Mg zt t tailgate trim removal

[Brummie biker]

I need to replace the rear wiper motor on my mk1 mg zt t. I have searched the how to section but cannot find how to remove the internal trim to get at the motor.
Could someone please tell me how to do it. I am fearful of just pulling it in case it breaks
Thanks in advance
Craig

[GeoffWW]

Hi Craig,

Although it is dark now, I have put together the following, from memory, to help you remove the trim. Mine is a Rover 75 Tourer but I expect your ZT T to be the same.
1. Open up the whole tailgate.
2. Open up the safety triangle storage - 2 twist buttons.
3. Inside, at the back of the plastic recess, you will see equally spaced out 4 philips screws along the centre line. Remove these.
4. Undo the emergency release pull-cord tag from the right hand side of the recess. Push the tab through the hole, so it is out of the way when you come to release the main lower trim panel.
5. You should now be able to release the 'lower' part of the trim by just gently inserting something thin, I use a steel ruler- . between the trim and the visible outer metal next to it. Start at one of the lower corners, inserting the ruler gently next to each clip, then twisting a little to release the plastic clip, working your way up, from clip to clip, to the upper tip on that side, and then across the lower middle section, holding it in position as you release the clips to the opposite side and then up to that side's upper tip. The lower panel should now be free.
If you haven't got a ruler or something similar, if you start with one of the upper ends where they overlap the upper trim panel, and ease that away with your hand, pulling it away from the metal frame working your way down each side to the section across the bottom.Then gentle prizing it should free the clips along the lower edge..
6. To release the long black cover over the wiper motor/lock unit, gently prize the buttons up using a pair of thin bladed nail scissors opened up, placing the blades on each side, under the head of the buttons. Unequal pressure may result in the pin-head being broken on one side.
7. Once the above to step 6 is complete, you should be able to see and access the nuts holding the wiper motor/lock in place, and also the power connector, from the top, with the window open, - or from the 'lower 'part, with the tailgate open.

Replacement with your new part will be just the reverse, but remembering to feed the manual lock release tab through the hole before pushing the trim back on to the metal frame.

Best of luck,

Geoff

[Brummie biker]

Thanks very much for that. I'll look at doing this today or tomorrow.
Again many thanks
Craig

[Rich in Vancouver]

And seven years later here's another Thanks! to Brummie Biker.