Removing rear side paniers

[Mundy]

Has anyone removed the rear side panier covers (storage areas in 5 seater in lieu of extra seats) who can advise if its possible to do it in a way which doesn't destroy the side cover or the connecting clips? My car is D2 (2004). If so, how do you do it. I'd like to remove a cover but don't want to do so if I can put it back if what I want to do doesn't work out.

Cheers
Mundy

[2 rocks]

Mundy
I've had the rear trim casings out a few times, but not the actual panniers alone. A (very) quick look at RAVE didn't seem to show their removal, but from what I recall (on my way to the fuel pump) was it might be possible to release the retaining clips and minimising any damage, by removing the the rear trim casing and attacking them from "inside" of the casing.
I'm sure someone wil have done this and can be more definite than I...
Cheers
Mike

[feral]

This is very easy.....unless you have fat hands :p

There are screws which hold the 'paniers' in place. They can be accessed by removing the rear vents at the extreme rear of the cargo area. You should see one of the screws as soon as you remove the vent.

For the front of the 'paniers' you have to remove the top cap which the rear passenger seat belt goes into. The two screws can then be accessed and the panier removed.

Now...the hard bits. You are really going by feel as you are unable to see a thing as it is that tight in there. And...the screws use a 'Torx' head. Best you get a set of these as there is a lot of these screws used.

Also a very good idea is to get a Rave Cd. It will show you how to dismantle everything.

[Mundy]

Thanks to you both, each idea is good. I had looked in RAVE but couldn't see any reference to the paniers.

Cheers
Mundy

[2 rocks]

I had looked in RAVE but couldn't see any reference to the paniers.
Cheers
Mundy

Me neither....
Mike

[mrapocalypse]

Just bash em out with your hand. That's what I did about an hour ago! Hit nice and close to the clip on the inside. You'll need a teeny weeny torx wrench if you decide to undo the screws on the inside!