A better and stronger plastic "push rivet" oil change door clip...

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Mike500, Mar 24, 2012.

  1. Mike500

    Mike500 Senior Member

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    For all of those, who have had trouble with the plastic "push in" plastic rivet type fasteners used for the oil change door, I pleasantly discover, by accident, a much stronger fastened of the same type, when I roder the 10mm ones on eBay from Hong Kong.

    I got these, today, and I am very well pleased. They have much stronger metal inserts.

    eBay - New & used electronics, cars, apparel, collectibles, sporting goods & more at low prices

    If you look closely at the photo, you will notice the metal insert below the button and out one of the sides in the expanding legs.

    While this will be an exact fit for the large rivet, they can be used for the holes using the smaller rivet, simply by enlarging those holes with the correct sized drill bit.

    I also like the idea that, with this modification, all of the plastic push in rivets will be the same size.

    And, the price is goot at less than $7 delivered. The only downside is that it took 2 weeks to get them.
     
    #1 Mike500, Mar 24, 2012
    3 people like this.
  2. cobradb

    cobradb Member

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    this is good news, i too have had it with the o e fastners
     
    #2 cobradb, Mar 24, 2012
  3. Mike500

    Mike500 Senior Member

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    I looked at them, again.

    There are two "L" shaped metal inserts with "claw" that is pushed out the side on two opposite expansion elements of the four, when the pin is pushed it.

    I noticed how weak the large OEM clip with the gray center was, when I removed it. I was not sure that it could retain the cover door too well. So, I am glad that I found a much stronger alternative and am able to share it with other Prius owners.
     
    #3 Mike500, Mar 24, 2012
  4. Mike500

    Mike500 Senior Member

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    These are probably the best for the smaller 8mm ones that Toyota uses for the main bottom engine cover;

    eBay - New & used electronics, cars, apparel, collectibles, sporting goods & more at low prices

    The OEM ones depend on the frictional surface between nylon and nylon for retention.

    The ones with the screw are "ratcheting" in that the screw ridges and valleys "grab" each other and help prevent "creeping" slide out of the center push pin.

    The screw ones need the Phillips screw to be taken out to be crmoved.

    I noticed that the Toyota mudguards used the screw center push rivets for their greater holding and retention power.
     
    #4 Mike500, Mar 24, 2012
  5. cobradb

    cobradb Member

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    these clips too large for 2010
     
    #5 cobradb, Apr 8, 2012
  6. Mike500

    Mike500 Senior Member

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    As

    Please read the original post carefully.


    I stated in my original post, the one larger clip is correct. The others are 8mm. The holes would have to be enlarged to thake the larger 10mm clip.
     
    #6 Mike500, Apr 8, 2012
  7. ny_rob

    ny_rob Senior Member

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    @ Rude person's...
    Thanks for the link on the rivets- mine arrived the other day. They seem much more robust than the all plastic OEM Toyota rivets.

    BTW- I've been using a flat head screwdriver to pop the top and diagonal pliers to pull the body from the hole. That method seems very amateurish to me- is there a specific tool or better method to accomplish the task of rivet unlock and removal?
     
    #7 ny_rob, Apr 9, 2012
  8. wick1ert

    wick1ert Senior Member

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    I use the same flat head screwdriver technique, except I pry the body out with it, too. I've often wondered about getting some coarse thread screws to put into there instead. Knowing we have 8mm and 10mm openings, that might be a good option. Maybe get one of those plastic deals that clip onto an area to hold the screw into place. Hmmmm, might be time to check out the local Home Cheapo or Lowes for something to put together......

    I've seen someone use a tack remover or something like that. Basically, a wide flat head with a gap in the middle.

    These things, with some screws should work well for a lot of them, I think:

    http://www.clipsandfasteners.com/Toyota_U_Nut_14_Screw_Size_20mm_X_29mm_p/a14276.htm

    That website also has tons of fasteners, and maybe another option for ordering them.
     
    #8 wick1ert, Apr 9, 2012
  9. Mike500

    Mike500 Senior Member

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    #9 Mike500, Apr 9, 2012
    TsKarma and Den49 like this.
  10. ny_rob

    ny_rob Senior Member

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    Thanks again....

    Harbor Freight just opened a store the next town over- Guess I'll bring one of the new rivets with me and see what they have that will work.

    -Rob
     
    #10 ny_rob, Apr 9, 2012
  11. El Dobro

    El Dobro A Member

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    I used one today to remove the entire bottom panel to do an oil change and look around under there.
     
    #11 El Dobro, Apr 16, 2012
  12. Den49

    Den49 Member

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    Thanks to Rude person's for identifying the Harbor Freight 67400 "Push Pin Pliers". I received mine yesterday and tried it on a few push pins. It works great, much better than a paint can opener or screw driver. With the pliers it is now an easy one-handed procedure: grab the push pin head, squeeze the pliers and pull it out.
     
    #12 Den49, Apr 26, 2012
  13. Bullydog

    Bullydog Meus Prius

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    Thank you Mike! I just ordered a set of the 10mm rivets and I will drill out the smaller holes to make them all the same size. Also, thanks for the info on the pliers. I have a local Harbor Freight store near where I live. I will stop by this weekend to get a set of the rivet pliers.
     
    #13 Bullydog, Apr 28, 2012
  14. gliderman

    gliderman Active Member

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    Be prepared to wait. I ordered a set over a month ago and they just say to keep waiting. For $6.99 its almost not worth fooling with, but I will wait another week. Patience....
     
    #14 gliderman, Apr 28, 2012
  15. has been

    has been vote for anyone except Trump

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    Tacoma Screw, Fasteners, Inc., places like this IN YOUR OWN HOME TOWN or close locale will be able to provide you with all of this type of thing.
    Buy local!
    Save your own town!
     
    #15 has been, Jul 1, 2012
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  16. gliderman

    gliderman Active Member

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    I ordered in April and they never arrived. They wouldnt give me a refund, said to keep waiting. $6.99 isnt much but I had to get Paypal to refund. I wont let anyone take my money without recourse. Bought what I needed at local auto supply.
     
    #16 gliderman, Jul 1, 2012
  17. rrg

    rrg Active Member

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    Just a quick update. I ordered the $6.99 large push pins from over seas.

    I used them on the large holes only for the oil change door. They fit more snug but after 6k miles I did my oil change and I had trouble removing them with a screw driver. My fault because I did not have a tool. They broke in pieces from being very brittle. I suspect from outdoor exposure and lack of the correct tool.

    I am going to try the Napa ones next and get a pin removal tool.
     
    #17 rrg, Aug 28, 2012
  18. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    can-opener-5x3.png
    Paint can openers are also good with these fasteners.
     
    #18 Mendel Leisk, Aug 28, 2012
  19. gliderman

    gliderman Active Member

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    No wonder every painter I hire is a drunk. Look whats on the other end of the paint can opener!

    The can opener/bottle opener is probably the first popular multi-tool invented.

    Back on topic, I bought a push pin removal tool from Harbor Freight and seems like it was about $6 with the 20% coupon. Works great!
     
    #19 gliderman, Aug 28, 2012
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