by "You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much" (youcantellafinn)
Published 06/27/2017 at 11:40
by "You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much" (youcantellafinn)
Published 06/27/2017 at 11:40
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STARS: 2
Any tips for getting these off without destroying what they’re holding on?
My HVAC blower quit working yesterday and it is conveniently inaccessible unless you take off a panel that is semi permanently attached with these little bastards. I’m seriously tempted to have the local shop diagnose and fix it since I’ve spent the morning getting aggravated at not being able to reach anything to begin diagnosis.
"CalzoneGolem" (calzonegolem)
06/27/2017 at 11:45, STARS: 1
There is no shame in paying someone to do something to your car that you just don’t want to do.
"Monkey B" (monkeyb)
06/27/2017 at 11:46, STARS: 2
nylon clip removal tools, most parts stores, auto body supply or harbor freight should have them.
"My X-type is too a real Jaguar" (TomSlick)
06/27/2017 at 11:48, STARS: 4
I bought one of these
Makes life much easier when working on interiors.
"Tripper" (tripe46)
06/27/2017 at 11:48, STARS: 0
"Cé hé sin" (michael-m-mouse)
06/27/2017 at 11:48, STARS: 1
No.
It’s at times like this that you learn that a car is designed to be put together easily by semi skilled workers and to stay put together.
It’s not designed to be taken apart again.
Another example is electrical connectors. They fit together easily, they fit only one way and they stay connected, especially when you need to unconnect them again.
"Boxer_4" (Boxer_4)
06/27/2017 at 11:50, STARS: 0
Interior trim removal tools and prayer...
"RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire" (ricerocketeer2)
06/27/2017 at 11:50, STARS: 0
++ on nylon clip remover tools, but don’t expect them all to come out cleanly or easily. There are eBay replacements too which is where I think your lead image came from.
"Future next gen S2000 owner" (future-next-gen-s2000-owner)
06/27/2017 at 11:50, STARS: 2
I’ve given up hope and I just buy new ones to replace the messed up old ones.
"You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much" (youcantellafinn)
06/27/2017 at 11:51, STARS: 0
Oh, I have no shame about that. I just figured if it was something I could check in 10-15 minutes that would be a lot better than probably waiting a few days to get it into the shop.
"awmaster10" (awmaster10)
06/27/2017 at 11:53, STARS: 0
Trim removers are key but I also had luck heating them up first so the flaps get pliable and they pull out with less damage. Overheating makes the head of the clip floppy though and might make it harder.
"You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much" (youcantellafinn)
06/27/2017 at 11:54, STARS: 0
I’m not trying to save them, just get them out without destroying the panel that they are holding on. Unfortunately I can’t get to the back side to push them out and there is nothing on the front side to really pry off. As an added bonus they hold everything so tight that I don’t think I can get anything between the clip and panel to cut the head off the clips without chewing up the panel.
"TheChafing" (aaverett)
06/27/2017 at 12:04, STARS: 0
Harbor freight sells a kit of four little plastic pry bar things that are meant for removing this type of fastener. They’re still not easy to remove, but put a credit card between the pry bar and panel, and you’ll eventually get them out.
The ones I have are yellow, but they’re similar to this.
https://www.harborfreight.com/automotive-motorcycle/trim-moulding/5-piece-auto-trim-and-molding-tool-set-67021.html
Fake edit: I have this one. The part on the far right is the one I’d use for those little fasteners you’re dealing with.
https://www.harborfreight.com/Nylon-Pry-Bar-Installer-Kit-4-Pc-69668.html
"Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer" (smallbear94)
06/27/2017 at 12:04, STARS: 1
Without destroying the plug? No. You’ll need new ones. Without destroying the piece it fastens to? Depends what that pieces is made from, but I can offer some suggestions:
- If you can access both sides of the panel, either pinch the barbs down with pliers or cut it off entirely.
- If the panels are a hard material, either metal or reasonably robust plastic, pry up one edge of the plug with a slot screwdriver and grab the now-exposed edge with vise grips. Proceed to defeat it with brute force.
- Same as above, for slightly weaker panels. Hold edge with vise grips, drill out center of plug. You should be able to get rid of most of it without hitting the panel. Once that’s gone so is most of the strength. Should squish back into itself when you try to pull it out.
- Really weak panels, that would get damaged if you just ripped it out. You can work around the edge with a slot screwdriver and get it out one hook at a time. This is a royal pain in the ass, but can be done.
- My personal favorite. Remove the head by any means possible, whether that be knife, drill, heat or combinations of all three. Punch the stud part of the fastener all the way through if necessary, but in most cases you should be able to pull the panel off since you aren’t fighting the barbs anymore.
"CalzoneGolem" (calzonegolem)
06/27/2017 at 12:06, STARS: 1
There is always some Jalopdick measuring around here. Just wanted to put that out there.
"Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To" (murdersofa)
06/27/2017 at 12:07, STARS: 0
Buy a replacement package because they WILL break if they’re more than 6 years old. Then get a “Trim removal tool” that basically looks like a forked pry bar, usually covered in a soft-ish plastic so it doesn’t mar your interior. Wedge that motherbastard under the clips and pry them up. I have a metal one that’s wrapped in electrical tape and it works a treat.
"Seat Safety Switch" (seat-safety-switch)
06/27/2017 at 12:12, STARS: 0
Trim clip pliers help a lot. I have a really nice (but expensive) JTC set that also came with a bunch of plastic crowbars, which are useful for the actual panels.
Otherwise you’re going to spend a lot of time on clipsandfasteners.com or equivalent.
"TahoeSTi" (tahoesti)
06/27/2017 at 12:14, STARS: 1
Here are 3 options:
Or the more pro option:
"cmill189 - sans Volvo" (cmill189)
06/27/2017 at 12:18, STARS: 0
Do you have interior clip pry tools? I have a set of metal Snap On ones that a super nice but totally unnecessary. I also have some super cheap plastic ones that I picked up on Amazon. I know Harbor Freight carries both. Between both sets I haven’t had much trouble with any clip removal or breaking.
"merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc" (merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc)
06/27/2017 at 12:18, STARS: 1
Yes the third one. Those work well assuming you can get the tool on the clip, less chance of breaking something than with the pry tools. There is a less expensive version out there as well.
"Nibbles" (nibbles)
06/27/2017 at 12:24, STARS: 0
They’re little bitches. I usually lop the top off and press the tree inward. They’re cheap so it’s easier (particularly on your sanity) to destroy the installed ones and replace
"nj959" (nj959)
06/27/2017 at 12:53, STARS: 1
I bought mine at Advance Auto. Amazon is always a good bet too, especially with Prime.
"ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com" (ita97)
06/27/2017 at 13:02, STARS: 1
There are a variety of trim removal tool you can buy. In the alternative, my favorite tool for the type of clips shown is actually a modified fork. Many years ago I took a fork from the silverwear drawer and spread the two of the tines a bit further apart. It works better than my actual trim removal tool for this style of clip.
"Twinpowermeansoneturbo" (twinpower)
06/27/2017 at 14:06, STARS: 0
Slice the top off into pieces with a razor until just the post is left. Pull apart.
"merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc" (merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc)
06/27/2017 at 14:19, STARS: 0
Yeah I’m a huge fan of the amazon prime. It’s my first stop for searches. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve ordered something that I can get at the local store, even sometimes for a lower price, but I don’t have to stop there. It’s at my door in a couple days, so nice.
"AMGtech - now with more recalls!" (amgtech)
06/27/2017 at 16:18, STARS: 0
Pry/pull on the panel rather than the clip. The panel will force the clips out, or break them (assuming it’s strong enough to do so).