I just got a rear hatch for my car that has the rear defroster. I can't remove the rear panel from it though. There are like six nuts that hold the rear hatch panel on, but when I try to un-screw the bolts the studs just spin. I have tried penetrating oil, but that didn't work. There seems to be a thread locker of some sort that they put on from the factory to make my troubles worse. How can I get the hatch panel off?

 

Anybody?

 

Those studs shouldn't spin. I can't recall exactly how the studs are attached to the panel, but you may have to grip the stud with channel locks to start getting the nut free.

But... if those studs are already broken, you may just want to shop for a hatch that has the metal panel and find a good body shop to spray it the right color.

 

If you do get the bolts out, the panel is still glued to the glass and is very hard to seperate.