What's this in the AU Falcon boot?

[Eleanor]

Had to change the stop/tail bulbs in the AU for the first time since I've owned it and came across this (circled in blue).



Is this what gives off the 'whoosh' type of noise when the rear doors are closed?

Anyway it looks like the one of the previous owners has tried to move/remove it when changing bulbs on a previous occasion (which is not even necessary to do) and it is now not secured to the floor properly; ie it does not seem to be sealed to the floor where it should be. I tried to remove it to have a look at the underside of it but what appear to be philips-head screws (circled in orange) just spin and don't undo and if they are clips I couldn't pop them out...

Is it important to have it sealed? I'm guessing yes as it appears that some dust does get in through here. So any tips on how to get it out or refit it?

[GK]

Originally Posted by Eleanor

Had to change the stop/tail bulbs in the AU for the first time since I've owned it and came across this (circled in blue).



Is this what gives off the 'whoosh' type of noise when the rear doors are closed?

Anyway it looks like the one of the previous owners has tried to move/remove it when changing bulbs on a previous occasion (which is not even necessary to do) and it is now not secured to the floor properly; ie it does not seem to be sealed to the floor where it should be. I tried to remove it to have a look at the underside of it but what appear to be philips-head screws (circled in orange) just spin and don't undo and if they are clips I couldn't pop them out...

Is it important to have it sealed? I'm guessing yes as it appears that some dust does get in through here. So any tips on how to get it out or refit it?

It's a vent. I think it's purpose is to ensure there's no undue pressure in the car when doors are closed. Could be wrong on that one though!

If it's not moving, then it looks to me to be in about the right spot. I wouldn't worry about it.

GK

[KR1STO]

It's to make the doors close easier by venting the pressure caused by closing the doors..

edit: as GK said, if it's not moving then don't worry about it..!

cheers
Kris

[Eleanor]

It is in the right spot as the screw/clips in orange are still in place but is isn't sitting square to the floor. I can pretty well run my fingers around it under the other three sides.

[Mr Hardware]

As GK and KR1STO said
my parents camry doesn't have one, so you often need a bit of force to close the doors

[au11futura]

its normal mate.

[Eleanor]

Okay we've established what it is and what it does but can someone who knows tell me how to remove the clips or screws or whatever holds it in place as I would like to refit it properly.

If they are screws then they are not screwing out at all and if they are clips they are the toughest I've come across.

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by Eleanor

Okay we've established what it is and what it does but can someone who knows tell me how to remove the clips or screws or whatever holds it in place as I would like to refit it properly.

If they are screws then they are not screwing out at all and if they are clips they are the toughest I've come across.

Try a thin flat bladed screwdriver under the screws (or bracket) and put pressure upwards, either by twisting or lifting the screwdriver slightly.
This should help the Phillips head screw grip on whatever it's screwed into.

They could be self tappers with the thread stripped at the top, the Flat screwdriver trick might lift them enough to get a grip in the metal.

[Racecraft]

iirc they are held in by scrivets... as Gas said, a thin blade under the 'screw' will help with levering the screw out... if it was me though, just pry them up enough under the ''washer and pull the buggers out with needle nose pliers... they are $2 for a 6 pack @ supercrap...

[EV1LXR8]

agreed just bust em out there crappy and plastic