Left Rear Panel Replacement/ I am a chicken

[redbluff]

I need to replace the left rear panel on my 09. I have read through all the instruction from Evolution Site and FR101 UK site. The panel is $180 and labor from the dealer would be $258. So I save quite a bit doing it myself. It needs replaced because a large rock or something hit it and it is too large to touch up. I could get it painted cheaper than having the dealer replace it when you factor in the cost of the panel. The side skirts. boot panel, and taligate all have to be removed. What was odd is the dealer told me you have to remove both sides whichs makes no sense. He said the other side will come off also when I remove the tailgate but the instructions from both sites dont say that. Has anyone in the dayton Ohio area replace a rear panel that could provide some help or insight as to whether this is too tough for the average person to do.

Thanks

[sato7]

they are partially right in that the rear is all clipped together so it is like a clam shell around the back AND sides. to remove it is really not difficult once you start. the only thing you might mess up is breaking a couple of plastic clips as you remove the side panels under the doors... these clips should be a couple of dollars at most and are very easy to replace. just read the evilution instructions three or four times to visualize the procedure as you do it.

[sato7]

oh remember to have a bed spread or something on the floor to put the whole panel section on as you remove it... don't what to scratch it do we!

[John_H]

$258?!? Do you have another Smart Center you could get to? I'd call them up and ask them for a price. I thought it took 90 minutes to replace the ENTIRE set of panels.

[jwight]

Feel free to bring it over or I can head to your place. I've had the side skirts off (and even have some extra clips.) Will be happy to help.

[redbluff]

Thanks. I called another smart center and they are quoting the same. The labor hours is 2.5 just to replace the real panel so they are both just quoting the cost per hour per the esitmated time from the Smart system.

[sato7]

Jwight, your the kind of person that we all should try to be like.. that is a great offer to a fellow smart owner. kudos to you!

[Kermit]

Originally Posted by jwight

Feel free to bring it over or I can head to your place. I've had the side skirts off (and even have some extra clips.) Will be happy to help.

I'd take him up on his offer if I were you.

Local Club Support.

I did a left rear fender panel replacement for one of our local club members and had her help me do it. Total swap out time........40 minutes! That included stopping to take pics of the process for her too! Oh, and the lady that helped do the replacement....over 80 years old!! The panels are that easy to swap (OK, I just had her removing some of the screws after I broke them loose)

[redbluff]

Originally Posted by jwight

Feel free to bring it over or I can head to your place. I've had the side skirts off (and even have some extra clips.) Will be happy to help.

If you look at the three steps:


1) Side skirt
2) Boot removal
3) talegate removal

You can then remove the panel. It looks pretty involved but when the tech told me you haev to remove both sides it gets even more of a proble because the gas tank tube,etc. I dont understand why the other side would have to come off. Makes no sense.

[rfernatt]

I'm a klutz and a chicken, but still managed to change all the panels with the wife's help and the Evilution instructions. There are a couple minor head scratchers (gas filler neck/cup) and the removal of the tailgate that has to set inside the car just so (but you don't have to remove the tailgate panel). All three pieces of the rear (sides, center) are connected together so it isn't really possible to remove just one.

With jwight's excellent offer, I don't think you'll have too much trouble.

Panel Swap Video