I have had this problem also.  I removed the nuts on the hinge at the top
of the table.  This allowed me to move the table around enough to get it
loose.  I have been told that VW has changed the design of this latch if
you buy a new one from the dealer. Can anyone confirm this? I have not
heard from anyone if this new latch is any better.   My old latch was not
fixable.  I am still looking for a better way to hold the table down.  I
have thought that maybe some sort of wedge or even a pivoting piece of
plastic to hold it in while driving.

                                                         Tom Rehkugler

                    Arroyo Grande, CA 93420
                                                                             ken wilfy wrote
I have had both of these problems on my '91 Carat.  My table was stuck
down
when I bought the van as well.  Fix is not easy.  Remove entire rear
interior
(including rear seat/bed) and flooring to remove driver's side wall to
which
the table is attached.
Then you can get to the back of the fastener and unlock it.  I had heard
from
other list members that a new mechanism doesn't guarantee that it will
not
happen again so I just used magnets to keep the table down and pull up on
it
to unlock it.  Some other members use industrial strength velcro which is
probably a better idea than the magnets (they get loose after a while).

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