Yes... I'm actually asking FOR a How-to...

I've been looking around and I DID find THIS THREAD with some details surrounding pulling off the side skirts, but I still don't feel like I have a good grasp on the fundamentals of pulling off and then replacing them. I need to remove the trim, make a modification to the peice while it's off the car and then replace it.



Does anyone know a better How-to out there that answers the following questions?

1. Do you have to remove the wheel arches prior to removing the side skirts, or can I just pull off the side peices by themselves?

2. Do I access the "clips" thart secure the trim peice from underneath, or do I use a tool to get under the trim peice and pry downwards?

3. Is there a way to do this without ruining the OEM clips or can they be removed (sounds like no, but I thought I'd ask...) What will a set of replacement clips run me?

4. Is there solid steel under the bottom edge of the trim? I assume "yes" since others can and have jacked the entire car up using a 2X4 set between the jack points, but I want to be sure that there are no fuel lines, brake lines or wires running under there that I might accidentally damage.

5. How to replace? Just hold it in place and push the replacement tabs back in?

6. Any special tools required for any step of the removal/replacement?

Seeing as how many users here have painted the trim, I assume someone out there has first-hand knowlege of this process - your help is very much appreciated.

Thank you!

 

Removing side skirts will ruin all clips. You'll need to order replacements. The push type fasteners underneath that look like screws you can use over.

More info to come...

 

http://www.mini2.com/forum/faq.php?f...q_faq_exterior
Just look in the exterior section. They have pics and everything.

 

Just unscre like 1 screw from each end and then yank the skirt off....then put new clips on new sideskirt...pop into place then install screws. Thats how I did it.

 

1. no need to remove the arches
2. those "clips" are screw off. you can reuse them... there are reusable clips above also, where the door sill is. you'll have to peel back the "MINI Cooper S" sill plates carefully, they bend very easily. the clips that are horizontal to the body are "broken off" when you yank the skirts off.
3. see above for more info on salvageable pieces. i dont know how much the replacements cost. when i bought my aero skirts two bags of replacements came along with 'em
4. i cant remember if there's anything delicate under there... i recall something on the passenger side, some pull cable tubes maybe... but dont quote me on that one. i did this install/removal without jacking the car up...
5. replacement is reverse of removal. snap in the horizontal clips first, attach bottom clips, then top clips, replace the sill.
6. only special tool id recommend is a plastic scraper of some sort if you plan on reusing the sill plates. if you're replacing with an aero kit it doesnt matter since there's no spot to put the sill plates unless you customize.

good luck

 

That's a good How-to... Didn't realize that I had to take the metal sill peice off - good to know.

QUESTION: Since the horizontal tabs break when you remove the trim, and the Aero skirt (which I'm not using) has its own clips, how do you get the relacement clips onto the OEM skirt peice? Is it obvious when you see it in person?

Thanks, guys!

 

you slide the horizontal clips into the skirt and pop em into place. very obvious when you see the skirts off...

 

Schweeet... Thanks again. I feel much better about this, now.

 

Why am I seeing LEDs in the side skirts?

 

No... when I look into my ImagoX crystal ball, I see full length neons. Or maybe aircraft landing lights.

YD