Type 85 cq, removing nearside front trim?

droopsnoot · 04-03-20, 07:33 PM

I'm trying to remove the front carpet section from my '86 coupe quattro. In front of the passenger door aperture, there's a moulded plastic trim piece. I've undone and removed the two screws holding the bonnet release, and I've removed the door seal, and the trim is fairly loose, but it's held on in a single spot towards the lower front corner.

Has anyone got any idea how to undo it? I can't find a screw head (sometimes they're below the carpet pile), I've had a go at putting a screwdriver behind it to lever it out, and I've tried turning it a bit in case it's a bayonet-style clip. I don't want to break it, but I need to remove the carpet to weld the front of the inner sills up. I've got the Bentley manual but there's no mention of carpets in it.

Any ideas, anyone?

tractor Dave · 04-03-20, 08:33 PM

I cant remember the front but there are metal fold down tabs in the rear holding the carpet down. They are triangular shape and quite sharp and nasty. I will have a look in the morning for you if no one else chirps up.

Colin Aitchison · 04-03-20, 10:32 PM

From memory their is a star (philips) head screw hidden in the carpet, prod around you will find it.

tractor Dave · 05-03-20, 08:47 AM

No tabs. As Colin says, just a screw.

BackintheFold · 05-03-20, 09:36 AM

As above, there is a hidden screw behind the carpet pile.

I also have a vague recollection that there is either a metal spring clip (often lost on removal/refitting), and/or that you may have to slide the plastic out/off??
Sorry I can't be sure of the latter two.

lefthooker · 05-03-20, 10:54 AM

The bit of carpet that's stuck to the plastic trim needs to be carefully unstuck at the bottom corner to access the screw.

droopsnoot · 05-03-20, 12:08 PM

Ah, thanks for that. I will have a go later on with it. It felt as if it was a really stubborn clip, so a screw makes a lot more sense. I've already got a repair job on it as the narrow bit at the back end had split, and has now come away completely.

I found the fold-down metal tabs for the rear carpet, and have to keep an eye on them so I don't kneel on them while welding in the back end of the car.

droopsnoot · 05-03-20, 06:28 PM

Thanks, that did the trick. Peeled back the carpet (it was already coming unstuck along the visible edge) and there was a screw. Now I have my carpet out, for the first time ever. Found 25p.

droopsnoot · 06-03-20, 06:41 PM

For future reference, the offending screw:

04-03-20, 08:33 PM	#2
tractor Dave Senior Member Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Wales Posts: 1,174	I cant remember the front but there are metal fold down tabs in the rear holding the carpet down. They are triangular shape and quite sharp and nasty. I will have a look in the morning for you if no one else chirps up.

04-03-20, 10:32 PM	#3
Colin Aitchison Senior Member Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Back home in Tillicoultry Posts: 1,315	From memory their is a star (philips) head screw hidden in the carpet, prod around you will find it.

05-03-20, 08:47 AM	#4
tractor Dave Senior Member Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Wales Posts: 1,174	No tabs. As Colin says, just a screw.

05-03-20, 09:36 AM	#5
BackintheFold Senior Member Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Near an MB ur Quattro Posts: 1,189	As above, there is a hidden screw behind the carpet pile. I also have a vague recollection that there is either a metal spring clip (often lost on removal/refitting), and/or that you may have to slide the plastic out/off?? Sorry I can't be sure of the latter two.

05-03-20, 10:54 AM	#6
lefthooker Senior Member Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 2,655	The bit of carpet that's stuck to the plastic trim needs to be carefully unstuck at the bottom corner to access the screw.

05-03-20, 12:08 PM	#7
droopsnoot Grown up member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: South Cheshire Posts: 212	Ah, thanks for that. I will have a go later on with it. It felt as if it was a really stubborn clip, so a screw makes a lot more sense. I've already got a repair job on it as the narrow bit at the back end had split, and has now come away completely. I found the fold-down metal tabs for the rear carpet, and have to keep an eye on them so I don't kneel on them while welding in the back end of the car.

05-03-20, 06:28 PM	#8
droopsnoot Grown up member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: South Cheshire Posts: 212	Thanks, that did the trick. Peeled back the carpet (it was already coming unstuck along the visible edge) and there was a screw. Now I have my carpet out, for the first time ever. Found 25p.

06-03-20, 06:41 PM	#9
droopsnoot Grown up member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: South Cheshire Posts: 212	For future reference, the offending screw: