Avant tailgate trim panel fix?

[Greengrocer]

Hi Guys.
Does anyone know if there’s an easy way to repair or replace the clips that hold the rear trim panel on the tailgate of the Avant? This is the trim panel that’s below the tailgate glass that houses the warning triangle. I’ve had this piece of trim off a couple of times (to fix a leak in the rear washer / wiper) & each time more of the clips have broken off. The only thing holding it on now is the hidden screw in the warning triangle compartment & its flapping about like a goodun with an annoying vibration / buzzing sound.

I’m hoping there is some sort of a fix rather than having to replace the whole piece of trim at an extortionate cost.
If all else fails I may have to resort to some sort of screwed fixing instead of clips. A bit agricultural but infinately cheaper.



Thanks in advance for any ideas or suggestions.

[Inskip75]

The clips are pretty cheap to buy and can easily be replaced in the panel IIRC - there should also be a second screw fixing in the internal handle - the one used to close the tailgate, as well as within the warning triangle compartment.

[NickPicks]

I think the clips are metal spring clips, and they slide into slots in the plastic. If you're lost the clips, then they're pretty cheap from Audi. If the slots in the plastic have broken, you could probably glue the clips in the right place (I'd go for the hot glue gun option if that's the case.)

[Greengrocer]

Hi NickPicks.
The metal clips aren't the problem. It's the plastic chanel on the panel itself - they've all broken so there's nothing to fit the metal clips into. Seems like alot of the plastic fittings on my car have degraded & become brittle over time. Everthing I touch seems to be breaking e.g. battery cover lugs - one has snapped off, pollen filter clip / fixing - snapped off.
I've tried bodging up a retainer for the tailgate panel metal clip which didn't really work & did not have the sideways adjustment of the original chanel / slot.
I gues it will have to be a complete new rear panel with clips or, I figure out a way of screwing the thing on instead of using the clips. After all, no one will see the screws in the boot so its just a case if fitted the right type of screw and retainer / rawlplug.

Thanks for the response.