Help: Passenger footwell carpet removal

[Meir]

That's interesting.
I never tryed to remove the passenger kick panel ( not even when removing the dashboard).
The driver side is held by 4 screws and clips, so I assume the passenger side is more or less the same.
Look closely and see if the crept cover hides any screws.
If not, it might be just fixed by clips, and all need to be done is pull it.
I will try to have a look at it tomorrow and post the solution ( if you are not gonna figure it out by then).

[AKnowles]

Originally Posted by Meir

That's interesting.
I will try to have a look at it tomorrow and post the solution ( if you are not gonna figure it out by then).

Meir, if you can figure it out I'll owe you big time! I have the entire dash out, the seats out, the center console out. I even have the door sill removed and pulled the two screws holding the carpet retainer (long black plastic block) out. I can tug on the kick panel, but it appears to be stuck on the lower half or bottom. Feels like the bottom is glued in place. I'm not sure and don't want to rip up the carpet with no way to reattach it.

I have been able to wiggle a plastic tool in to the side (fromt he passenger door side) of the kick panel. Can move it about 1/2 an inch and see the wire bundle leading ot the passenger door. On the top, there is a metal clip holding the carpet to the plastic backing of the kick panel. That's where I tried tugging to see if I could lift it uip or pull it back to release the kick panel. No joy.

As it stands now, I'm considering purchasing a door lift so I can remove the doors. Drill them. Put gommets in the holes and run the replacement speaker cables that way. I can use the 1/2 inch of wiggle room on the side of the kick panel to route the cable to the door.

I'd know my options better if I could just get that darn carpet up without damaging it.

[Meir]

Ok that’s the way it goes.
Remove the door rubber seal.
With your hand, fill the top of the kick panel. You will notice a plastic tab that holds the carpet.
Lift the carpet off the tab, and gently pull it away.


This is the location of the tab:



As you can see, the carpet is glued to the plastic panel, so just peel it off, and remove the screw that holds the plastic panel.



Now you have access to the wires from inside the car.

[Meir]

Before you remove the doors and start drilling holes, consider this approach.
Stick your hand to the hole with the wires, and push the top of the connector out. (press the locking tab from the inside)



Now use one of these, with a T20 bit. To remove screw in bottom of connector.



My car is currently on the lift, so I have very limited access to the connector (can’t open the door all the way). so the next pictures are showing the driver side, which should be the same.



Once the screw is removed, you will be able to pull the connector out.
Disconnect the two sides of the connector by pulling tab (like the German style sliding tab)
Look at two sides of the connector.
Yellow arrow shows open space. Red arrow shows white plug that is not in use.
You can remove the white plug and channel the wires thru this space.




If you will do that, you can pass the wires to the door thru the original grommet, and you will be able to put everything back in place
Just don’t forget to leave enough spare wire inside the car, in case this connector will have to be disconnected in the future.
Good luck