I am getting ready to remove the facial and install Mike's fan. I am worried about ruining the plastic/nylon keepers as I take the thing apart. Is there a special TOOL, METHOD to take things apart without destroying these little buggers?? Later we will replace the third light with a pulsating light from Web Indutries and I understand there are nine of those plastic keepers that have to be undone.
Nah. Just use a small screwdriver to pry up the center piece a bit,then use a pair of pliers to pull the center all the way up,then you can pull the whole thing out. You don't have to put a lot of pressure on it.
Yes... getting the center up first is the key... it's what expands the inset so it holds. Once the center is up, the plug will come out easy... if you force it without lifting the center first, you're going to mess up the plug.
If you're talking about Mike's auxiliary fan, I've installed several of them, and I've never had to remove the front fascia. If you follow Mike's directions, step by step, you can do it without removing the fascia.
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And the "keepers" in the tailgate are torx bolts, so they come out and go back in easily. They are Loctited from the factory, so you might need a breaker bar or long handled ratchet to loosen them.
My SSR: 06 'REDRUMP' - Yeah it's my personal work in progress in a never ending battle to keep it clean.
Are you talking about the black plastic push rivets? I have the tool for that it's called the "Clip-Zip-Tool" the one I have is too big for those little things.
But it's easier using locking pliers then pulling straight up. If you break one your local dealer should have cheaper thicker stronger rivets on hand. The guy I deal with in the parts department gave me a whole hand full of them for free.
If you're talking about Mike's auxiliary fan, I've installed several of them, and I've never had to remove the front fascia. If you follow Mike's directions, step by step, you can do it without removing the fascia.
I am also installing Mike's tranny cooler and it requires the facial be removed. I appreciate any suggestions.
I use a nylon pry tool that has a 'V' groove in the center that catches 2 sides of the center pin.
I remember someone else talking about that tool. They were trying to locate one and I cannot remember where they found it. It could be a paint department part.
My SSR: '06 PB #21661 Born 8/29/05, GHL "Old School" True Duals, ADDCO bars, Eibach rear, Joe's Tune
It's an interior fastener removal tool.
I've purchased the tool at Auto Zone and have seen it at Checker (Kragen) stores as well. If you are buying one, it looks like a phillips screwdriver with a 60 degree bend at the end. There is a flat area at the end, kinda like a foot, that has a slot up the center to go under the head of the rivets. Nice little pry-tool for taking those terrible "Christmas tree" door panel fasteners out too.
If you are careful, a pair of diagonal cutters can be used to get under the center pin on the rivet to lift it. You can then use the diagonal cutters to repeat the lifting on the outer part of the rivet. You just need to be patient and not cut off the heads.
The fascia rivets are pretty "loosey-goosey" and only require a little finesse, since they are holding two plastic parts together.
Regards,
Mike
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I remember someone else talking about that tool. They were trying to locate one and I cannot remember where they found it. It could be a paint department part.
I got a set through eastwood.com (search for nylon pry tool)
I remember someone else talking about that tool. They were trying to locate one and I cannot remember where they found it. It could be a paint department part.
My SSR: '03 NASCAR Pace SSR #303; '06 Silver over Black 6 speed #23157.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike in AZ
It's an interior fastener removal tool.
Here's a picture from the web. Saw one of these at my local Autozone a few weeks ago while doing some Saturday morning browsing--a pretty common tool as they're primarily used to remove door panels. Best of luck with the project.
heh, heh, probably. Except I got hooked on cars in high school. I worked at a Texaco Station in Corry, Pennsylvannia. The best time of my life. The troopers use to gas up and libe their cars there. They are a real hoot.
Here's a picture from the web. Saw one of these at my local Autozone a few weeks ago while doing some Saturday morning browsing--a pretty common tool as they're primarily used to remove door panels. Best of luck with the project.
My SSR: '03 NASCAR Pace SSR #303; '06 Silver over Black 6 speed #23157.
Yes, that's it. As others have previosly mentioned in this thread, you can also use side (diagonal) cutters to first pull out the center of the fastener, then ease out the entire fastener with the side cutters as well.
Just my .02,--I've had my plastic fender wells out a few times on my '03. The second time around I started simply replacing the fasteners as they're very cheap (even at GM dealer prices) and I'm of the opinion that they're really not designed to be installed, pulled off, and reinstalled. The design is for ease of assembly at the plant, and after having the centers pull out of a few of them (rendering them less useful/effective) I felt it best to get the original holding power of new fasteners.
heh, heh, probably. Except I got hooked on cars in high school. I worked at a Texaco Station in Corry, Pennsylvannia. The best time of my life. The troopers use to gas up and libe their cars there. They are a real hoot.
Are you telling me that you took the trooper's Cars for a spin.
Removal Plastic Keepers/Bolts/Plugs
