Is Replacing the rear Licence plate shroud on a 97 ltd a PITA? Any help or instructions would be greatly appreciated!

 

pop off the inner panel undo a couple of bolts

 

yep, it's not a bad job. just be careful, it has a couple bolts but is also held on with some little plastic pop off tabs that can break easy or may shatter from being old and brittle. there are also some electronic connectors for the rear lock and license plate lights to disconnect. and don't over tighten the bolts or you'll put a crease in the hatch sheet metal.

 

Moderate pain in the ass. Have someone around with small hands, a small flashlight and finger drive wrench.

 

Take off the interior panel (one 10mm bolt under the inside handle and a bunch of clips) and both access panels (10mm bolts). You kinda have to look hard but there are two nuts attaching the handle to the mechanism. They are a slight PITA to reach but not to bad. One nut and I wanna say five clips hold the surround on. Needle nose pliers make quick work of the clips and all the fasteners are 10mm. Disconnect the electrical plugs (two, one for the lock, one for the tag lights) and the lock mechanism from the arm (just pop the little plastic piece sideways and slip the rod out.) Then it should shimmy right out. When you reinstall it make sure you re-attach the handle mechanism correctly, it's VERY EASY to do it upside down. Ask me how I know. Test the latch operation before you close up the access panels or close the door. All in all it's not that hard.

 

Fixed that for you. My fingers are still sore....


Andreas