rear door trim panel 1997 850 wagon

michael schulte · Post by **michael schulte** » 24 Mar 2007, 09:33

Final fix for rear door trim panel on 850 wagons. Go to your local mom and pop hardware store and purchase 4 rubber grommets size 9/16od x 1/4 id x 1/16 x 3/8. Insert the grommets into the oval holes of the alumium plates attached to the trim panel. Using your OEM panel fastners, force them into the center of the grommets and your done. My trim panel has not come loose for a year.

Volgrrr · Post by **Volgrrr** » 01 Apr 2007, 23:50

A very practical solution to a common problem with these vehicles.

I have a spare Grocon kit for the next time mine starts to rattle but if/when it does then I will use your method instead.

All I've got to do now is find out some way of keeping the blasted tailgate stoplight cover locked firmly into position instead of always tilting to one side fractionally.

Buck380 · Post by **Buck380** » 19 May 2007, 16:28

I tried the grommet method and it does indeed work! Thanks Michael!
500 miles and still silent.
(Now I'll let my wife test it for a year...I swear when she slams that tailgate, her feet come off the ground and my 850's headlights bulge out...)

squeaky3 · Post by **squeaky3** » 25 May 2009, 12:31

To those of you who replied to this question, I need to remove and replace my 1995 850 GLT wagon's tailgate panel. I have a junkyard replacement carpetted panel and the bottom plastic trim, which is loose on one side, and the top of the panel is also loose. The handle on the replacement was broken, so I experimented in removing it, following Haynes' instructions, and the rest of it broke. The handle on the one still on the car is good. I need to know how to safely remove the handle, the panel, and the trim, and reinstall same. This is driving me nuts. Please help. (I've asked this question a half dozen times before, with no replies.)

Post by **vegasjetskier** » 25 May 2009, 12:46

squeaky3 wrote:To those of you who replied to this question, I need to remove and replace my 1995 850 GLT wagon's tailgate panel. I have a junkyard replacement carpetted panel and the bottom plastic trim, which is loose on one side, and the top of the panel is also loose. The handle on the replacement was broken, so I experimented in removing it, following Haynes' instructions, and the rest of it broke. The handle on the one still on the car is good. I need to know how to safely remove the handle, the panel, and the trim, and reinstall same. This is driving me nuts. Please help. (I've asked this question a half dozen times before, with no replies.)

VADIS says to use the V70 tailgate on the 850, so hopefully these directions will apply to what you're doing.

V70TailgatePanel1997.pdf: (247.97 KiB) Downloaded 1397 times

squeaky3 · Post by **squeaky3** » 25 May 2009, 13:05

Dear Vadis:

Thanks for the help, but the directions seem a lot more complicated and unnecessary for what I want to do. Maybe, I hope not, I'm wrong. It wasn't like this to get the junkyard one off, but the junkyard guy did it and, of course, he doesn't care.

squeaky3

KRUZNBY · Post by **KRUZNBY** » 25 May 2009, 13:34

Anything else I should inspect/replace while I have the back panel off?

The previous owner had the metal repair kit installed on the panel at one time, but had to remove the panel a second time to force open the door as I am told. I bought the car with the panel just lying in the cargo area. Looks like I just need to buy some plastic fasteners and I will look for some of these grommets as well.

Johnny Cook · Post by **Johnny Cook** » 27 Mar 2012, 06:08

I tried the rubber grommet approach to fix my loose tailgate panel and I finally got it to work. One additional word of advice to any of you who might experience frustration with this repair. I had to learn how to gently apply a rocking pressure to each of the 4 clip posts when pressing them into the rubber grommet-holes. If you use the typical fist-slam/hammer approach you’ll only succeed in knocking the rubber grommets loose and pushing them through the holes. Just be slow and gentle with your insertion and rock it slowly to allow the rubber time to adjust to the plastic pin. A little persistence will win out and the panel will fit very securely.
Thanks for posting this solution as I was real close to getting out my 4 inch dry wall screws and going for glory like a mad man possessed. I can’t stand rattles.

Johnny Cook · Post by **Johnny Cook** » 20 Jun 2012, 10:53

Well, I have an update. I finally did have to resort to using cedar blocks (cut from a 2x4 to the exact size needed) and epoxy glue and to finally secure the panel to my newly installed wood blocks I used 4 deck screws. It is very secure now and there are no rattles at all. By using the screws to secure the entire panel I have the option of unscrewing it to service the window wiper, etc.
The rubber grommet thing sounds like a great idea and if my panel’s holes had not already been worn to a larger size this might have worked well, but ultimately I had to use screws with upholstery washers to solve the problem.