Purdy99

Hi all, I'm wondering if any of you can help me. The cover that sits below the window on my rear hatch (on the inside) got damaged (dogs), and I'm wondering where I would be able to find another one? I went to the dealership, and they said a new hatch cover would cost me $200, which seems pretty steep.

Any ideas?

Lil4X

I'd check out a junkyard, or better yet, work out a design to cover the damaged area and cut a lightweight rubber or vinyl mat you can secure to the hatch with contact cement and a few short screws - just in case the dogs manage to do it again. Whatever your fix, it needs to be lightweight to keep from overbalancing the gas struts that hold the hatch open (they're even more expensive!) Good Luck!

mhc0725

Your best bet is a junk yard because I don't think any manufacturer is going to make such a specific replacement part, other than the dealer. That's why the dealer is making a killing selling the part.

What is the damage? Did the whole cover come off, there's a hole, there are scratches? Like previous post, replacing it might just end up getting damaged again.

Purdy99

yeah, whole cover came off. its held on by a bunch of metal brackets that have a plastic "nipple" that inserts into a holder in the hatch itself. unfortunately, the nipples basicaly snapped off, and the brackets got torn away. dealership there's no way to just replace the brackets and nipples....

mhc0725

The metal brackets I would imagine you could get at maybe $2 a pop, but if the nipple is broken then the whole piece is done right? I haven't removed the piece you're talking about, but to get to the center stop light, you have to remove the top panel and it's held on by metal brackets also attached to the piece itself.

Worse case scenario, and it will probably be ugly, I don't know how the inside looks if there are open areas where you could perhaps loop some wires through the door frame. Then drill some small holes onto the cover and feed the wires through and tighten/tie the wires tight. Then perhaps cover the exposed ties with those iron-on patches. Get something that matches the interior color.

Anyway, good luck with getting it 'fixed'

Purdy99

actually, that's a pretty good idea. i don't really care what it looks like anymore, 'cause after 6 years of two insane 120lb dogs scratching at it, my RX looks like hell anyways...

thanks for the suggestions guys )

Lil4X

At 120 lbs., those two quit being "dogs" a long time ago.

Down here in Texas, we'd just throw a saddle on 'em!