2013 lower valance removal challenge

[lesrub]

So far I have not had much success in getting responses from this forum on my new Edge.  Maybe my luck will change on this question.  The lower valance is damaged and I bought a replacement.  No issues removing the black push pin connectors and screws.  But there are two unusual connectors on the very outer end of each side of the valance that I cant figure out how to remove.  I have never seen these type before.  They have a wing-nut on one end and it just spins.  Maybe they are pressed on from Ford? Surely someone can chime in on this as thousands of these have been replaced over the years.  I did try to search for the answer before I posted but no luck.

 

Thanks.

LR

[CARR142]

Does it look like this?

[lesrub]

Wrong car, wrong bolt and nut that I am referring to.  The retainers I am referring to are at the very corner left and right of the valance.  Thanks anyway.

[Perblue]

sounds maybe like the metal clips the slide on to plastic parts so you can bolt to it. you have to get a vice grip on the nut end so you can spin out the bolt. that's my best guess from experience without a picture.

[lesrub]

No sir those I can easily remove.  I will have to take a picture I guess.  These have a three sided wing-nut and bolt that spins and looks like it is pressed on from the factory.  As I stated, I have never seen this type of bolt clip setup.  I will try and find a picture of them.

[lesrub]

OK I found on a Ford parts finder site the part.  HM2 looks like some form of pop rivet with a flared wing-nut.  I'm assuming I will need to cut them off and replace with a regular bolt and nut.  Looks like I will need to make a run by the Ford dealer to make sure.

[lesrub]

Valance is replaced and looks like new.  Removing the factory corner rivets was a pain but got it done the old fashion way, with a small hacksaw blade and patience.  Probably other ways to do it, but it worked and I didn't have to go buy anything else.  BTW, I replaced the valance with an aftermarket one for $60 bucks on EB and it fit perfect.  Used heavy-duty zip ties instead of buying the Ford rivets or aftermarket rivets.  Could also use small bolts, nuts, and washers instead of the zip ties.  Overall took about two hours.  Now the goal is to keep it from getting damaged again.

Edited August 18, 2021 by lesrub

[Tdee]

On 8/18/2021 at 4:44 PM, lesrub said:

Valance is replaced and looks like new.  Removing the factory corner rivets was a pain but got it done the old fashion way, with a small hacksaw blade and patience.  Probably other ways to do it, but it worked and I didn't have to go buy anything else.  BTW, I replaced the valance with an aftermarket one for $60 bucks on EB and it fit perfect.  Used heavy-duty zip ties instead of buying the Ford rivets or aftermarket rivets.  Could also use small bolts, nuts, and washers instead of the zip ties.  Overall took about two hours.  Now the goal is to keep it from getting damaged again.

 

I changed out my damaged valance this afternoon.  It took me about 2.5 hours.  The bulk of the time was from using the hack saw to remove the 4 rivets.  I also used zip ties.  I had some aluminum rivets, but I couldn't get them to hold.  I believe the zip ties will work just fine.

[BlackHat]

Quote

The bulk of the time was from using the hack saw to remove the 4 rivets. 

 

For everyone else who has to remove these, a pair of side cutters takes them off in 2 minutes.