Vert linkage cover plate replacement

[DirtDog15]

Hello everyone:

I just bought both of the cover plates that go on the rear interior trim panels that hide the top linkage when it is down:


I want to know how you replace these things, it appears that they just slide into place on the trim panel. I'm going to be replacing them this weekend and can't find any info on how to do it and I don't want to break anything. I searched the forums and google with no result. Can someone help me out?

Thanks.
Jack

[Semblance]

There are I think three clips under the part you are replacing. Two are small and can be popped off with a screwdriver, just be careful not to drop them inside the door. They are toward the front I believe. And you have to open the flap to access them. They are on the LEFT side of the part in your image. The last clip is a big one and also grips the window weatherstrip, it's toward the rear on the right side of the part in the image you posted.

Once these are off you slide the old part out to the rear.

[DirtDog15]

There are I think three clips under the part you are replacing. Two are small and can be popped off with a screwdriver, just be careful not to drop them inside the door. They are toward the front I believe. And you have to open the flap to access them. They are on the right side of the part in your image. The last clip is a big one and also grips the window weatherstrip, it's toward the rear on the right side of the part in the image you posted.

Once these are off you slide the old part out to the rear.

AWESOME!!! That is what I needed to know. Thank you. I will be doing that this weekend after it stops raining. Also, I am replacing the seal for the top compartment cover. It just slides over a lip like the trunk seal doesn't it? (I already replaced my trunk seal a few months ago)

[Semblance]

The tonneau seal is in a channel actually. You'll see when you pull it out. I used 3m weatherstrip adhesive but have been told it's not necessary. You might clean your drains while you're doing all this, too.

[Semblance]

Oh and there's a typo in my first post, the little clips are on the LEFT side of the part in your image. I'll edit the post. Mine were all rusty but I reused them and it worked fine.

[DirtDog15]

The tonneau seal is in a channel actually. You'll see when you pull it out. I used 3m weatherstrip adhesive but have been told it's not necessary. You might clean your drains while you're doing all this, too.

Oh and there's a typo in my first post, the little clips are on the LEFT side of the part in your image. I'll edit the post. Mine were all rusty but I reused them and it worked fine.

Thanks again. I already cleaned the drains out when I replaced the gas struts on the cover a few months ago but I will check them again just to be safe. And I noticed the typo and figured out what you meant. Thanks again for the help.

[Semblance]

Sure. I just eyeballed mine today. The really big clip is ver obvious with the window down. The little ones are hard to see - there is one directly below each of the two hinges for the flap.

Have fun!

[DirtDog15]

Well, I got the seal and the cover plates changed this weekend. :D the seal was easy, I just pulled the old one out, wiped the channel out with a wet rag, and pushed the new one in. It was a bit of a pain to get it in the channel behind the hinges for the lid, but I got it. I noticed that there was some yellow looking glue in the channel, I guess that BMW used some kind of adhesive on the original seal. I didn't use any adhesive on the new one. After I installed the seal, I shut the cover and soaked the entire seam with the garden hose. I opened the cover back up and the inside of the compartment was completely dry. :D So, I guess I did it right. The cover plates were pretty easy, except the front most small clips, taking them off was no problem, but getting them back on was a pain in the ass. I got them done though. :up: Thanks for the help.

[Semblance]

Great! Yeah that yellow stuff is weatherstrip adhesive, but I don't think it's needed.

[phenryiv1]

I need to do all of these things...covers, tonneau cover seal...Why must 'verts have so many unique and expensive parts?!?