I attempted this just before winter, but wound up slightly cracking the black panel. It was as if it wouldn't budge at all. Are these known to be difficult to remove, or did I simply forget to take something more apart?

Edited February 24, 201411 yr by thedarkie

The panels are attached from the back, inside the hatch, behind the trim panel that covers the back of the light assemblies. There are about 6-8 8mm nuts to remove from each side, then the lights fall out the back. The black trim is part of the light assembly, you can't pry it off from the outside. removal of the inside trim panel is done by pushing out the center pin of the plastic rivets with an 1/8" punch, then pry out the rivet. Have fun!