Everytime I work on the max and I have to remove something (splash shields, or other such things). I always pop out those plastic screws that also have these splines that expand to keep it locked in there.

It's hard to describe them but I hope that works. The problem is once I remove them I can never get them back in and I have to replace it with a zip tie which doesn't look as good (even though no one ever sees them).

Is there a tool that does this or can you just buy new one's?

Thanks!

 

I'd say the dealer has them for pretty cheap.

 

It'd be nice if there was another option to use. They're the most annoying little things, I agree.

 

Haha, glad to know I'm not the only one with that trouble. I usually replace them with zip ties as well.

I keep meaning to go by the dealership and pickup a handful of them, but you know how that goes..

 

+1 I hate them.

 

I hate those clips too. They always end up breaking. If you use a trim removal tool they come out easier.

 

So everyone replaces them with zip ties? There must be some way to get them back in. I don't mind getting them from the dealer...but doesn't sounds like that'll the problem. I've spent time trying to get them back when I didn't break them on the way out...

Wonder how they do it at the dealer?

 

They walk back to the parts section, grab a handful of new clips, go back to the car, install new clips..

 

haha, sounds about right! My question is...when you get them from the dealer are the splines intact, meaning it's narrow and the splines don't expand until you put it through the hole

I'm kicking myself for not taking pics of the last one I removed when removing the splash shield to do belts on my 5th gen...

 

Eh, depends. The Infiniti dealer is pretty good here, but the Mazda dealer I take my other car to usually just leaves the things out . I stopped going to that dealer (for a variety of reasons).

 

Yes, new clips would not have the little "fingers" expanded, this happens only after they are used..

Btw, these clips are designed to be a "use once" type dealios...They should be replaced with new once they are removed. Personally, I've had mixed luck with mine, some went back no problem, some didn't.

 

Ah that makes great sense! Anyone have a part number lol I'm going to have fun explaining this one to the parts guy

Thanks for the help Greeny!

 

http://www.courtesyparts.com/betasit...2070_2073.html

I believe the part# is 63130G

Just click on the part# for pricing.

 

Panel Popper FTW

 

Hmmm, I've never had much trouble getting them back in...my problem was getting them out....around Memphis, they have replacements in the auto stores around here for the most part....

 

i disagree. I've had mine on and off at least 10 times and they still hold fine. To pop them back in you just have to have the "head" part popped out as far as possible, so the little tabs on the "arms" fit into the notches. Then just hold the arms together as you put it back into the hole.

the only time mine broke is when I first took them off at 50k miles or so. They were so brittle they just snapped off. Got a big bag of new ones from DaveB....and I always look for them when I'm at a junkyard and toss them in my pocket

 

What exactly are you disagreeing about? one time dealios?

The fact that your originals broke like the op's and mine, so you bought a bag of new ones?

 

I have metal ones......

 

my trunk looks lovely because im missing like 3 clips

 

+1 ive never had a problem removing mine, and my cars 10 years old and 322,000kms old. There isnt really a trick to it, get a little flat blade, and pry each corner slowly and evenly, then get apair of side cutters and just lightly clamp on it and pull the head out as far as it will come and they should pop off.

More often then not, if your not careful they will break, and i believe at my place we charge like 2$ each for the smaller ones and a little over 2$ each for the bigger ones.

In my situation, i just grab some from work, or go to the wreckors and fill your pockets lol..

 

There is tool that looks like prybar, that has a v in the middle. a door trim tool

 

I also have never had a problem with any broken clips. Small flathead and a panel popper work wonders.

 

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