dbv1

Tools needed:
- Trim removal tools
- Torx T20 screwdriver
- Small sturdy flat head screwdriver to unclip the strut

1. Open the door in the middle of the liner and remove the 2 T20 screws behind (red arrows).

2. Using a trim removal tool, pop the cover off the latch.


3. Move to the left handle. Remove the 2 T20 screws (blue arrows) and then unclip the light using the trim removal tools (yellow arrows). Disconnect the light by squeezing the 2 nipples sticking out and pulling back. Don't try remove the entire plastic piece (red arrows), it's glued to the liner.


4. Move right. Pop close button using the trim removal tools and then disconnect it (top yellow arrow) and remove the single T20 behind it (blue arrow). Also pop the light and disconnect it (bottom yellow arrow).

5. At this point, the liner is held by the dozen clips (red circles) because you removed all 5 screws (blue circles). Either with your hands or using the trim tools, start popping the clips. It's a lot scarier than it looks but you're not likely to break those metal clips.


6. Unclip the connector to the both struts and pull it away (red arrow). Pull the whole harness outside of the tailgate.


7. The struts are held in place by the metal clips in the pic. Using a flat head screwdriver, push up the clip to disconnect it (red arrow). I've found that pushing the clip all the back or forth also disengages it. If you pop off the clip completely, don't worry, just push it back on. After the clips have been dealt with, you can pull the strut off. You could use help for this step. When you remove one of the struts, the hatch will want to close. You can do it alone though, if have the new strut unclipped and near by.


8. Reverse all the steps to put everything back together.