Rubber inner wings

[kitchenman]

I have often seen metion of removing the rubber to gain access to oil filters etc, how is it done, I looked under the wing many times do not seem to see any fixings, are they similar to those used on interior panels, if so how do you avoid damaging them and are spares available:doh

I want to gian access to the area where the aircon pump would fit so I can fit a secong alternator

 

[stinka]

Just rip them off and bin them

Most don't have any on lol

 

[Lazy-Ferret]

They are the plastic trim poppers, as you said. I found that getting some spares from Halfrauds and then using pointed nose pliers to pull them out by slipping the pointed end under the top, between the head and the rubber, either side of the pin, and being ready to replacing any of them where the head snaps off.

I was surprised that they actually take a fair bit of abuse and are still reusable. Don't be tempted to pull the rubber as it splits very easily.

Since the body lift, I had to make new rubber bits up, and the stuff I got was a bit thicker, so have subsequently changed all the poppers to the Halfrauds ones.

 

[exosteve]

Stinka?????
What you doing on here?
Getting your interest back?

Yes just pull em off and bin em..

 

[AlexD333]

Yup Adz ripped mine off! Best decision ever as cleaning and access is now great! :clap

 

[kitchenman]

Yup Adz ripped mine off! Best decision ever as cleaning and access is now great! :clap

What are they there for?
Thanks for the Halfords advice

 

[bud]

What are they there for?
Thanks for the Halfords advice

stop water/mud splash. ensure your radiator shroud is in place though as the mud splash from front wheels will choke the bottom of the radiator fins from the engine bay side

 

[exosteve]

Got no rubbers or rad shroud.
No probs so far though

 

[Lazy-Ferret]

Personally, I like them, as they not only keep the engine bay cleaner, but could also stop things like stones flicked off the wheels from getting through into the engine bay and taking out vulnerable bits. The Oil filter is easy to puncture, and is left exposed once you remove it, then as said, so it the bottom of the rad. In my case, the much loved Aircon pump, and on the other side the steering linkage.

I could not believe how dirty under the bonnet got when I ran for about 3 weeks without them, as I ordered the stuff to make up the bigger ones, and that was without off-roading.

 

[kitchenman]

Glad to hear they do an important job, with the nearside one off I should be able to get to do the second alternator without to much of a struggle.
With Rick and the guy from NZ sending pictures it helps too
Thanks for all the input

 

[Lazy-Ferret]

Glad to hear they do an important job, with the nearside one off I should be able to get to do the second alternator without to much of a struggle.
With Rick and the guy from NZ sending pictures it helps too
Thanks for all the input

There is not that much of a gap, unless you have had a body lift. Still, it's just enough to get your hand through so should help.

I found most times you do not need to remove it, just undo the necessary poppers, and bend it out the way. Hardest ones are the ones across the front.

 

[stinka]

Stinka?????
What you doing on here?
Getting your interest back?

I'd like another mate, but I couldn't justify it to the missus unfortunately

Besides I've got my eyes on a bmw 335i twin turbo

 

[Bigbunny2007]

Besides I've got my eyes on a bmw 335i twin turbo ��[/QUOTE]

Stay well clear of them mate unless you have deep pockets!

 

[stinka]

Yeah ? Why's that ???

What about 330d or a 530d ?