How to remove rear side trim -

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Dec 26, 2025 | 10:53 AM

Strlsn

Thread Starter

Driver

Joined: Oct 2021

Posts: 63

Likes: 8

From: Or

How to remove rear side trim -

Working my way through the rear of my '06 400h trying to find the major water leak - (alrdy sealed the roof rack bolts & seams on top of the hatch) - Now narrowing down to the door hatch connectors, or the tail lights, or maybe even rear-side triangle windows?
? = How do I remove these 2 rear side panels?
The smaller one on the bottom & larger one on top. Also prob will need to drop the rear headliner, too if you have suggestions. Not looking fwd to it 😩
T. I. A.

Dec 26, 2025 | 11:24 AM

LatinLS430

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Joined: Aug 2016

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From: AZ

Here's some info from Chilton's

Disengage the 3 claws and 2 clips, and remove the center pillar garnish lower.

31. REMOVE CENTER PILLAR RH GARNISH LOWER

32. REMOVE CENTER PILLAR LH GARNISH

Remove the 2 screws.
Disengage the clip and remove the center pillar garnish by pulling it down.

33. REMOVE CENTER PILLAR RH GARNISH

34. REMOVE DECK SIDE TRIM LH COVER

Using a moulding remover, disengage 3 claws (A).
Disengage 2 claws (B) and remove the deck side trim cover by pulling it to inside the vehicle.

35. REMOVE DECK SIDE TRIM RH COVER

36. SEPARATE REAR NO.1 SEAT OUTER LH BELT ASSEMBLY

Remove the bolt and separate the rear No.1 seat outer belt assembly.

37. SEPARATE REAR NO.1 SEAT OUTER RH BELT ASSEMBLY

38. REMOVE REAR SEAT SIDE LH COVER

Using a clip remover, remove the 3 clips.
Disengage the 4 clips and remove the rear seat side cover.

39. REMOVE REAR SEAT SIDE RH COVER

40. REMOVE REAR FLOOR FINISH SIDE LH PLATE

Using a clip remover, remove the clip.
Disengage the 2 clips and remove the rear floor finish side plate.

41. REMOVE REAR FLOOR FINISH SIDE RH PLATE

42. REMOVE ROPE HOOK

Remove the 2 bolts and 2 rope hooks.

NOTE

HINT:

Use the same procedure to remove the other side.

43. REMOVE DECK TRIM SIDE LH PANEL ASSEMBLY

Using a clip remover, remove the 4 clips.
Disengage the 2 clips and remove the deck trim side panel assembly.

44. REMOVE DECK TRIM SIDE RH PANEL ASSEMBLY

45. REMOVE ROOM LIGHT ASSEMBLY NO.2

Using a screwdriver, disengage the claw and remove the room light assembly No.2.

NOTE

HINT:

Tape the screwdriver tip before use.
Disconnect the connector.

46. REMOVE ROOF SIDE LH GARNISH ASSEMBLY INNER

Using a screwdriver, remove the tonneau cover holder cap.

NOTE

HINT:

Tape the screwdriver tip before use.
Remove the 3 bolts.
Using a clip remover, remove the 3 clips.
Disengage the 7 clips and remove the roof side garnish assembly inner.
Disengage the 4 claws and separate the seat belt bezel.

47. REMOVE ROOF SIDE RH GARNISH ASSEMBLY INNER

48. REMOVE TELEVISION BASE (W/ TELEVISION DISPLAY)2006 MY RX400H [03/2005 - ]; AUDIO / VISUAL: TELEVISION DISPLAY: REMOVAL+

49. REMOVE TELEVISION DISPLAY ASSEMBLY (W/ TELEVISION DISPLAY)2006 MY RX400H [03/2005 - ]; AUDIO / VISUAL: TELEVISION DISPLAY: REMOVAL+

50. REMOVE ASSIST GRIP SUB-ASSEMBLY

Using a screwdriver, disengage the 3 claws and remove the 2 assist grip covers.

NOTE

HINT:

Tape the screwdriver tip before use.
Remove the 2 screws and assist grip sub-assembly.

NOTE

HINT:

Use the same procedure for the other 3 assist grips.

51. REMOVE RAIN SENSOR (W/ RAIN SENSOR)2006 MY RX400H [03/2005 - ]; WIPER AND WASHER: RAIN SENSOR: REMOVAL+

52. REMOVE ROOM LIGHT ASSEMBLY NO.1

Using a screwdriver, disengage the 4 claws and remove the lens cover.

