joensbca

Got a new luggage net for Christmas for my 2011 E350 coupe. A seemingly simple procedure has stopped me cold--how to remove the "expanding rivet" so that the "double hook" can be installed.

The expanding rivet is this flat plastic plug-like thing that appears to be inserted into a metal housing that needs to be removed in order to screw in the hooks that hold the top side of the net (the bottom of the net attaches to existing eyelet on either side of the trunk).

All the instruction manual says is to remove the rivet with a screwdriver. Easier said than done. It doesn't screw out because there's no slot on the head. I tried unscrewing it by placing my fingernails in the 3 small notches along the edge and turning it but it just spins round. I tried prying the whole thing off with the screwdriver but that doesn't work either. HELP!

Has anyone installed this type of thing before? Thanks.

steelgrey

This is what you need...not cheap but well worth it. Makes removing push pin clips easy. http://www.amazon.com/KD-Tools-3729-.../dp/B000JFN9NQ The pin in the center needs to be pried up not the entire round clip. The pin releases the clip.

joensbca

Thanks, steelgrey. Those pliers are pricey but seems to be the only thing that'll work. Regular needle-nose pliers tore the sh*t out of the plug and still didn't remove it.