How do you remove these plastic screws holding the fender liner splash guards?

[that408guy]

Not sure what they are called exactly but I tried to pull and unscrew, hold outer ring and unscrew inner, yank on it etc. Are you suppose to rip them out 1 time use? Do I need a special tool? Thanks!! Trying to get my downpipe installed.

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[RedDakooter05]

You unscrew them until they stop backing out, They will usually free-spin when they're half way out.
You then use a plastic rivet removal tool (picture below) to remove the base of the clip out.

You don't need this tool, You can use side cutters(don't cut lol) or similar tool to get behind the base of the clip.

Assuming you don't destroy em, they should come out like this

I usually clean them with soap n water before I reuse em.

 

[JesseS]

I got tired of messing with them an trashed them. Replaced with rivet nuts and thumb screws.

 

[chrisakz]

Yeah they suck

 

[that408guy]

You unscrew them until they stop backing out, They will usually free-spin when they're half way out.
You then use a plastic rivet removal tool (picture below) to remove the base of the clip out.

You don't need this tool, You can use side cutters(don't cut lol) or similar tool to get behind the base of the clip.

Assuming you don't destroy em, they should come out like this

I usually clean them with soap n water before I reuse em.

So far all of the screws have been free spinning from the start but not backing out. Maybe I need to put a little pressure on the back of the screw as untightening. THanks for the info.

 

[that408guy]

I got tired of messing with them an trashed them. Replaced with rivet nuts and thumb screws.

Im not liking them at all.

 

[TXRangerTim]

So far all of the screws have been free spinning from the start but not backing out. Maybe I need to put a little pressure on the back of the screw as untightening. THanks for the info.

Mine did that. I ended up using long zip ties.

 

[RedDakooter05]

So far all of the screws have been free spinning from the start but not backing out. Maybe I need to put a little pressure on the back of the screw as untightening. THanks for the info.

In those cases, I'll use a flat blade screw driver to get behind the clip, then use the plastic retainer tool or small side cutters to pop them out.

I have a set of retainers I got from amazon that includes the tool and some body panel tools
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07L6FJGR4/


Sounds like they're broken from the factory so good time to replace em with other styles.

 

[chrisakz]

You can’t push in on them at all or they just spin. Best way I found was to just make sure your bit is in the Philips head and gently and slowly turn until the thread begins to catch, then they should come out. Or just destroy them and replace with something better

 

[TXRangerTim]

Ford finally changed them to 10mm bolts in 2022. I have rivnuts to try to attach at next oil change.

 

[that408guy]

You can’t push in on them at all or they just spin. Best way I found was to just make sure your bit is in the Philips head and gently and slowly turn until the thread begins to catch, then they should come out. Or just destroy them and replace with something better

This was my issue! My dumbass was putting too much pressure when "loosening". Happy to say I now have my downpipe out. Ty for the tip.

 

[that408guy]

Ford finally changed them to 10mm bolts in 2022. I have rivnuts to try to attach at next oil change.

I think I am going to switch mine over to those. I lost a few soldiers this battle.

 

[TXRangerTim]

I think I am going to switch mine over to those. I lost a few soldiers this battle.

There is a thread here about it in the oil section. He used JB Weld to hold the rivnuts in.

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

Like @RedDakooter05 said - slowly and without any real pressure, back out the Phillips screw part way, then use the trim pin tool.

If they don’t back out and just spin freely, I use a small flat head screwdriver to gently pry the Phillips screw up to get it started.

I also have a crap ton of spares that can be ordered super cheap from Amazon because if either method doesn’t work, I just pop them out and don’t care if they break when I do. ?

 

[CO2Ranger]

I just hold the outside edge with my finger while slowly unscrewing the center. It's a PITA but they'll come out eventually. I loving call these fasteners "Little Bastards". Feel free to adopt the name for your own. ?

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