Driver side kick panel fastener orientation?

I’m reinstalling the trim panel by my feet after installing a new switch. During removal I broke the white clips. I got new ones, but I’m not sure which way they are supposed to face! There’s an angled head, so it can either face forwards or backwards. Anyone know which way is correct? I figured I ask before I go break the new ones.

 

Angle forward

 

That panel can be a real pain to get back in. Don't give up - it will snap in eventually.

 

Thanks guys. Got the bottom clip to snap in, the top one is a bitch. It’s tough to “feel”. Anyways I’ll play with it more later - good enough for now!

 

Top one sucks, no doubt. Took me a good 20 minutes of not giving up when I put mine back in once.

 

I gave up on getting the top one in after my OEM tailgate install. The bottom snapped in and that along with the little nut on the floor snugged everything up pretty good. It doesn’t seem to rattle so I’m good. I kid you not I must have spent hours trying to get that bastard to snap in.
I hate admitting defeat over such a simple thing but I know when I’m licked!

 

I’m in 45min and this lil sucker will NoT snap in.... grrr well at least it’s not broken yet.

 

I know it sounds dumb but my wife had a similar issue where a panel popped off while I was out of town for work. I had her spin by the dealership and they just had a tech run out and snap it back in. She was in and out in less than 5 minutes.

 

Yeah they know all the voodoo magic tricks ha ha

 

Did you ever get it in Rod? I thought about snapping the fasteners in their respective holes and then try to catch the panel on them. Definitely backwards and the incorrect way to do it but it might work. I never did piss around any more with mine but one of these days I probably will give that a shot. I hesitate though because it’s in tight against everything and still isn’t making any noise. My wife says that I need to learn to leave well enough alone but sometimes I just can’t resist.

 

I recently went through this with the passenger side kick panel when installing my tailgate lock.

I too was struggling to get the panel to snap back in. What I noticed was the clips would slide too far back in the slots in the panel. There are little nubs in the slot that locate the clips where they are supposed to be.

After an unsuccessful attempt, reposition the clips towards the front (open end) of the slot and in front of the nubs. Also make sure the pointy part of the clips are angled forward.

With the clips properly positioned in the slots it is easier to snap them in the holes. Notice I didn't say easy, I said easier. It still might take you a few tries.

 

Ha! That’s my New Year’s resolution every year. And it will be again this year. And next year. And the year after that. Maybe I’ll learn one of these years. Good luck!

 

If I remember correctly it was the top clip that I had trouble with as well. And it was the one that slid too far back in the slot. The bottom one didn't have this problem as much. Which is why it generally pops in easier.

 

We’ll probably never learn, nature of the beast.

 

Another thing I thought of was you could tie a piece of string or fishing line around the connector and run it through the hole and out the larger opening. Pull on the string while pushing the panel in and it might help guide the pin into the hole. Then cut off the string hanging out and tuck it behind the cover.

 

Could work

 

I guess im not the only one who has theirs keep popping out slightly

 

That panel has earned its name more than once in my truck. Where finesse and skill fails, brute force and ignorance triumphs.

 

Bwaaaahahaha

 

I need to buy a whole new panel. I gave up and pushed too hard and discolored the plastic. I'm still peeved at myself for that one. You have the patience of a saint.