Side skirt designer must die!

[lowndex]

Who ever designed the method of securing the side skirts must die! Every time I remove the side skirts, I break the white (new ones are black) panel clips. What's worse is watching someone skilled at removing or installing the skirts. They do the deed with ease. What is, I am convinced, an absolute physical impossibility is made to seem easy.

Yes, I am tired and pissed. Friggin French side skirts.

[HGB]

Couldn't we just wound them?

[RussBarnes]

OK and after several times the thin tabs molded onto the side skirts will break too, at least toward the front where it has to move out as well as back. I'm hoping the epoxy will hold as now that I have paid to have these smoothed and repainted I don't want to have to replace them for a flimsy design flaw.

[Kermit]

Weren't they designed by a German though?

I broke one of my white clips while jacking in the wrong spot while being an idiot in a hurry. I don't have the luxury of having a Smartcenter nearby though. It'll be replaced when I pull all the panels and skirts for a repaint in the upcoming months once humidity dies down.

[ShaneXman]

I have removed my side skirts about 5 times now, and have yet to break a clip. The easiest way to remove/replace the side skirts I have found, is to follow these directions - FQ101 : Smart Car Modifications

However, when reinstalling, I have found that it's easier to remove the little white things from the car...install them on the side skirts, and pop the side skirt back on the car with all the white clips in place. Also, be sure that the little hook thingy on the front of the side skirt hooks into place and doesn't get bent in/squashed. Just a heads up.

[SmartCard]

May I ask the dumb question of why "we" are removing the side skirts so much in the first place??

[Evilution]

ShaneXman - you should start using the "SCOA supporting tuner" website instead of FQ.

Here are my instructions.
Evilution - Smart Car Encyclopaedia

I am with you on the refitting, FQ's refitting idea is silly.
(compare our rear panel removal info for another time saving way over their info).

SmartCard - you have to remove the side skirts to get the front and rear panels off.

[Smart Enuf]

I wonder if dipping the clips in plastic dip (like the kind used to coat tool handles) would reduce breakage. The plastic dip coating is relatively cheap, and I can't think of any downsides. Any thoughts?

Here's a link to one such product:

https://www.hardwareworld.com/Plasti...e-pC443B6.aspx

And another:

PLASTI DIP COATING JR 7.25OZ SMALL CANS VARIOUS COLORS - eBay (item 320267296050 end time Jul-01-08 19:14:21 PDT)

[jonnysan]

Originally Posted by SmartCard

May I ask the dumb question of why "we" are removing the side skirts so much in the first place??

Due to the exasperation of youth with not enough to do or maybe just ADD or ADHD? Just kidding but ofcourse it does seem excessive to me, too.

[Old smart]

Actually, I'm inclined to check both tech sources. Like, if there are two photos of the same operation and if a photo is worth a thousand words, I have access to almost 2,000 words. With regard to putting together a small kit of specialized smart maintenance tools, Kane very thoroughly shows what sort of tools are used for which operations, and Jimmy Wong added which sizes (so I don't have to buy large general assortments and only use a few of them). Thought I could get away with just long "L" keys in T15, T20, T25, T27, and T40, but other info from FQ101 indicated that some fasteners are in awkward places, so I have additionally ordered the same sizes as individual Torx bit sockets to use with a 1/4" socket set and its various extension lengths, universal, and screwdriver and ratchet handles. Back to Kane's info, whereas I don't see me doing engine, running gear or suspension work, I now know that I don't immediately need Jimmy's Torx "E-Sockets." If I do need something in the future, I can get it overnight from McMaster-Carr.