Rear Panel Removal

From Nissan 350Z & 370Z Wiki

Introduction

BY: rouxeny (edit and revised by toykilla)(edit and added to by eTraxx)

This tutorial will take you through the rear speaker panel removal process. A lot of the interior must be stripped in order to gain access to the rear speakers. This is not that difficult as long as you follow these steps carefully. If you are not careful, you can break or crack any of the interior panels (refer to fig 1.1 for nomenclature for parts. This is from the shop manual).

1.1

Procedure

We'll start with removing the door sill trim panels (Kicking plate inner - fig 2.1). This is easy, just lift and they will pop off. I know this may be an awkward place to start, but you will notice that all the panels in the Z are overlapping eachother. Sometimes to remove 1 panel, you must remove 3 to 5 others surrounding it. you will also need to pull off some of the flexible door weather strip (Body side welt - fig 2.2) around the rear of the door. This again just lifts up and pulls away. You only need to remove as much as is covering the rear quarter panel.

2.1

2.2

The next step is a little harder. You have to remove the rear quarter panels (Rear side finisher - fig 3.1). Basically, start at the most anterior or forward portion, just below the door. Pull out on it then keep working back. Put a hand on the inside and push out (actually, push in towards the middle of the car). There are several pop-type fasteners on the rear of the panel holding it into place. You must remove this panel completely. Here are some pictures (fig 3.2) of the panel after removal. It's sitting in my trunk. The part closest to you is the back part. In the second picture (fig 3.3) of the rear panel, there are a few push pin attachments. You can see I lost one of the blue ones. I'll have to find a replacement. You can get replacements fasteners either at the dealership or at some autoparts stores.

3.1

3.2

3.3

Now that you've pulled both of the rear quarter panels, you've exposed a lot of wiring on the left side of the car. I think that the actual wires to the rear speakers run here, but don't quote me on this one. You must now remove the center console. There are three screws which can be removed. This will help and is necessary if you want to remove the glove compartment panel. The first screw is under the coin box. Just lift the box up and unscrew what's underneath. There are two more screws on the middle transmission tunnel. They're pretty easy to find (behind the seats). Once these three screws are out, the armrest panel can be loosened up a lot. If you want to pull the glove compartment panel, it needs to be a little loose.

The glove compartment panel can now be loosened. Again, it's just held in place by clips. Start on one of the lower corners and start pulling (careful to support the panel to prevent cracking). The power outlet can be disconnected if you want. I didn't have to for what I was going to do. I don't have a very good picture, but here's one of the upper clips. Finally, the tough part. The double hump rear panel is a pain in the ass. I'll show you a pic of the inside so you know what you're dealing with. You'll notice there are a few clips on the back and a bunch on the top.

The rear attachments were very difficult for me to get. I don't have any secrets as to how to mobilize this section other than to pull hard. I noticed there was a bulge on this area from where my installer had pulled hard also. Anybody have any good hints? Start on one side and pull up. The top clips pop quite loudly. This piece was overall a big pain. Here's a shot of the back with the panel off. Here's the area behind the speakers.

Removing Rear Speaker Grilles The stock covers for the rear speakers (fig 6.1) from the front. Looking at them from the rear ((fig 6.2). The grilles are held on by two clips and two plastic rivets (fig 6.3). Slice the top of the rivet off and the covers pop off. Here's what you get after removing (fig 6.4). Finally, what it (Floor finisher upper) looks like from the front with the grilles removed (fig 6.5).

6.1	6.2	6.3	6.4
6.5

Putting the parts back is a little more difficult than taking things apart. Get the double hump part back in the car, hook up the small attachments on the back, and then get everything lined up left to right. I had problems with the top plugs, until I realized that a closed fist swung downward at the appropriate areas was very effective. Push the glove compartment part back. Just push all over until there are no more clicks. The rear quarters are fairly straightforward. Start from the back and after things are lined up, just start hammering. Slip the flexible trim ring back and then the trim strips.

Congrats, you're done!

Finished