Torx tool for Tiguan door trim?

[davc88]

hi guys i recently bought a set of chrome buttons i want to retrofit on my tiguan but having issues finding
the right tool to take out the door trims. been to bunnings and masters also repco but cant seem to find the
right trox T30 screw driver because the bolts on the trim is recessed inside a grove. i just cant find a short
enough L shaped driver to reach it. already did a few searches on the forum but the tools they use are too
long to fit inside the grove. any ideas where i might pick 1 up?

thanks in advance

[davc88]

found a set at supercheap auto that fits in the grove.

[Transporter]

You can get Kincrome brand at Bunnings that's a very good value for money.

Sent from my GT-N8000 using Tapatalk 2

[tigger73]

You'll have to post some pics of your buttons once they're installed.

[davc88]

bought the supercheap set for $20. kinna expensive with me just needing the T30 oh well. will try the install this weekend hopefully i dont break anything

[davc88]

i've installed the buttons this weekend. took awhile and some trial and error but managed to do it with out breaking anything. there is a rough guide out there to pull the trim off but i still find some things missing or could be done easier. so i'll write up a guide on how to pull out and install chrome buttons for 2012 tiguan below.

NOTE: if you have a chinese friend try to get him/her to order the buttons and the accessories you want from a site called Taobao its 1/4 the price of ebay and aliexpress. some sellers just cover the chinese price in RMB straight into USD thats x7 the price. eg. you can buy a set of GTI stainless steel OEM pedals for $30AUD, 08-11 LED bi-xenon headlights for $100AUD, chrome window/side trims for $5-$30AUD just to name a few.


The tools: a L shaped Torx T30 driver (make sure it has the torx screw head on both ends), a flat head screw driver and pliers.




1) unscrew the Torx screws at the bottom of the door trim, cant miss it (its recessed) two for the front doors.

2) use a flat head screw driver and insert it into a small grove on the front bottom side of your handle bar. pry the
plastic strip open slightly (dont worry it wont damage the plastic) pull out the strip by hand top to bottom slowly.
3) you will see 2 Torx screws inside the handle unscrew that with the long end of the screw driver (might need the pliers to help twist the screw lose).


4)here comes the hard part. lift up the door trim panel to lose the top window grove of the trim. pulling the trim panel outwards on one of the corners its the easiest (need some brute force here to rip out the clip. see pic for clip locations).



5) there might be some clips that's still embedded into the door. you'll need to pry it out with the pliers or screw driver, then re-attach it onto the door trim clip grove. Its a pain in the ass but trust me there is no way to re-clip the trim panel back onto the door if the clip remains.



6)once you have the trim out disconnect the power window harness (you can leave the door handle cable on if you want).

7)use the screw driver to push back the clips that are holding the button assembly.

once you have the assembly out gently slot the screw driver into the side plastic of the button unit (make sure its in the middle so it un-clips both sides). while pushing the button out insert the screw driver into the other side of the plastic, now the button should pop out easily.



9) put in the chrome button and slot back the assembly into the trim panel.



10) clip back the power window harness. slot in the top window grove first that would hold the trim in place then push in the door clip. you should hear each popping sound when the clips are slotted into the door holes. screw the bolts in, push the handle strip back in and your done.

NOTE Driver side door: just follow the guide from the start but there are more door clips and extra harnesses you need to pull out. once you have the assembly out there is 6 clips holding the button unit. you'll need to use the screw driver to loosen each clip from top to bottom in parallel sequences while pushing the button out (be gentle or you might break or crack the plastic assembly).







NOTE rear passenger doors:
there is only 1 screw holding the door trim at the bottom but still 2 in the hand rail. you dont need to take apart the whole door panel. just lift up and pull out the forward corner of the trim. 3 clips should come out.



you should be able to access the button assembly with out taking it out. gently slot in your screw driver on each side to pull out and re-slot in the chrome buttons. this is much quicker, took 5mins.



All up it took me around hour and half to do it all. the most painful bit is taking out the door panel and prying out the panel clips from the door.

[brad]

torx or XZN/Triple-square?

[tigger73]

Nice write-up

Did you getthe chrome headlight switch too?

I've had a look at the ebay/aliexpress items, if you can get them for 1/4 price would certainly be intersted in a group buy... if anyone can organise.

