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Inner front fender clip removal help

Discussion in '2nd Gen Tundras (2007-2013)' started by bvia, Aug 27, 2018.

  1. Aug 27, 2018 at 6:19 AM
    #1
    bvia

    bvia [OP] New Member

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    So apparently something decided the driver's side back portion of the front fender of my '13 Tundra was the perfect place to build a nest! I was able to fold up the rubber flap, accessible from the rear of the fender when the door is open, and scrape out all the leaves and debris I could reach. I then turned the tires and began removing the 10mm bolts for the mud flap, with no problems so far. And then I hit my first inner fender well plastic clip and for the life of me, could not figure out how to remove them! It isn't like a push-in style, nothing to push in. It isn't like a captured button head, no captured button to pull out. They appears to have a square hole in the center of the plastic clip. I searched the forums/interwebs, but couldn't find out how to remove them. Anyone have any insight on how to remove them?
    thanks in advance,
    B
     
  2. Aug 28, 2018 at 7:32 AM
    #2
    bvia

    bvia [OP] New Member

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    Was hoping someone with experience would be able to shed some light, but I'm guessing I'm just over-thinking it..;-)>
    B
     
  3. Aug 28, 2018 at 7:46 AM
    #3
    Skippy

    Skippy Standing for the Flag

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    This almost sounds like a job for @Roman, or the Ask a Mechanic Thread. I know what you're talking about, but can't help.
     
  4. Aug 28, 2018 at 7:55 AM
    #4
    PMG

    PMG New Member

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    Take a picture of it.
     
  5. Aug 28, 2018 at 8:24 AM
    #5
    bvia

    bvia [OP] New Member

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  6. Aug 28, 2018 at 8:52 AM
    #6
    ZPMAN

    ZPMAN 2nd place is the 1st looser

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    If it's the ones I'm thinking about then they have two tabs on two of the four corners that need to be pushed in to pop them out. Was a screw inserted into it? If so that will make it almost impossible to remove. Best bet if you can't access them from back is to snip them off and replace.
    Look at this on eBay http://www.ebay.com/itm/252865451111
    I have replaced just about all my OEM clips with the old style clips found in this thread.
    https://www.tundras.com/threads/diy-wheel-well-liners.21418/
     
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    #6
  7. Aug 28, 2018 at 8:53 AM
    #7
    Roman

    Roman Toyota Parts Master Vendor

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    Usually take something like this and pry them out:

    [​IMG]
     
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    #7
    NewImprovedRon likes this.
  8. Aug 28, 2018 at 9:06 AM
    #8
    831Tun

    831Tun heartless Bastrd

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    I've had my fender liners out several times. You can use the pry tool like Roman suggested but I haven't been able to get them out cleanly. So, I just cut 'em and install new ones.
     
    Black Wolf likes this.
  9. Aug 28, 2018 at 9:12 AM
    #9
    bvia

    bvia [OP] New Member

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    'Twas afraid of that! Thanks Roman. I have those pry tools and will try them first and then order new ones to replace the mangled/cut ones per 831Tun/ZPMAN's posts...;-)>

    Gracias guys!
    B
     
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  10. Aug 29, 2018 at 5:04 AM
    #10
    Wisconsin Tundra

    Wisconsin Tundra New Member

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    Try to push the tabs on opposite corners of push pin while prying up on it. They are kind of a bitch. Usually end up breaking. Easier to just pry out and get new ones.
     
  11. Aug 29, 2018 at 5:37 AM
    #11
    bvia

    bvia [OP] New Member

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    Thanks all! Consensus seems to be it's a "normal replacement item"..;-)>
    B
     
  12. Aug 29, 2018 at 6:01 AM
    #12
    Black Wolf

    Black Wolf Bigfoot Hunter, Sasquatch too, but not Yeti

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    Yep pry them out anyway you can. If they break.....so what. Have new ones to replace. Cost is minimal....They get somewhat brittle over time too. There was no way they were going to come off intact on my 07 so I went to the dealer first and bought all that I needed and a few more for spares.
     
    NewImprovedRon, 831Tun and bvia[OP] like this.
  13. May 18, 2020 at 6:10 AM
    #13
    HeyTomTundra

    HeyTomTundra New Member

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    I'm in a similar boat as I need to remove my passenger side fender liner to get to the antenna base since my antenna broke off with the male threaded section still in the antenna base and couldn't get it out with a bolt extractor. So since it sounds like I will break a few getting the liner out, I want to have some new ones to replace them with. Anyone know what size or p/n works that I can order before I start snapping the old ones to get out? I count 11 large clips and 2 small clips where the rear and front liners attach to one another. Thanks!
     
    Last edited: May 18, 2020
  14. May 18, 2020 at 5:45 PM
    #14
    Dr_Al

    Dr_Al New Member

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    I've always removed them but I've dealt with them in the past. I would not pry on them simply because if you are not very careful you'll damage the metal. Even chipping the paint will be a problem (rust) and it's easy to miss a scratch or chip on the backside. I just get my hand behind shield and bend it out of the way. It's thin and flexes back. Usually a pair of pliers is needed so paint damage is still a concern. Cutting and replacing is the best option. One thing you can do is put the clip into just the metal fender and then use the screw to hold the liner in place. That way if you ever have to remove it again you will not have to deal with the clips.
     
