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People often ask how this is done, so having already done one, and had another to do, I thought Id do a how to 
It took me just under an hour start to finish.
1]Remove inside handle (2 screws)
2]Take off inside tailgate trim (Pull firmly but carefully)
3]Find and remove 2 screw near lock mechanism (just below it) on the inside which secure the numberplate surround. This should now pull off from the outside.
4]Remove 4 nuts on each light. Turn bulb holders to remove them.
5]Unplug black connection to the lock
6]Now you can remove the lights by pulling on them from the outside, and pushing from inside. They can be very hard to get started until you break the seal!
7]Undo 2 nuts holding in the lock barrel and swap onto the new panel.
8]Remove handle mechanism held in with 2 torx bolts.
9]Unclip connecting rods and remove mechanism.
10]Now cut off the handle following the line between the red arrows, the file the edges smooth.
11]Swap or replace black sealant on the new panel, making sure there are no gaps.
12]Fit new panel and replace the 8 nuts that hold it on.
13]Replace mechanism and bolt on.
14]Reconnect all rods, wiring to lock barrel, refit bulbs.
DO NOT SHUT THE TAILGATE YET!!!!
If you close it by mistake, you may have to climb in the back of the car and pop the catches open manually by pulling the rods.
15]Now click the 2 catches shut on the tailgate and try the handle, it probably wont operate the catches.
You have to adjust the rods to take up the slack in the rods.
Remove the rod at the catch end (turn plastic clip and pull rod out) and then turn it clockwise to make it shorter. Try 3 or 4 turns then reattach, push the catch closed and see if it opens. You can do one side at a time.
Eventually you will have the handle operating both catches together.
Now you can shut the tailgate and see if it opens correctly.
You may find you have to pull the handle a bit quicker or sharper than before, as it now has a lot less play!
If it all works ok, close the tailgate and operate the central locking just to check the boot locks/unlocks as normal.
If not, the rods have not been replaced correctly. You need to adjust/check the long horizontal one between the lock and middle of the mechanism (it slides on the mechanism end)
16]Refit inside tailgate trim and handle.
17]Swap numberplate onto new panel, and stand back to enjoy your handywork!
Photos:
1]Before, but already has the numberplate surround removed.
2]Where to cut the handle
3]Handle has been removed, but not filed smooth yet
4]After!
It took me just under an hour start to finish.
1]Remove inside handle (2 screws)
2]Take off inside tailgate trim (Pull firmly but carefully)
3]Find and remove 2 screw near lock mechanism (just below it) on the inside which secure the numberplate surround. This should now pull off from the outside.
4]Remove 4 nuts on each light. Turn bulb holders to remove them.
5]Unplug black connection to the lock
6]Now you can remove the lights by pulling on them from the outside, and pushing from inside. They can be very hard to get started until you break the seal!
7]Undo 2 nuts holding in the lock barrel and swap onto the new panel.
8]Remove handle mechanism held in with 2 torx bolts.
9]Unclip connecting rods and remove mechanism.
10]Now cut off the handle following the line between the red arrows, the file the edges smooth.
11]Swap or replace black sealant on the new panel, making sure there are no gaps.
12]Fit new panel and replace the 8 nuts that hold it on.
13]Replace mechanism and bolt on.
14]Reconnect all rods, wiring to lock barrel, refit bulbs.
DO NOT SHUT THE TAILGATE YET!!!!
If you close it by mistake, you may have to climb in the back of the car and pop the catches open manually by pulling the rods.
15]Now click the 2 catches shut on the tailgate and try the handle, it probably wont operate the catches.
You have to adjust the rods to take up the slack in the rods.
Remove the rod at the catch end (turn plastic clip and pull rod out) and then turn it clockwise to make it shorter. Try 3 or 4 turns then reattach, push the catch closed and see if it opens. You can do one side at a time.
Eventually you will have the handle operating both catches together.
Now you can shut the tailgate and see if it opens correctly.
You may find you have to pull the handle a bit quicker or sharper than before, as it now has a lot less play!
If it all works ok, close the tailgate and operate the central locking just to check the boot locks/unlocks as normal.
If not, the rods have not been replaced correctly. You need to adjust/check the long horizontal one between the lock and middle of the mechanism (it slides on the mechanism end)
16]Refit inside tailgate trim and handle.
17]Swap numberplate onto new panel, and stand back to enjoy your handywork!
Photos:
1]Before, but already has the numberplate surround removed.
2]Where to cut the handle
3]Handle has been removed, but not filed smooth yet
4]After!
not much even on ebay de
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