Hi! I see a previous owner totally buggered up the "coin" locks on the rear speaker/spare tire cover. Anyone know if these clips/locks are still available through a GM parts dealer online?
Thanks,
Mark.

 

The last time I checked, moderndaymuscle.com had them for $7 each.

 

Just an FYI, that link did not work. And I couldn't find that name with google search. Thanks for responding.

 

You are correct. I did find a 3 pack on eBay for $16. Just look up Firebird rear hatch trim panel fasteners.

 

Found the same. it's a done deal Thanks for the info.

 

You're welcome.

 

I replaced mine right before the show I just did and man they are flimsy. I used a quarter to turn them and one of them tried to get buggered up. How are yall opening that area without screwing it up?

 

I've been using a thick blade narrow putty knife. Coins don't get a good grip and chew up the slot. Something flat grips better and won't slip as easy.

 

I have a few older putty knives I will try those in the slot. How did GM have you turn them when they were new? My 98 back in 09 was missing what ever tool they provided if anything as well.

 

I bought a 98 Camaro new and it did not come with a tool for those clips.

 

This is correct. I also bought my '99 and '00 F-bodies brand new, and neither one of them came with any sort of tool for this purpose.

Believe it or not, the owner's manual actually suggests to use a coin (quarter) to turn the screws. It doesn't explicitly say this, but it shows an image of a quarter being used to turn the screw on page 5-24 of the 2002 owner's manual.

 

I find they get messed up if the panel isn't exactly aligned so that they turn easily. They aren't forgiving at all, they don't grab and draw the panel down, nothing Just a T tab that goes through a slot and leaves it to you to blindly get it lined up just right. I use my fingers to turn those things while giving the panel a bit of a wiggle with my other hand so that I don't totally trash them after I messed the one up really bad on my old 98 years ago.

 

Put in the new 'clips' from ebay. They came with the clip and a foam spacer/aniti-vibration block just like OEM. The putty knife I used worked, but I don't like to clutter up the car with stuff/tools. So I made a penny tool to fit the clips. It works great. No muss, no fuss, does not strip out the clips. See pics. BTW, use a late model penny, they are not solid copper so easier to cut. You can see from the pics the government switched from solid copper pennies to zinc pennies with copper clad face. They are much easier to cut to make the tool. And then it can be stored in the coin holder in the center console.

 

I actually use the back side of the blade of my pocket knife. I set the handle 90° to the blade and turn. Works great and has for years.

 

This is correct and, for everyone's information, the transition year was 1982.