Ibiza tailgate reflector/panel

[phey708]

Hi,

I have a small problem. At the moment i am trying to remove the cheap plastic tailgate panels (left and right) and i want to install a set of the reflective panel seen on the Cupra models.

Having tried to take of the panels, i have noticed that there is a special type of screwhead in the middle of the panel which i dont know how to get out. It is like a star shape screw and i think i need to remove that in order to remove the plastic panels from the tailgate.

Can anyone offer some insight on what tool i will need to get this damn screw out?

 

[abhardwaj1990]

i think quite a few people have had this problem, its a weird screw,
i think you'll have to drill a small whole straight through the screw head, then gradually get bigger until its out.

 

[phey708]

Hmm i never thought of that

edit: Cant seem to drill into the screw easily, there must be an other way perhaps?

 

[abhardwaj1990]

yeah once its out you can use whatever screw you like

 

[phey708]

does anyone else know of the tool required or method to get the damn screw out?

 

[cupra.al]

sounds like a torx screw to me although i might be wrong.
take a photo so we can see what your talking about.

 

[abhardwaj1990]

no its not a torx, ive seen and tried it, its abit oddly shaped, just drill it out mate

 

[orangemuffin]

Hurrmmm, i dont remember having this problem....maybe thinking back i unscrewed from the other side ???

or maybe i didnt.

 

[Fl@pper]

unscrew it with pliers from the inside is the easy way and use a new clip/screw of your choice

the head is a 9 slotted screw with a unique head that needs a 'seat' special tool that didn't work anyway

replace it with a torx/security bit to be safe

 

[toonfiend]

You wont get it out mate,Its more like a rivet than a bolt, remove your inside panel on your bootlid and use a dremel tool or grinder to take the back off it then punch it out, just replace it with a normal bolt.

 

[phey708]

I cant seem to get to the damn screw cause the rear window wiper spindle is in the way and that means having to unbolt the damn spindle and mess around even more. What if i use a large hex key as a punch, and hit it with a hammer to try and force the screw 'rivit' out?

 

[Fl@pper]

take the window motor out if it's in the way it's an easy remove

 

[phey708]

Hi i am still having problems. I cant drill the screw out as it is forged steel and i will only damage it, i cant use pliers from the other side because i cant get a proper grip and any attempt will damage my pliers, and i cant seem to find any tool to extract the screw either. Does anyone have any other methods or a tool i can use to get the damn thing out it is really getting on my nerves and i want my shiny new reflectors applied to my car.

 

[bete noir]

I cut off the white plastic lugs on the inside that the screw goes into, then gave the screw (pointy) end a couple of friendly taps until it came out. When I put the new panels in I used a nut and bolt instead of the pesky screw.

 

[Brummy]

get hold of some long-nose pliers rather than your regular common-or-garden variety, so much easier

 

[CraigW]

I cut off the white plastic lugs on the inside that the screw goes into, then gave the screw (pointy) end a couple of friendly taps until it came out. When I put the new panels in I used a nut and bolt instead of the pesky screw.

Thats what I did aswell. I then reversed the white nylon bit so that it was like a nut and I put it on the inside of the bootlid. Replaced the funny head screw with just a normal screw. Works so much better and the panel sits much better than it did before.

 

[phey708]

Ok i give that a try. I already cut parts of the white plastic rivit with cable cutters from the inside, i will try and tap the screw with a large hex bolt and a rubber mallet out of the rivit via the inside and hope that it pops out lol. I can then use a decent machine bolt, a washer and a nut after i fit my shiny GTi reflector to the car. I will post some pics when its done to show what it looks like.