how to remove the rear deck panel

what you will need:

1 - socket set including wrench, a 10mm socket, and a 14mm socket.
1 - philips head screwdriver

optional:

1 - impact wrench (speed up the process)
1 - drill (speed up the process)
1 - a hammer or mallet
1 - small flathead screwdriver
2 - rags
1 - another body

in total, the removal of the rear deck panel will consist of removing:

2 - c pillar panels
2 - side panels
1 - rear deck panel
2 - seats
2 - 14mm bolts
3 - 10mm bolts
2 - small black philips head screws
2 - black plugs
1 - seat bracket

instructions:

1) to begin, locate the c pillar panels.
they are grey in colour and are on both sides of the rear window.

2) remove the two c pillar panels from their respective locations.
to do this, simply, using your fingers, pull upwards on the panel from the side that which comes in contact with the side window. it does not take a lot of force, just a quick tug and you'll realize you've gotten somewhere.

3) remove the seats
fold the seats down. when the seats are down and you are facing the rear of your car, you will see a flap held down with velcro on the passenger side of the vehicles rear seat portion. behind the flap are two small bolts. removes those bolts using a 10mm socket. now you can remove that portion of the seat by pushing it to your left and pulling it out.

now after removing that portion, you will see another bolt which holds the seat bracket and the other portion in place. remove that bolt and the seat will be removable.

at this time, you will see a black plug on the side panesl which hide behind the seats. pop those two plugs out by using a mallet to the other side of them, and/or by prying at them from the cabin side.

4) find the two black screws.
look at the side panels. behind the (the rear seat 'oh s#it!') handle on either side, you will notice little covers. pop the covers open by using your fingernail or gently prying it out with a small flathead screwdriver. after opening them, you will see the little black screws. remove them using a philips screwdriver.

5) remove the bolts on the floor mounted seatbelt anchors.
on either side of the car, follow the seatbelt down to the floor of the car. at that point you will see two bolts that hold it to the car. you will only need to loosen the front bolt on each side, but will definitely need to remove the back two bolts. using you socket wrench, get to it.

after removing the back two bolts and loosening the front two, you'll realize that the anchor can move around quite a lot. to be on the safer side, use a rag on each and wrap it around enough to cushion it from creating blows hard enough to create damage.

6) remove the side panels.
using the handles give the side panel a good tug. you'll hear popping sounds from plugs being well... unplugged. at the side window, you should now have room to put your fingers in to give the panel a slow tug to ensure the plugs are all out of their homes. now slide the panels to the front of your car and out of harms way.

7) unplug the third brake light.
look underneath the rear deck panel. there is a plug connecting to the third brake light. unplug that plug. at this time, using some sort of mallet or pliers, ease the white pegs that hold the rear deck on back thru their holes. it will make things a little easier later on.

8) pop the rear deck panel.
there are three tabs on the cabin side of the rear deck panel. those need to be unclipped and folded down before continuing.

now for the part we wish came first. pop that rear deck panel off! the white plugs may pop out, so make sure you collect them all and replace them in their respective locations on the bottom of the panel.

congratulations, you have successfully removed the rear deck panel!