Body exterior fittings - removal and refitting

Bodywork and fittings / Body exterior fittings - removal and refitting

Removal
Wheel arch liners
and body under-panels
1 The various plastic covers fitted to the underside of the vehicle are secured in position by screws, nuts or retaining clips and removal will be fairly obvious on inspection, Work methodically around the panel removing its retaining screws and releasing its retaining clips until the panel is free and can be removed from the underside of the vehicle.

Most clips used on the vehicle, except for the fasteners which are used to secure the wheelarch liners in position, are simply prised out of position. The wheelarch liner clips are released by pressing out their centre pins and then removing the outer section of the clip; new clips will be required on refitting if the centre pins are not recovered.

Body trim strips and badges 2 The various body trim strips and badges are held in position with special adhesive tape or pop rivets. Removal of trim attached with tape requires the trim/badge to be heated, to soften the adhesive, and then cut away from the surface. Due to the high risk of damage to the vehicle’s paintwork during this operation, it is recommended that this task should be entrusted to a VW dealer. Removal of trim secured with pop rivets requires the heads of the rivets to be removed using a drill of suitable diameter.

Refitting
3 On refitting wheel arch liners and underpanels, renew any retaining clips that may have been broken on removal, and ensure that the panel is securely retained by all the relevant clips and screws. On refitting the body trim strips and badges, clean the body surface before pressing the tape-secured type, and use new pop rivets when securing the other type.