How to remove the liftgate panel on Windstar to change the wiper motor?

How to remove the liftgate panel on Windstar to change the wiper motor?

I already broke a small corner of the plastic panel.
How should I do it right to remove the panel safely?

Thanks.

Jian

(Jian) writes:

> How to remove the liftgate panel on Windstar to change the wiper motor?

I think you mean removing the interior trim panel from the
liftgate. Am I correct?

> I already broke a small corner of the plastic panel.
> How should I do it right to remove the panel safely?

It's held on with about 38 press-in plastic studs. If you pry
carefully near each one, you can get it off without damage to the
panel; I have done so. You probably should replace all the studs,
though, and you might even break a few off. All for the sake of quick
assembly and no visible screws.

I decided my rear wiper motor was dead, but that I would defer the
$160 cost of a new one. Did you find a cheaper one?

--
-Stephen H. Westin
Any information or opinions in this message are mine: they do not
represent the position of Cornell University or any of its sponsors.

Thanks Stephen:

> > How to remove the liftgate panel on Windstar to change the wiper motor?
>
> I think you mean removing the interior trim panel from the
> liftgate. Am I correct?
>

Yes, you are right. The wiper became weak and cannot move the wiper
any more, and even the wiper is taken off, the motor makes noise.
It's either the motor or gear. But I decided to replece the whole
thing. I'm in Canada. It's needed for winter snow.

> > I already broke a small corner of the plastic panel.
> > How should I do it right to remove the panel safely?
>
> It's held on with about 38 press-in plastic studs. If you pry
> carefully near each one, you can get it off without damage to the
> panel; I have done so. You probably should replace all the studs,
> though, and you might even break a few off. All for the sake of quick
> assembly and no visible screws.
>
> I decided my rear wiper motor was dead, but that I would defer the
> $160 cost of a new one. Did you find a cheaper one?

How should I 'press-in'? What's the right direction and way to
press these studs? I'll have time to do it in the weekend.
Please advice me about your valuable experience of how to remove
the trim panel.

Thank you in-advance.

Jian