Dumas]

You have to remove the plastic covers over the rear seat catch, and there is a screw in there holding it in, as well as one lower down in the same area somewhere. There is also one underneath the rear carpet facing forward along the bottom edge.

I am having a hard time getting the cover off the catch. The screw is out, but there's a hook on top of the cover holding it on that I guess will need to be twisted off? I can see the bolts holding the catch on, but nothing else. I'll take a closer look once I get the cover off. I probably missed the screw under the carpet, but I will look for it, too. One or both of these are probably the problem. Thanks!

The screw under the speaker grill is already out.

 

[chriso]

You also have to take the back seat out if you haven't already done so.

 

[Shytheed Dumas]

Didn't need to take the back seat out, but it was the one screw near the seat catch that I missed holding me back.

Now I can't seem to get the f'ing strut assembly back in. I can get two of the three top screws through, but not the outermost one. The bottom of the strut extends too far and bumps up against the rubber boot. Everything is bottomed out, so there's no more room there, and I even tried using the spring compressors to make things a little more forgiving. TSRM, Haynes and Dylan's How To all say 'install'. Is this supposed to be that easy, is there a trick I'm missing, or is it just a bitch to install?

 

[suprastanger507mgte]

Didn't need to take the back seat out, but it was the one screw near the seat catch that I missed holding me back.

Now I can't seem to get the f'ing strut assembly back in. I can get two of the three top screws through, but not the outermost one. The bottom of the strut extends too far and bumps up against the rubber boot. Everything is bottomed out, so there's no more room there, and I even tried using the spring compressors to make things a little more forgiving. TSRM, Haynes and Dylan's How To all say 'install'. Is this supposed to be that easy, is there a trick I'm missing, or is it just a bitch to install?

Yo need to push the rear control arm down and slide the bottom of the shock in its place, line up the holes on top and slowly release the lower control arm. It will push it in place. It is very easy to do..

 

[Shytheed Dumas]

Got it, and now I get it. Other side won't be so bad. It's easy once you push the lower arm down, but Haynes said the stupid thing had to be supported by a jack throughout the job. Impossible that way. Thanks for your help.