Sill Protection Panel Removal

[Sparkstack]

According to ETKA, i have to destroy and replace the outer sill molding (black plastic kick panel with the inlaid aluminium panel) to enable me to remove the sill panel trim.. Anyone managed to do this without breaking anything? I have a little rust at the front section of the sill that i want to get to, but really don't want to buy new parts. I highlighted in red the main problem. The black plastic kick panel covers the mounting screws for the sill panel trim.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/12/30/syse9e7y.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/12/30/geqy2u8e.jpg

[desmo]

I replaced my sill panel trim ('01 2.8L) without much of any problem - meaning I didn't break anything. I only unclipped the outer edge to access the the fasteners that hold the sill molding, so if doing that would expose enough area for you to repair the rust issue, I would think you could do it. The one area that I found difficult and where the hot air gun might be helpful is near the front edge. The front door doesn't open wide enough to give you clear access there. The black plastic is slightly rubbery so I was able to bend it back far enough to expose the last sill panel fastener and then bend it back in place without breaking anything and I didn't use a heat gun. (I can imagine that it could get brittle with age and break so maybe I was just lucky.)

[Korben007]

Subscribed for info. About to replace my S6 sill panels with RS6 looks tricky

[Sparkstack]

Subscribed for info. About to replace my S6 sill panels with RS6 looks tricky

Well, the info is that the non-replaceable parts are REALLY brittle and thin at the leading edge where it mates to the sill panel. I managed to crack the bloody thing in a couple of places while gently lifting it up to get at the bolts, so it looks like shite now. Luckily when the doors are closed you cant see it. But i'll be adding two new ones to my list of parts i need to acquire.

[desmo]

Sorry to hear that. Guess I WAS lucky. I got no cracks when I did it.

[Sparkstack]

You probably were not doing it on a snowy 28F day in an unheated garage. I managed to treat the rust and underseal it, so that should stop it getting worse until late spring when I can attack it properly.