Wheel well screws - Gotta be doing something wrong

[Cyberwiz64]

I was trying to install mud flaps on my 2026 Ranger XL. Simple process to remove a few screws, right? These are the Philips head screw inside of anchor. There are several of these placed around the wheel wells. When you insert the screw the base of the anchor expands and holds everything tight. The front driver side screws unscrewed right out and the anchor popped out, no issue.

When I tried the driver side rear, the screws spun and spun but would not come out. I tried wedging a screw driver under the wide part of the anchor and unscrewing it but that did not work. The only way I could get the screw and the anchor out was to forcefully yank it.

I gotta be doing something wrong. Ok what's the smart way to remove these screws and anchors without destroying them? Any suggestion let me know.

Thanks.

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[got3fords]

That's got to be extremely frustrating. I can't think of anything aside of trying some WD-40 or something on the screws, but that might help them spin better too. I dunno. I assume you can't access the back side of them?

 

[Shrek The Raptor]

When I did the Amber DRLs there were a fair few of these on the front wheel well covers. I eventually got a small flat head screw driver, and stuck it between the screw and the anchor and slowly pulled it away while using a Phillips head to unscrew it. That way I could force the threads to at least try to bite their way out of the anchor. I did have to drill 3-5 out and need to get replacements but just the anchor is holding on okay for now.

 

[TN Ranger]

I installed some fender flares on my Ranger and ran into the exact same problem. After I destroyed a couple fasteners, I figured out you have to apply very light pressure on the screw head while backing it out. Didn't have any problems with the rest of the fasteners.

 

[Cyberwiz64]

Thanks everyone!

 

[Jason B]

Are you talking about these:
They are plastic rivets, sometimes called scrivets for 'screw rivet'. Don't fight them if they won't unscrew, just pop them out and replace with new ones. Ford PN W715694-S300, but can find similar on Amazon.

 

[CACTUSGREYFX4]

Instead of using a screwdriver use something that goes around them then they pop right out.

 

[sweeks888]

I was trying to install mud flaps on my 2026 Ranger XL. Simple process to remove a few screws, right? These are the Philips head screw inside of anchor. There are several of these placed around the wheel wells. When you insert the screw the base of the anchor expands and holds everything tight. The front driver side screws unscrewed right out and the anchor popped out, no issue.

When I tried the driver side rear, the screws spun and spun but would not come out. I tried wedging a screw driver under the wide part of the anchor and unscrewing it but that did not work. The only way I could get the screw and the anchor out was to forcefully yank it.

I gotta be doing something wrong. Ok what's the smart way to remove these screws and anchors without destroying them? Any suggestion let me know.

Thanks.

Sounds like whomever installed them at the factory, over torqued them and stripped out the plastic threads (assuming they are the same type used everywhere else automotive).

 

[Jason B]

Sounds like whomever installed them at the factory, over torqued them and stripped out the plastic threads (assuming they are the same type used everywhere else automotive).

That's the thing with these; you don't torque or screw them in. Just push them through the hole, then firmly push the screw part in.

 

[Awirez]

I installed some fender flares on my Ranger and ran into the exact same problem. After I destroyed a couple fasteners, I figured out you have to apply very light pressure on the screw head while backing it out. Didn't have any problems with the rest of the fasteners.

This. Very light pressure on the screw when attempting to unthread. Once you get it out a few turns twist the head with your fingers. The goal is avoid rotating the outer part and to avoid applying inward pressure on the screw. They can be a pain.

 

[sweeks888]

That's the thing with these; you don't torque or screw them in. Just push them through the hole, then firmly push the screw part in.

Ah ha, that type. I believe if you look closely, you'll see they aren't actually threads, they are just rings that look like threads. However, you say once the screw part is pulled out, you still can't remove the grommet?

 

[Jason B]

No, I'm saying just pull the whole thing out in 'one fell swoop'. No need to remove the screw first.
When I bought the Muslogy flaps on Amazon, it came with a tool to pull them out. That tool makes it easy, but a pair of pliers or diags will do.

 

[superj]

Yup, an interior trim puller and any type of wire cutter will remove those easily.

 

[skytrucker]

Yep- same. A plastic trim fork or similar will pop ‘em right out, no screwdriver necessary…most will be reusable, even if they’re in 2-parts. Most mudflaps come with a bag of replacements, or like others said they’re cheap and easy to find on Amazon or Ford parts…

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