I was given a set of 07 chrome side vents to replace my stock 2004 ones and according to the youtube video I have seen I simply undo the top bolt, and then open the door and pull the bottom panel off to access the bottom one - except I can't My fingers are far too big to get into the little gap that is there and it seems to be stuck fast - I obviously don't want to damage anything so is there a trick to getting that little panel out?

from memory i think a long screwdriver in from the top will do the job.

this any good,
http://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic1069.html






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Last edited by stan on 24th Jul 2015 12:10pm. Edited 1 time in total

My hands are like shovels and i managed to get the panel off mine when i changed them just a case of squeeze your fingers in and brute force just don't pull too excessive tho, it's only a clip that holds them in place ....

I must have fingers and hands like an ape as I simply cannot get my fingers in there - my mate had a go and he cant budge it at all so I'll take a look at that link and see if I can go that way - photos later if I am successful!

i had to pull them off to fit new front mud flaps (part of side step kit i bought).
Firstly they are made of fairly good quality plastic and are quite solid. I didnt have to undo the top bolt (you might have to, the bolt head is a sod to get to), as the panel slid out (it has a slot that locates on that bolt).

The lower area is held by the 2 nylon clip features, to separate then I gripped the lower edge and pulled towards myself (a fair bit of force is required). When replacing, locate top slot on bolt and push home. For the lower location, position snap features over the holes and with the flat of your hand push firmly. You should hear/feel them locate. I had to slap one side to get the clips to locate.

There is a nut accessible from the wheel arch that holds the top of the lower panel to the wing panel, this needs slacking off a little, then open the door, and with something thin, long and strong enough to get behind the panel and gently lever it out of its clips.

you can see the nut in the top left of this picture (of mine )

Click image to enlarge

I just used one of these -

http://m.screwfix.com/p/angle-screwdriver-set-12pc/13391

No need to remove anything but the vents themselves

Well, after a LOT of swearing and removal of a few self tapping screws that the last owner had kindly installed in places he shouldn't have I managed with a bit of help to get the job done

I ended up taking the mud flaps off as I spotted a fair amount of accumulated muck and debris in there so thought I may as well clean that while I was at it.

The drivers side panel did move out enough to get access to the lower nut, but the passengers side was not budging no matter how much force we applied (without getting too rough that we might break the panel)

the reason was the afore mentioned self tappers that had been put through the mudflap in place of the bolts that should have been there - the photos below show before during and after the job - as I said there was a lot of muck in there so I brushed it out and gave the area a quick clean - I'm quite pleased with the results

Click image to enlarge

Click image to enlarge

Click image to enlarge

Nice contrast with the black paintwork