these little buttons holding the panel around the small rear window are giving me trouble. some have the center misssing and they come right out, but they dont really help to hold the panel on very much. there are some with the center still in, and i cant figure out how to get these out. i tried prying one off, but it broke. can anyone help me out?

thanks

Originally posted by mattandhisz

these little buttons holding the panel around the small rear window are giving me trouble. some have the center misssing and they come right out, but they dont really help to hold the panel on very much. there are some with the center still in, and i cant figure out how to get these out. i tried prying one off, but it broke. can anyone help me out?

thanks

The center pin is required to hold them in place. To remove those that still have the center pin you'll need to push the center pin all the way through which will allow the rivet to be removed from the hole. Once you get the panel off you'll need to search for the missing pins (including those you just pushed through yourself). Once you're able to examine the complete plastic rivet you'll understand how they work.

In order to remove these Plastic Rivits, you have to push the center post inward until it falls out the back of the rivit. Later, prior to install, you retrieve the posts and start to re-install them in the rivit, then insert the rivit, and then push the post in flush with the rivit head to lock everything in place.

Unfortunately in the quarter rear window area you are likely to loose the center post when you push it through in order to remove the rivit.

Unfortunately in the quarter rear window area you are likely to loose the center post when you push it through in order to remove the rivit.

Very true, they are easy to lose. The good thing is they are available in packs of 10 from MSA and probably others.

I have been able to remove an occasional rivet but only pushing the center part way in. It's not easy- I made a thin tool to get under the head and pry up while pushing the center in slowly.

Somewhere in this site, EScanlon has a good technique for retrieving the center pins.

Get some panty-hose and cut off one leg. Tape the open end of the "leg" around the end of the hose from a Shop-Vac. When you turn the vacuum on, it will suck the panty-hose into the hose from the vacumm. Now insert the vacuum hose into those hard to reach areas in the body of the car. Periodically, check the panty-hose for those center pins and anything else that is loose in your car. The panty-hose act as a filter on the vacuum, allowing you to catch the pins.

Thanks for the info, EScanlon.

Originally posted by Jimbeaux

Very true, they are easy to lose. The good thing is they are available in packs of 10 from MSA and probably others.

Only available in black unless you're lucky. Every once in a while other colors show up on e-bay, and Chloe has taken to coloring black ones with custom colors, although I don't know how many different colors.

Why not try making your own using wood doweling, or even finding a source for plastic rod?

plastic unsulation from house wiring (romex) comes to mind...

I have used weed trimmer line before. Comes in a variety of diameters and colors. Slightly oversize stuff held the rivet in really tight.

FWIW

Chris

thanks for the info guys. thats what i figured-push the pin through- but they were difficult to make it move when i tried.

Glad you mentioned the trimmer line Chris. Just happen to need about five of those plastic pins for my rivets, and was trying to figure out what I could use as a substitute. I'll give that a shot. Thanks, Victor.

Originally posted by mattandhisz

thanks for the info guys. thats what i figured-push the pin through- but they were difficult to make it move when i tried.

I took an old small phillips screwdriver, slightly smaller in diameter than the pins, and ground the tip off. I use it specifically to push in those pins. Of course, you still have to find them once you remove the panel.