I am trying to replace the wing-shaped silver trim pieces that run along the radiator grill (damaged by a flying ball). They are affixed with screws whose heads are on the inside of the grill. A body shop told me that I could get to those screws by removing the plastic cover above the radiator.

I removed 4 screws and a bunch of large and small.push button clips, but there are still these tiny clips that take a triangular bit. I have such a bit and tried turning them but all 6 of them spin freely. How do I get these out? If another tool is needed I hope I can source it locally as I intend to trade this car in a couple of days!


Tiny clips that take a triangular bit but just spin freely when turned.

Wider angle of the plastic I am trying to remove.

The part I am trying to remove is highlighted in this parts diagram. The clip in my photo is not even shown in this diagram.

 

Use the correct plastic tools

When you fail then you need to use a blade cutter

See pictures:




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OK, I see that a trim removal tool kit will be helpful. However, my question still stands - how are these retaining pieces removed? Are they to be forced out? Are you saying that if I can't force them out I should just cut them off? Can I replace them with conventional push button retaining clips?

 

LOL to answer your question in a picture...

 

Believe it or not, the type of fastener I'm dealing with is not among the hundreds in your kit. Each of those is either a single piece plug, or a push expansion. I guess it doesn't really matter as long as it fits in the hole?

 

I have others i just did post all my supplies. Those kits have replacement fastener that cover almost every OEM on not only Mazda but other platforms as well. There are also several fasteners on Mazda that you need to drill out the centers to remove them And even those can be replaced with either a expanding rivet using a rivet gun or plastic fasteners.

You are slightly making a simple task over thinking it. Which is good thing but in this case, I can see from your pictures that you are going in the right direction. I know its hard to think to service something , removing it requires sometimes destroying the part that secures it. Trust me the messed with my way of servicing thing a few decades ago when the auto manufactures started to use rivets and plastic fasteners.

Tease kit are useful for future quick repairs I know we have all seen that vehicle on the road with a barely hanging on wheel well liner or plastic under carriage part and all the owner need do is replace the broken plastic fastener.

Every time I do an oil filter service on my Mazda engine or transmission when I remove the large plastic covers I always just replace the plastic fasteners. Not because they all break but more for peace of mind that a new one will hold better and more service than re-using a removed one.

Your 2019 Mazda does not have any unique fastener that my 2018 Mazda does not have, and I have most every common fastener or replacement fastener that can be used on it.

 

OK got it, so I will pick up one of these universal kits, a pry kit, and have at it. Thank you!

 

The pictures below you will see one unpainted rivet. I actually purchased a 12 pack from MAZDA thinking I may want to use them instead of anything else. Only needed to replace one because the original was loose and bugged me. LOL At some point I will however when I replace my front grill replace all them with aftermarket Plastic fasteners for easy serving as IMHO the riveted ones are not necessary.


You can clearly see the much cleaner looking replacement plastic rivets comparing the OEM ones. Also a benefit over OEM.





These are the most useful fastener that always comes in handy. Threaded rivets.

 

Update: I already broke one of the plastic tools from the kit I bought today trying to pry these rivets out. I don't see how I can use a blade tool without significantly marring where the rivets attach. Is this really down to brute force?

 

Wait the tool are used only for the plastic fasteners . You must drill the metal rivets centra out and then if you drill the correct hole size you can then use the plastic tool to left the remaining rivet out. If done correctly your figures should easily remove them . The process of plastic or metal fasteners should
not damage the parts .
They are Easily replaced those fasteners with new ones.