95 Avalon - How to remove 3rd brake light cover

[swiftjustice]

I have a 95 XLS with the 3rd brake light that incorporates the grille for the subwoofer. The speaker cloth has started to pull away from the grille and I'd like to remove the cover to re-glue it, but don't see anyway to remove the cover from inside the trunk - is it just a pull off afair from inside the car? Don't see any screw holes or obvious attachment points there either.

[cexsiman]

i just did the same thing in my 98, and it feels like you are gonna break the thing when you are taking it off. the grille with the fabric on it unscrews form the larger portion from underneath. but the unit is in there by two long tabs at the base of the rear window and pull up 'tabs' (those posts with rubber on the end like home speaker grilles) and they are hard to get up, and lastly the wire to the third brake light.

what glue do you plan on using? i have taken mine off and since not replaced it because i havent found a glue that i believe will work.

thanks

BTW, LOVE the mini

[swiftjustice]

Thanks for the info on how to remove the cover. I was almost going to pry on the grille thinking that it just popped on - good thing I waited.

Once I get it off I will probably just mist the grille a little with 3M Super 77 aerosol adhesive to fix the cloth back on. You can take it off and reposition it again if necessary without too much fuss. The Hi-strength 90 stuff is for permanent fixing and will probably tear it if you use it and try to remove it again. I'll probably do this job right after I do the Stereo install. I'll take pictures and document for the next unlucky soul who needs to fix the cloth.

Thanks for the comment on the Mini - its what I drive when I don't need A/C or leather , here's a bigger pic:

[swiftjustice]

I happened to be thumbing through my owner's manual and wouldn't you know it, it also explained how to do it. I thought I'd document my removal/repair efforts.

1. Pry up on the back of housing. For doing this kind of task I prefer a wide metal paint scraper - thin enough to get between the seams and wide enough not to crack or bulge the piece that you are prying on. You can clearly see the fabric here coming away from the speaker grille.



2. Detach the third brake light by rotating the plug in the brake light housing and pullit down. Note: if you plan on putting an LED in for the third brake light (like I was) think again - the light housing is designed such that the bulb points straight up from the socket, and since in most LED's the light points straight away from the socket end, it wouldn't be much good for this application. I haven't used any of the LED's that have lights all the way around them - that may work.



3. The grille is held onto the housing with four screws.



4. Tack the cloth back into place. I used just a light misting of 3M Super 77 spray adhesive - spray on, wait a few sconds for it to get tacky and then press and hold into place for a few seconds.



5. The finished product back together - ready to go in the car.

[cexsiman]

very nice