90 Wing removal

Apr 12, 2005 8 Replies
P

I'm slowly but surely getting the first wing off my '90 to get the top of the bulkhead welded. I've got all the bolts and screws off or loosened but need to disconnect the electrics to the lights.



I've started take the bendy plastic wheelarch extension (apparently the're called spats!) off so that I can remove the wiring. This will also give me better access to the three bolts that attach the wing to the door pillar for putting them back on (are they a complete sod to get to or what?).



Anyway, what's the best way to get the friggin plastic studs off to remove the spats? I've tried a screwdriver and a posh trim removal tool from MachineMart but am breaking the studs or bending the posh tool.



Do I get an even posher and stronger tool or just break the tops off and buy some new ones???



Opinions please...


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A

On or around Tue, 12 Apr 2005 21:30:02 +0100, "Plus.net Newsgroups" enlightened us thusly:

I use a small nail with the end filed flat and a small hammer to tap the middle bit out of the fastenings. summat about 2.5" is about the right diameter.

once the middle bit is out, they pull out. make sure you don't lose the middle bits, though, as you'll want them to put back later.

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R

Dont you mean 2.5mm? not 2.5" Richard

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G

In news:0b67e.38517$ snipped-for-privacy@fe3.news.blueyonder.co.uk, Richard blithered:

BIG spats?

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A

On or around Wed, 13 Apr 2005 10:06:52 GMT, "Richard" enlightened us thusly:

actually, I meant a 2.5" long nail, which is typically about the right diameter. although 2.5mm is in fact a useful diameter for the job.

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R

"........ summat about 2.5" is about the right diameter........"

Reads as diameter to me, not length Richard

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A

On or around Wed, 13 Apr 2005 20:07:43 GMT, "Richard" enlightened us thusly:

ah well, since we were talking about nails there's an implicit "long" there. I'll try to be more obscure in future.

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P

Thank you for the advice Austin.

I knew what you were talking about anyway and after some rubbing of my chin and a chat with neighbour I discovered that you need to knock the middle bit out rather than in as I had assumed. It would have been more useful if you'd spotted that rather than this diameter/length nonsense Richard old boy!

Some of the fastenings will be impossible to get to to perform this manoever so I'm just going to drill those ones out!...

Cheers, dacawa

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A

On or around Sat, 16 Apr 2005 23:01:06 +0100, "Plus.net Newsgroups" enlightened us thusly:

depending on the type, the middle bit can be knocked through and retrieved later, though. there are some similar ones on the disco which instead of the little plastic pin have one with a head on - they have to be pulled out with pliers.

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