Automotive Clips & Fasteners

Fasteners, Small But Essential

Automotive clips and fasteners are small yet crucial parts of any vehicle. Everything, from the body panels to the engine components, is held in place by these tiny hardware components. Your car would fall to pieces without them. This post will discuss different automotive clips and fasteners, their functions, applications and how to remove and replace them.

Without them, your car would fall apart

a blue vehicle taken apart and a close up of the body

There are multiple types of automotive fasteners and clips, each with a different function. Here are some examples:

  • Push clips: To release these clips, you need to push in their small middle tab. They are often used to secure and hold body panels in place.
  • Rivets: Rivets are small, cylindrical fasteners used to connect two or more pieces of metal. They are often used to secure body panels to the car's frame.
  • Screws: Screws are used to hold parts together by threading into a tapped hole. They are often used to fasten body panels to the frame or to hold engine parts in place.
  • Nuts and bolts: Nuts and bolts are used to fasten two or more parts together by turning the nut onto the bolt. They are frequently used to secure engine parts.
Automotive shop with different car tools like funnels, hammers, pliers, ratchets, screwdrivers, and more

You'll need a few basic tools, such as a screwdriver or a drill, to remove car clips or fasteners. You may also need pliers, a rivet gun, or a socket set depending on the type of clips or fasteners you're removing.

To remove push clips, gently pry the center tab up with a flathead screwdriver. The clip can then be removed. A drill and a rivet gun are required to remove rivets. First, drill out the center of the rivet with the drill. Then, using the rivet gun, push the remaining rivet out from the backside. To remove screws, loosen and remove the screw with a screwdriver. Use a wrench to remove nuts and bolts.

You can then install a new clip or fastener after removing the old one. To secure the new clip or fastener in place, just complete the previous steps in reverse.

In conclusion, automotive fasteners and clips are crucial for maintaining the integrity of your vehicle. They occur in a variety of forms, each serving a particular purpose. To remove and replace them, you'll need a few straightforward tools and some expertise. If you know how to use and replace different clips and fasteners, you can maintain your car running safely and looking good.

Now Available: Clips, Fasteners, Bulbs and Sockets

man sanding a car for paint, clips and fasteners, and automotive repair tools

FindPigtails.com has clips, fasteners, bulbs and socket available and in-stock. Shop our selection here or if you need help finding the right fastener for your collision repair contact us today.