Removing interior panels

[Richard Chang]

I'm trying to remove the interior panel around the rear quarter window
in a 2003 Forester. This is the window in the trunk area. I found the
screws underneath the hook and underneath the clip for the cargo cover.
It appears that the only things holding the panel down are some metal
clips.

How am I supposed to get these out?

The plastic panels have these "arrowheads" that fit in the metal clips.
But, once they're in they don't come out. The metal clips have side
pieces that get stuck in the hole. I either have to break the plastic
"arrowheads" or the metal clips. (I would opt to break the metal clips
since they look easier to replace.) What is the standard procedure for
removing these???

Richard

 

[WRXtreme]

I'm trying to remove the interior panel around the rear quarter window
in a 2003 Forester. This is the window in the trunk area. I found the
screws underneath the hook and underneath the clip for the cargo cover.
It appears that the only things holding the panel down are some metal
clips.

How am I supposed to get these out?

The plastic panels have these "arrowheads" that fit in the metal clips.
But, once they're in they don't come out. The metal clips have side
pieces that get stuck in the hole. I either have to break the plastic
"arrowheads" or the metal clips. (I would opt to break the metal clips
since they look easier to replace.) What is the standard procedure for
removing these???

Richard

You can get a trim panel removal tool from most automotive stores (Checker,
NAPA, Autozone, Super Autobacs, etc...) that will remove the panels
(including clips) w/o destroying them.