Removing the factory sideskirts from a PGT or PSE is a rather difficult task that far too often ends in swearing at a pile of cracked plastic but it doesn't have to end like that. With a little time, a good knowledge of the location of the clips, understanding why type of clips are holding the piece, and the right tools this task can be a breeze. I successfully removed four sideskirts (two damaged ones from V3rtigo's car and two from a parts car) in about a half an hour without breaking a single clip. Here is how you can too...
Step one: Gather the proper tools
1 - Bondo Spreader to protect paint when prying
1 - 8mm nut driver or socket
2 - Two flat blade screw drivers of various length
1 - Phillips head screwdriver
1 - Forked interior panel prying tool (optional but can help)
1 - Flat blade scraper or putty knife (optional but can help)
1 - Flashlight
1 - Needle nose pliers
For the fender cap:
For the sideskirt:
Step two: Make sure you have ample time
If you are in a hurry, stop! This isn't the time for this project.
Step three: Understanding the task at hand
There are four different types of clips standing in your way. The first is a larger dark gray clip (clip A). This clip is found in three places at the top of the fender cap, the top rear corner of the sideskirt near the quarter, and the the top front corner of the sideskirt near the door. I found that these clips generally do not hold into the stock holes very well. They tend to jump through the hole if gentle pried on. The second clip (clip B) is pretty self explanatory but can be a bastard. It is found in four locations, two on the front of the fender cap and two on the rear of the sideskirt. If the plastic threads are striped your best bet is to reach behind the backside of the clip and apply pressure while gently turning. If its really striped on the front just pry it out with a screw driver. The third clip (clip C) isn't a clip at all. It's a combination hex shaped phillip's head screw. Six of these run the length of the rocket and hold the skirt in place. Ignore the fact that is can be unscrewed and go right for your nut driver or socket because they are usually too rusty to unscrew. The last clip (clip D) is found in two locations, in the middle of the top of the skirt near the quarter panel and hidden underneath the sideskirt even with the rear opening of the door. This clip has two tabs that are generally pretty easy to depress one at a time in order to release it from the factory hole.
Clip Types:
Clip B's on rear of sideskirt and front of fender cap:
Fender cap clip type and locations:
Sideskirt clip type and locations:
Step four: Removing the fender cap
The fender cap has four fasteners total, one clip A, two of clip B, and one clip D. After removing the factory splash shields (not explained, pretty self explanatory) you will already have removed both clip B's. Use the needle nose pliers to carefully grip the backside of each of the two remaining clips and the should jump free from the holes. Just remember... BE Gentle. Do not pry the fender cap immediately after the clips jump free because it is held into the sideskirt. Gently pull it away from the fender so the clips clear and slide it towards the front of the car and you'll have it.
Fender cap (busted before I touched it):
Step five: Removing the side skirt
The first step to removing the side skirt is to take the two plastic screws out of the lip on the rear of the sideskirt. This should be the easiest part of the job. Next take the 8mm nut driver or socket and remove the six clip C's that run along the rocker. Once all six are removed, hopefully they weren't too rusty. gently wiggle on each mount and free it from the plastic retainer for the screws. This will help to allow it to slide towards the front of the car later. Now it is time to gather up the prying tools to remove the three upper clips. They consist of two clip A's and one clip D. I found it was best to start near the door and work towards the back with these three. Take the bondo spreader and slide it in between the skirt and the body. Once the clips are visible use of the two flat blade screw drivers (or interior panel tool) and gently pry out on the skirt. Be careful to avoid denting the quarter or scratching your paint! After a bit of wiggling it around the clip A should pop out. After it is out slide the bondo spreader down towards the center of the top. The next clip is of type D and it is best to take the blade of the screw driver and pop each tab one at a time. Repeat the previous step for the type A clip to remove the last clip on top. Once all three are out of the holes slide each one out of the mount on the backside of the skirt. This will also help in sliding it forward.