NOTE

HINT:

Tape the screwdriver tip before use.
Using a screwdriver, disengage the 2 springs, as shown in the illustration.

NOTE

HINT:

Tape the screwdriver tip before use.
Disengage the 2 claws and remove the room light assembly No.1.
Disconnect the connector.

53. REMOVE MAP LIGHT ASSEMBLY

w/o Sliding roof:

Using a screwdriver, disengage the 6 claws and remove the lens cover.

NOTE

HINT:

Tape the screwdriver tip before use.
w/ Sliding roof:

Using a screwdriver, disengage the 8 claws and remove the lens cover.

NOTE

HINT:

Tape the screwdriver tip before use.
Using a screwdriver, disengage the claws and open the 2 caps, as shown in the illustration.

NOTE

HINT:

Tape the screwdriver tip before use.
Remove the 4 screws and map light.
Disconnect the connector.

54. REMOVE LH VISOR ASSEMBLY

Using a moulding remover, disengage the 4 claws and remove the visor bracket cover.
Remove the 2 screws and visor assembly.
Disconnect the connector.

55. REMOVE RH VISOR ASSEMBLY

56. REMOVE VISOR HOLDER

Remove the visor holder by turning it counterclockwise.

NOTE

HINT:

Use the same procedure to remove the other side.

57. REMOVE ROOF HEADLINING ASSEMBLY

Disconnect the roof wire connector and disengage the clamps from the front pillar LH.
Disconnect the washer hose. Remove the bolt and disconnect the radio antenna cord connector and disengage the clamps from the front pillar RH.
Disconnect the washer hose. Disconnect the radio antenna cord connector and disengage the clamps from the rear quarter pillar RH.
Disconnect the sliding roof drive gear connector. (w/ sliding roof)
Remove the sunroof opening trim moulding. (w/ sliding roof)
Disengage the 2 fasteners and 3 clips. (w/o sliding roof)
Disengage the 3 clips. (w/ sliding roof)
Remove the roof headlining from the vehicle through the back door side.

58. REMOVE ROOF WIRE AND RADIO ANTENNA CORD

Remove the roof wire, radio antenna cord and washer hose from the roof headlining assembly.

Dec 31, 2025 | 12:11 PM

Strlsn

Thread Starter

Driver

Joined: Oct 2021

Posts: 63

Likes: 8

From: Or

Thank you for the attachment - I already have everything removed except for THIS panel - I can't seem to find the clip attaching it. It needs to slide Down otherwise it will bend the headliner above the rear passenger door.
Any hints?
Need to get it removed TODAY bc it's going to start raining tomorrow and need to seal whatever leak there is.
T. I. A. 🙂

Dec 31, 2025 | 12:18 PM

Strlsn

Thread Starter

Driver

Joined: Oct 2021

Posts: 63

Likes: 8

From: Or

Ps. It looks like the bar is what's still attached even tho everything says it should come off With the panel.
I've removed all screws, clips, and plugs.

Jan 2, 2026 | 07:23 AM

LatinLS430

Instructor

iTrader: (1)

Joined: Aug 2016

Posts: 989

Likes: 158

From: AZ

Sorry for the late reply.
Looking at this pic:

Looks like it should just pop put if you removed all the bolts.

Jan 2, 2026 | 03:36 PM

Strlsn

Thread Starter

Driver

Joined: Oct 2021

Posts: 63

Likes: 8

From: Or

Thanks - It must be the clip next to the triangle window that I can't pop. Not much working space there and I'm afraid I'll break something 😣

The possible leak areas are WEIRD.
Definitely not the tail light gaskets, but water coming in below them on either side.
Also water dripping above the seams in a place that looks like the wheel wells.
Side Triangle windows? Bumper?

I've sealed the roof rack bolts (roof rack removed) ; A few weld points at the seems in the channels of the roof rack ; Around the hinges for the lift gate.

Quote:

Originally Posted by LatinLS430

Sorry for the late reply.
Looking at this pic:

Looks like it should just pop put if you removed all the bolts.

Jan 2, 2026 | 03:48 PM

LatinLS430

Instructor

iTrader: (1)

Joined: Aug 2016

Posts: 989

Likes: 158

From: AZ

Quote:

Originally Posted by Strlsn

Have you tried using a plastic prying tool to pop it out? Looks like you have some room under the panel to peak in and see the clips holding it in. Yeah I would be afraid of breaking something, but those pointy clips are replaceable.