- My model of MX-5 is: NC 3.5
- I’m based near: Bristol
- I’m looking for technical help or recommendations on: Wheel arch liner clips.
Hi MX5ers
Yesterday I had the front wheel arch liners off to change the dipped beam headlight bulbs, and it was a bad day for arch liner clip breakages 
I was very careful, but I think it was a combination of cold weather making them brittle and me having reused them umpteen times.
I have a rule of thumb whereby if one of the 4 “legs” of the outer part of the fastener snaps off, I’ll re-use it with 3 legs provided I get a nice click as the inner part is pushed home, but if I get another snapped leg leaving only 2 remaining, I replace it with a new one.
Yesterday was not a good day, and by the time I’d finished reassembly on one side of the car I had only a few good clips remaining and had to use the last of my stash of new OEM clips to reassemble the other side.
I’ve tried a number of various alternatives to the Mazda OEM fastener, but haven’t found anything as good. I’ve found one that is very cheap and does the job, but removal is a pain because rather than a quarter turn the inner part is threaded and it takes ages holding the outer in place with pliers or a screwdriver while carefully unscrewing without rounding off the slot.
Just before I buy a load of OEM fasteners in readiness for my next project underneath, please can anyone suggest an alternative cheaper faster which is just as quick to remove?
Thanks.