I have the kit to repair the tailgate rattle, do the metal pieces fit over the existing hole and are bent to conform the plastic and then screwed? or the metal goes inside the broken plastic bracket? Any pics available of the actual installation?

Also, I am rady to replace the timing belt. Any tips? special tools? does anybody have the diagram of the timing marks?

I got the belt from the deale and it comes with a white plastic clip, what is the purpose of the clip?

Thanks for the help.

Did the tailgate on both my 98 t'5's, its pretty simple. Place the repair plate over the existing hole in the plastic. Bend each of the tabs down and using a cordless screwdriver with clutch set to lowest position (so you won't strip the threads out of the plastic), install one screw into each flap of the repair plate. Go here for photos and tsb on how to do it. Shouldn't take you more than 30 minutes, however, I broke the bezel around the hatch lever the first time I did it (costs 8 bucks to replace).

Good luck.

Here is the link to the tsb: http://community.webshots.com/scripts/editPhotos.fcgi?action=showMyPhoto&albumID=10481075&photoID=10481465&security=zKIIZmzKNH

Hree is the corrected link. Sorry...

Hey, its taken me longer to scan this image, upload it to the bulletin board, leave these three messages, etc., than it takes to fix the tailgate panel. This is the corrected link:

http://community.webshots.com/user/johnkalajian

Victor,

As to the tailgate questions - no help here!!!

Timing belt questions. Get a copy of Chilton's or Haynes as a reference manual. Also, check out Volvospeed.com - Bay 13. They have posted a new section on Timing Belt replacement complete with pics and instructions. See the link below. You'll need about 3-4 hours, a half way decent set of tools, and patience.

Don't loose the white plastic thing.

Best of Luck

Andrew T. Watson

Thanks a million, WatsonMD, Leo and the guy at bay 13, the repair was a success, it took me about 2 1/2 hours to do the timing belt. I changed a couple of precedures from the guy at bay 13.

I found it easier to remove the puller and skip the rempval of the bottom cover, also I installed the plastic spacer on the tensioner before installing it.

But your help and tips are invaluable. Again Thank you all.