Clip C location:
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y90...t/DSC06346.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y90...t/DSC06348.jpg
Initial prying with bondo spreader:
Popping the tabs with the screw driver after getting it pried out:
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y90...t/DSC06354.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y90...t/DSC06357.jpg
Remove all the clips:
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y90...t/DSC06361.jpg
Step one: Gather the proper tools
1 - Bondo Spreader to protect paint when prying
1 - 8mm nut driver or socket
2 - Two flat blade screw drivers of various length
1 - Phillips head screwdriver
1 - Forked interior panel prying tool (optional but can help)
1 - Flat blade scraper or putty knife (optional but can help)
1 - Flashlight
1 - Needle nose pliers
For the fender cap:
For the sideskirt:
Step two: Make sure you have ample time
If you are in a hurry, stop! This isn't the time for this project.
Step three: Understanding the task at hand
There are four different types of clips standing in your way. The first is a larger dark gray clip (clip A). This clip is found in three places at the top of the fender cap, the top rear corner of the sideskirt near the quarter, and the the top front corner of the sideskirt near the door. I found that these clips generally do not hold into the stock holes very well. They tend to jump through the hole if gentle pried on. The second clip (clip B) is pretty self explanatory but can be a bastard. It is found in four locations, two on the front of the fender cap and two on the rear of the sideskirt. If the plastic threads are striped your best bet is to reach behind the backside of the clip and apply pressure while gently turning. If its really striped on the front just pry it out with a screw driver. The third clip (clip C) isn't a clip at all. It's a combination hex shaped phillip's head screw. Six of these run the length of the rocket and hold the skirt in place. Ignore the fact that is can be unscrewed and go right for your nut driver or socket because they are usually too rusty to unscrew. The last clip (clip D) is found in two locations, in the middle of the top of the skirt near the quarter panel and hidden underneath the sideskirt even with the rear opening of the door. This clip has two tabs that are generally pretty easy to depress one at a time in order to release it from the factory hole.
Clip Types:
Clip B's on rear of sideskirt and front of fender cap:
Fender cap clip type and locations:
Sideskirt clip type and locations:
Step four: Removing the fender cap
The fender cap has four fasteners total, one clip A, two of clip B, and one clip D. After removing the factory splash shields (not explained, pretty self explanatory) you will already have removed both clip B's. Use the needle nose pliers to carefully grip the backside of each of the two remaining clips and the should jump free from the holes. Just remember... BE Gentle. Do not pry the fender cap immediately after the clips jump free because it is held into the sideskirt. Gently pull it away from the fender so the clips clear and slide it towards the front of the car and you'll have it.
Fender cap (busted before I touched it):
Step five: Removing the side skirt
The first step to removing the side skirt is to take the two plastic screws out of the lip on the rear of the sideskirt. This should be the easiest part of the job. Next take the 8mm nut driver or socket and remove the six clip C's that run along the rocker. Once all six are removed, hopefully they weren't too rusty. gently wiggle on each mount and free it from the plastic retainer for the screws. This will help to allow it to slide towards the front of the car later. Now it is time to gather up the prying tools to remove the three upper clips. They consist of two clip A's and one clip D. I found it was best to start near the door and work towards the back with these three. Take the bondo spreader and slide it in between the skirt and the body. Once the clips are visible use of the two flat blade screw drivers (or interior panel tool) and gently pry out on the skirt. Be careful to avoid denting the quarter or scratching your paint! After a bit of wiggling it around the clip A should pop out. After it is out slide the bondo spreader down towards the center of the top. The next clip is of type D and it is best to take the blade of the screw driver and pop each tab one at a time. Repeat the previous step for the type A clip to remove the last clip on top. Once all three are out of the holes slide each one out of the mount on the backside of the skirt. This will also help in sliding it forward.
Clip C location:
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y90...t/DSC06346.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y90...t/DSC06348.jpg
Initial prying with bondo spreader:
Popping the tabs with the screw driver after getting it pried out:
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y90...t/DSC06354.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y90...t/DSC06357.jpg
Remove all the clips:
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y90...t/DSC06361.jpg
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