Side-vent marker removal

[Rick]

Having some difficulty removing the OEM side-vent markers to replace with the Matte Black ABS ones I purchased.

Tips please...

(I've already read the DIY thread which stated to "pinch and pull," doesn't seem to work for me).

Thanks.

[SS32]

Are you pinching in the right place? Make sure you're pulling nearly straight up, too. The hardest part for me was getting enough grip to pinch it hard enough to loosen the clips.

[endofanera7]

Originally Posted by rickc

Having some difficulty removing the OEM side-vent markers to replace with the Matte Black ABS ones I purchased.

Tips please...

(I've already read the DIY thread which stated to "pinch and pull," doesn't seem to work for me).

Thanks.

I have difficulties too and it hurts my thumbs while doing that.

I got it out simply by pushing the bottom upwards, you will hear the clicks.

[grayshrk]

And pinch very hard. I just did the same thing yesterday and I was surprised at how difficult it was to pinch the clips out.

[jbrucebmw]

Has anyone tried removing the fender liner to access from behind? I'm in the garage right now trying to remove them and these things are a major PITA.

[endofanera7]

Originally Posted by jbrucebmw

Has anyone tried removing the fender liner to access from behind? I'm in the garage right now trying to remove them and these things are a major PITA.

Just pull it hard, but not hard enough to break the thing. lol

[jbrucebmw]

Call me an old man or a wimp but I simply can't pull it hard enough with the tips of my fingers. I've been around my fair share or restorations and wrenched in the garage but this is a major pain.

[Rick]

Thanks for the tips guys... I'll try again this evening.

Also, are the tabs located only on the underside of the marker? I thought they were on the top and bottom which is why I may be having some trouble.

[jbrucebmw]

I unscrewed the fender liner and now I can get my arm up behind the fender and feel the tabs on the back of the side marker but I still can't get these things off.

[endofanera7]

Originally Posted by rickc

Thanks for the tips guys... I'll try again this evening.

Also, are the tabs located only on the underside of the marker? I thought they were on the top and bottom which is why I may be having some trouble.

yes top and bottom, but i find it easier to work from bottom up.

[endofanera7]

Originally Posted by jbrucebmw

I unscrewed the fender liner and now I can get my arm up behind the fender and feel the tabs on the back of the side marker but I still can't get these things off.

I still dont get it. ANy pics?

[MachineDriver]

Look at the replacement part... The clips are identically located. I found that working from the underside near the tip was easiest. Good luck.

[eclipsisNA]

Originally Posted by jbrucebmw

I unscrewed the fender liner and now I can get my arm up behind the fender and feel the tabs on the back of the side marker but I still can't get these things off.

You're doing it the wrong way. You pinch, but not THAT hard. Pinch with your thumbs on top of the markers and the other four fingers on the bottom. Pull the bottom upwards in a somewhat circular motion TOWARDS YOU while pushing downward on top AWAY FROM YOU. This will remove them very easily without hurting your hands.

[jbrucebmw]

After two hours I gave up. I can barely type now. I can totally see how the tabs work and where they are on the new parts but I just can't squeeze hard enough. I'll give my fingers a rest and try again in a few days.

[swamp2]

I found it a bit tough to get this apart as well. I ended up just pulling on the lower end of the oval part to dislodge the two lower clips first. I did not have to compress the clips just sort of pried it against its own interface above the upper clips. It takes some force but comes out with no damage. It would be better to press the clips together while removing but I just couldn't make progress with that method. Once you have it all apart have a look at my post on problems with the screw hole in some parts here.

Edit: I am describing removing the oval from the side marker housing, not the housing from the car. So I am quite guiilty here of providing the right answer to the wrong question. Hopefully both the advice above and link will still be useful to some.

[sard]

LOL I busted up my fingers installing mine also, but finally got it. Like the previous posts, the best way is to just fuckin grab it and pull it up. Try squeezing at the same time, but just pull the whole thing up. You'll hear the bottom tabs kinda click out. Then you gotta try your best to pop the entire thing outwards. Combination of wiggles, squeezing...

[rzm3]

There is a video too: http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=170882

[jbrucebmw]

Awe, so in the video, you remove the whole mock mesh grill with the chrome piece. I was trying to just remove the chrome piece while leaving the black plastic in the fender. I'll have to try again.

[endofanera7]

Originally Posted by jbrucebmw

Awe, so in the video, you remove the whole mock mesh grill with the chrome piece. I was trying to just remove the chrome piece while leaving the black plastic in the fender. I'll have to try again.

LOL...

[eclipsisNA]

Like I said earlier, pull the piece in a counter-clockwise motion away from you. This is extremely simple if performed in this manner.

[AZE92M3]

Counter clockwise on both sides? Doesn't one side need pressure a different direction?

[sg///M3]

I just jammed a cloth wrapped screwdriver between the side marker and the fender piece (on the bottom around where the tabs are supposed to be to compress the tab) and pulled the side marker upwards to get the bottom part loose. It popped out pretty easily after that. Just be careful not to scratch your paint.