Secret to getting rear panel above the bumper back on?

[FINFAN3DP]

Does anyone know the secret to getting the rear panel above the bumper back on so that the trunk door opens correctly. I have put it back on and the door shuts, but when you pull the latch you have to bang on the door to get it open. Not sure what I did wrong.

 

[trikermutha]

Just make sure its seated properly on the top and sides. I found that on the top on mine was not seated properly and caused the issue you described.

 

[DGoebel]

It is a tricky process, to avoid breaking the tabs on the lower front and get the center of the rear panel clipped in properly. You may have to just remove the panel, take note of all the clips and where they clip into, and re-install the panel.

 

[FINFAN3DP]

Just cant get the door to open correctly. Everything else seems right.

 

[ThreeWheels]

Just cant get the door to open correctly. Everything else seems right.

Yes, it can be difficult.
Here's the trick that I used.
Install the rear panel and just barely tighten the hold down screws. You should be able to move the plate, but it should stay in place once it's moved. Then carefully close the trunk. This will index it to the proper position. Open the trunk and then cinch down the screws so it's tight.
This worked for for the few times I removed the plate.
Keep us posted so we know how you make out.

As always, my free advice comes with a double your money back guarantee.

 

[LongIsland]

I found that if I install the right side and hand tighten the 1st bolt, then install the left side (no bolts), then hand tighten the top bolts, the trunk closes properly. I then
install and tighten all bolts and the little screws on the inside of the rear panel. It works for me each time.

 

[cptjam]

Does anyone know the secret to getting the rear panel above the bumper back on so that the trunk door opens correctly. I have put it back on and the door shuts, but when you pull the latch you have to bang on the door to get it open. Not sure what I did wrong.

On the top of the painted panel is a small tab in the center. If you don’t get it in the slot in the black plastic, you mangle it, and the center of the panel sits proud (or higher than it should). Remove rear panel, inspect that tab. If it is ok, install with that tab in the slot. Seen a lot of mangled ones......very common. Joe

 

[Boilermaker]

On the top of the painted panel is a small tab in the center. If you don’t get it in the slot in the black plastic, you mangle it, and the center of the panel sits proud (or higher than it should). Remove rear panel, inspect that tab. If it is ok, install with that tab in the slot. Seen a lot of mangled ones......very common. Joe

:agree: This is the most likely cause. Everything else seems to be pretty straight forward, but this tab is easy to mislocate.

 

[PinkRosePetal]

On the top of the painted panel is a small tab in the center. If you don’t get it in the slot in the black plastic, you mangle it, and the center of the panel sits proud (or higher than it should). Remove rear panel, inspect that tab. If it is ok, install with that tab in the slot. Seen a lot of mangled ones......very common. Joe

What Joe said!... Without the tab clicked in, the panel just won't settle accurately.