clip removal tips
 

Has anyone any tips on removal of those black plastic clips/rivets/plugs/ whatever as found inside wheel arches and under the bumper.


Grit accumulates in and around the claws making them hard to remove and it is all too easy to bust them.

Use a flat head screwdriver and pop them opened and then pull it out with your hands.

These are so annoying to do. I took them off and used tie wraps. Faster removed and installed.

I swear I saw someone using some sort of tool designed to remove these clips with ease.

I use these for plastic clips. This avoids breaking the plastic clips after they've been on the car for a while or it's cold and brittle. Using a screwdriver works, but I've found these work better for the clips where you have to pop the center out first as they apply even pressure.

http://www.sears.com/kd-tools-3-pc-b...a=00934924000P

When installing my rear spats, they were such a hassle, couldn't take them off without actually using force and breaking them, but the spats came with replacement clips so yeah. Used a flathead screwdriver and used a lot of force and it would pop out after a bit.

Like this?
http://www.harborfreight.com/push-pin-pliers-67400.html

I just picked one up, haven't tried it.

^they work great.

Harbor Freight sells a pop clip plier makes removal of those clips easy.

http://www.harborfreight.com/push-pin-pliers-67400.html

Go to a subaru dealership and buy youself a handful, they cost pennies.
Grab a flat screwdriver and start popping, worry free

where did you get the tie wrap ? mind post a photo ? thanks,

I removed the clip with force and the bottom white part is cracked.

notout86
 

Tie wraps ...... brilliant, at least in some applications. Thanks. Why didn't I think of them myself.
They are also known as "cable ties". Good as emergency handcuffs.

I don't have tie wraps ... but I used paper clips, it worked but it cracked the lock of the clip...

Give them a wash first, remove your wheel for easier articulation and for the push clips, use a flat head screw driver into the slot between the lock clip and the base clip and just twist the screwdriver 90 degrees.
I guess maybe some WD40 would work too.