bagofchips

All- I am in the middle of trying to re-attach the interior panel trim on the lower part of my RX300's rear tail gate. I understand that I need as many as 2 of part 67771-30060 (the side retainer clips) and 3 of part 67771-12010 (the lower retainer clips). I have them already -- can be had for some degree of robbery from Lexus dealer or equivalent parts from Toyota (don't know if part number is different).

Anyway, I need some detailed input on how to do the re-attach.

Don't the clips need to be pre-separated from the anchors they come attached to? Seems like the anchors go into the tailgate body panel itself and then the little male "chess pawn" pieces get slid onto the metal brackets attached to the panel trim, and only then would you try to mate the male to the female. I assume I don't just attach the whole 2-piece assemblies to the panel trim and then use a good blow on each attachment point to seat the anchors into the tailgate itself? Seems like you'd need to pre-install the anchors for a good seating, but it also seems like the 2 parts are very well attached to each other such that I can't get them apart without damaging one or both.

Also, I need some advice on how to re-attach a metal bracket to the panel trim. In trying to trial-attach one of the clips to a bracket, I managed to tear the bracket loose from the panel trim. (Doh!) The metal bracket appears to be glued to a clear plastic (~ 10 mil thick) tab which in turn is glued to the panel trim itself. Any recommendations on what kind of adhesive would work best? (The tear-off occurred between trim panel and the tab, not bracket and tab.) Absent any other advice I'm thinking Liquid Nails construction adhesive.

Many thanks.

JAB

I think that you are going to have to attach photos before we can make any sense of your request. . .

bagofchips

For starters, here's the clip itself. If you've ever worked w/ a clip like this, you should know what I'm asking about. Else I'll post a pic of the trim panel itself w/ its brackets.

http://www.winzerusa.com/?__event=br...e0e9900&edit=1

bagofchips

And here's a schematic outline of the panel trim piece of which I speak (it's the lower circled item).

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/37/21397648.gif/

JAB

That helps. I have taken apart numerous interior panels in cars over the years, including my RX300. Those clips are not two-piece, as you assume. Yes, they require a good thump to lock in place.

bagofchips

Thx very much, I sit corrected.

Will apprise on adhesive success.

bagofchips

Update on adhesive fwiw. Just used epoxy (quick setting). Construction adhesive, great stuff as it is, supposedly not so great on plastic and here I was trying to bond essentially felt board (the trim panel) to the plastic tab already affixed to the bracket. Epoxy worked great.