[Tiggy1]

Hi davc88.
I'm feeling your pain (with getting door trim off and on). I had to re-attach mine after I found that the mob that tinted the front windows hadn't put it back on again properly, and had manged to bugger a couple of the retaining pin/clips in the process Seems you can't trust anyone nowadays! I agree with Tigger73 - nice writeup and directions too

[davc88]

torx or XZN/Triple-square?

its torx. i've added photos and dimensions of the torx "key" that i bought.

Nice write-up

Did you getthe chrome headlight switch too?

I've had a look at the ebay/aliexpress items, if you can get them for 1/4 price would certainly be intersted in a group buy... if anyone can organise.

my car already got he chrome/silver headlight switch? well it looks the same as other ones for sale so i didnt get it. the thing with Taobao is their targeted audience is the chinese market and a lot of the accessories and electronics are the same fit with the chinese made tiguans and the german made ones. like the buttons i got are made in malaysia which is the same production stamp on the back of factory buttons i pulled out. the aliexpress guys are the same sellers who are selling on taobao but some times with x5-x6 the currency mark up.

here is RNS RCD reverse cam for $40AUD think it sells for $100+ on alixpress
RNS315 RNS510 RCD510

led head lights for the older model tiguan thats made to look like the 12 headlights $140AUD.
2012

[tigger73]

its torx. i've added photos and dimensions of the torx "key" that i bought.

Any reason why you needed the "L" shaped torx key? I can't see which screw you had an access issue with.

here is RNS RCD reverse cam for $40AUD think it sells for $100+ on alixpress
RNS315 RNS510 RCD510

led head lights for the older model tiguan thats made to look like the 12 headlights $140AUD.
2012

Wow that is cheap. At that price I would seriously consider upgrading my headlights.

[aussietig]

Wow that is cheap. At that price I would seriously consider upgrading my headlights.

I seriously doubt that it is that cheap. Are we sure that's not in USD?

Besides ... based on the pics, it's not for Gen 1 Tigs.

[davc88]

Any reason why you needed the "L" shaped torx key? I can't see which screw you had an access issue with.
Wow that is cheap. At that price I would seriously consider upgrading my headlights.

i bought a set of straight torx keys at burnings for $5, cant get it to initially crank open the bottom bolts because the bolt surround grove is reassessed and angled (hence my initial post). i would get the L shape keys just to be safe.

I seriously doubt that it is that cheap. Are we sure that's not in USD?

Besides ... based on the pics, it's not for Gen 1 Tigs.

upon double checking the price is actually for 1 side so its around $280-$300 for the pair. its a chinese site much like Ebay/amazon and their prices are in RMB. alixpress is their english site which is in USD that ships globally. both sites are ran by the alibaba group. Alibaba Group - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

i dont think the chinese made tigs have their tail lights and headlights updated. as you can see from the pics the head lights are rounded on the side like the Gen 1 tigs, Gen 2 are straight. i believe they just updated the bumper and the grill for their 2012 line up.

[aussietig]

Actually come to think of ... Gen 2 Tigs did come out in China first compared to RoW.

However (like you said) it's a cross between a German made Gen 1 & 2 and a longer wheel base to allow more leg room for rear passengers.


Indeed ... found the Chinglish listing on Aliexpress:

2010 2012 new Volkswagen Tiguan 3 LED headlights,headlamps,front lights,auto car products,accessory,parts,Hernia lamp,HID, xenon-in Lights & Indicators from Automobiles & Motorcycles on Aliexpress.com

Hefty premium added on top when dealing with foreigners.

So not far from the truth when told to just offer half what they want to charge you (when visiting China as a tourist).

[davc88]

Actually come to think of ... Gen 2 Tigs did come out in China first compared to RoW.

However (like you said) it's a cross between a German made Gen 1 & 2 and a longer wheel base to allow more leg room for rear passengers.


Indeed ... found the Chinglish listing on Aliexpress:

2010 2012 new Volkswagen Tiguan 3 LED headlights,headlamps,front lights,auto car products,accessory,parts,Hernia lamp,HID, xenon-in Lights & Indicators from Automobiles & Motorcycles on Aliexpress.com

Hefty premium added on top when dealing with foreigners.

So not far from the truth when told to just offer half what they want to charge you (when visiting China as a tourist).

yep. thats what i'm getting at, alixpress sellers rip you a new a$$hole because buyers are foreigners. same as ebay listings, like the nav units they are selling its pretty much half price. there is a whole new kit on taobao where you can convert the Gen 1 tiguans into LED Gen 2 tiguans. the break lights are also LED same pattern design as our Gen 2, thinking of getting that .