How to remove front plastic undertray

[steve_wilwerding]

I need to remove the front-most plastic undertray to replace my front hard brake line. Unlike the other plastic pieces, which are held on with plastic nuts, there seem to be six clips that hold the front tray on. I can't see any way, other than destroying these clips, to remove them.

Is that the answer - do I just destroy the clips and buy six new ones? Or is there some trick to getting them off?

[trygve]

If you mean the big flat center front underbody panel, held in place by metal clips (about 1" x 2" if I recall), those clips do not break when you pull them off. Just pry at one end of the clip with a small screwdriver until it unhooks, then do the other side if needed.

Edited November 6, 2006 by trygve

[steve_wilwerding]

If you mean the big flat center front underbody panel, held in place by metal clips (about 1" x 2" if I recall), those clips do not break when you pull them off. Just pry at one end of the clip with a small screwdriver until it unhooks, then do the other side if needed.

I didn't realize they were metal - they seem to be made of plastic!

And, yes, I'm talking about the front plastic undertray directly behind the bumper.

[trygve]

Well it's possible we're talking about two different things (or things that are different per model year; mine's a '98), but when we did my suspension changes we had to remove the front underbody tray to r&r the sway bar, and I distinctly recall those six or so clips being metal and we re-used them. I recall them being roughly the size and shape of a stick of chewing gum with about 1/4" to 1/2" of each end bent at a 90 degree angle.

[steve_wilwerding]

Well it's possible we're talking about two different things (or things that are different per model year; mine's a '98), but when we did my suspension changes we had to remove the front underbody tray to r&r the sway bar, and I distinctly recall those six or so clips being metal and we re-used them. I recall them being roughly the size and shape of a stick of chewing gum with about 1/4" to 1/2" of each end bent at a 90 degree angle.

It turns out the new ones are metal, but the ones on my car (which I assume are original to my 98) are plastic. I assume you ruin the plastic ones getting them off, and replace them with the metal ones, which I have already bought six of.

I guess people got sick of ruining the pieces every time they took the front tray off!