So I've looked through the service manual instructions, and searched like hell on the forums, but can't get a clear answer.

I need to replace the rear amp. The service manual says you have to do a LOT of various steps, including removing the entire center console, the rear seats, the rear decks, most of the trim behind the rear seats. A huge job. (If they just designed the bolts differently, it would have been a simple 4 bolts in the trunk and that's it!) The bolt heads look like they're inside the rear deck, hence the problem.

I know the service book tends to add unnecessary steps. Can anyone who's done it before tell me what ACTUALLY needs to be done/removed in order to get the rear amp out? Thanks guys...

 

You have to get under the center rear deck. *Possibly* you could reach the bolt heads with a long open-end wrench slid under the center deck from the side. The back seats have to come out. The black panels behind the seats can stay if you have someone to turn the nuts from the trunk side while you hold the bolt heads. The rear deck side panels will come out if the C pillar trim is loosened, but the lower side trim can stay.

Still, you're gonna spend a lot of time messing around taking short cuts, plus risk breaking stuff. Personally, I'd do what the FSM says and take the lumps up front.

 

OK....thanks for the heads up. I have no problem doing what needs to be done, no shortcuts, I just wasnt sure about everything in there. For example, it says you need to take the door sills out! Makes no sense to me... (Another example is the manual says you need to take the entire upper intake manifold out in order to remove the alternator.....you don't. )

I'll have to take a closer look...siiiigh. but thanks!

 

They say the door sills have to come off to get the rear side trim off. You can get the rear deck off without doing this, but it's really not hard to remove that stuff with decent panel tools.