  15. May 19, 2020 at 3:31 AM
    #15
    HeyTomTundra

    HeyTomTundra New Member

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    Thanks. Interesting, but my 2012 does not have screws in any of the clips except for the ones that hold the mud flap on. I checked the driver's side also. Not sure if this was something they did on some built in 2012, or what, but when ordering the clips, I was surprised to see that the screws were also called out for each clip.
     
  16. May 19, 2020 at 4:53 AM
    #16
    dugfur

    dugfur New Member

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    Just had to remove rear liner to have a scratch fixed. easiest way is to use a sharp scrapper and a hammer and cut the head off them and just replace with new ones. You can buy bags of them on Amazon or ebay for not a lot of money.
     
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  17. May 19, 2020 at 9:47 AM
    #17
    Dr_Al

    Dr_Al New Member

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    Back in the day Toyota put screws into them, that's why there's a hole in the center of the clip. I think they realized that it was cheaper and quicker to just use the clip with no screws other than to hold the mud flaps onto the fender. You can put the clip in first and then use a screw into the clip to hold the liner in place if you think there could be a chance you'll need to remove it again in the future or just replace the clips the next time.
     
  18. May 19, 2020 at 4:06 PM
    #18
    5ive7even

    5ive7even New Member

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    I literally did the exact same thing this weekend .. was detailing my interior and saw some leaves sticking out from the rubber flap between the door near the floor mats, opened it up (which was the first time I realized this void was even in there since I got the truck 6 months ago) and found that the entire compartment was full of mud and a few acorns. did the same thing.. cleaned out what I could from the side I could access and wasn't satisfied. Took off the mudflats and started to cycle though logical ways to remove the plastic clips that hold the inner fender on. I wasn't able to, so I pinched them with needle nose pliers and slipped them through the square hole in the inner fender plastic. I noticed when I got inside the void from that side that they are an over sized square shaped plug that push through a square shape hole in the body. I wasn't even able to remove one from the inside trying to force it out.. They're probably cheap, I mangled them a bit so I'll just replace them with new ones soon.

    If you haven't looked in this void space in a while, I highly suggest it. I cleaned mine out, shop vac'd the remaining mud and moisture and fluid filmed the space. Ignoring this void space seems like a great way to rot your rockers from the inside out if you live in a northern climate like I do
     
  19. May 19, 2020 at 5:00 PM
    #19
    SalsaTheTundra

    SalsaTheTundra New Member

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    I had to replace fender after a wreck bc i bought mine wrecked. but yes easiest is to replace.
     
  20. Jun 29, 2020 at 5:54 PM
    #20
    Midsouth Jacket

    Midsouth Jacket New Member

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    Hi everyone. Related question...anyone know where to get the square clips that secure the front fender liner to the front bumper? The liner I’m referring to is the liner that protects the backside of the fog lights that are recessed in the front bumper. The square clips are usually connected to or part of the fender liner and they snap onto two metal slots extending from the bumper. Then I think a screw is normally set in the hole to hold the liner in place.
    The replacement liners I ordered did not come with the square clips, and I have broken the original clips. Is there anyone who sells these clips or does anyone recommend an alternative to holding the liner in place. What makes it hard to install without the square clips is that there is nothing behind the liner so any pressure (such as trying to insert a clip) causes it to just fall back inside the bumper well. Thanks in advance.

    61258A07-64FB-4404-A7D0-CBE4A9EAB5EA.jpg


    3092EC4B-8904-4ACD-9262-B05948EF4337.jpg
    A2B8E35D-BFE2-4400-BD25-7C018EF28D1F.jpg
     
    Last edited: Jun 29, 2020
  21. Mar 30, 2021 at 8:23 PM
    #21
    splitfuse

    splitfuse Dr. Tundra

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    Thought I’d share some learning’s from today’s adventure with the same clips (I think?) on a 3rd gen:

    See post #14 in this thread:
    https://www.tundras.com/threads/hol...t-wheel-liners-are-a-pita.22406/#post-2174749
     
    Last edited: Mar 31, 2021
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    #21
  22. Mar 31, 2021 at 10:00 AM
    #22
    BlueCrushSC16

    BlueCrushSC16 New Member

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    Yup these are it. I just removed and reinstalled some to install my fender flares 2 weeks ago. The only way to get them out is to push in the 2 tabs on the back while pushing them out. Otherwise just drill them out and replace with new. I'd say more than half the ones I removed were brittle anyway. So, they were replaced.
     
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  23. Mar 31, 2021 at 10:04 AM
    #23
    BlueCrushSC16

    BlueCrushSC16 New Member

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    https://www.amazon.com/MOTOALL-Spoi...ta+square+plastic+clips&qid=1617210140&sr=8-3
     
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  24. Mar 31, 2023 at 12:28 PM
    #24
    dandrilla

    dandrilla New Member

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    i now have exactly this problem, those little square clips snapped off. did you find a fix or substitute?
     

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