1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Undoing push mount zip cable ties?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by SaxPriud, Mar 18, 2022.

  1. SaxPriud

    SaxPriud Junior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 25, 2018
    23
    8
    0
    Location:
    TN, USA
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I am really struggling with these. 8.5 hours into replacing the evaporator, and I am stalled testing to get the dash bar off because I can’t get the cabling loose. Any hints? It seems the biggest obstacle in this job so far has been all the cable ties.

    IMG_8523.jpg
     
  2. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    55,413
    38,648
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    upload_2022-3-18_8-55-52.png

    Maybe you can release the jaws by pushing something like a needle nose plier tips in that pocket.
     
  3. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 30, 2008
    23,796
    15,445
    0
    Location:
    Indiana, USA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    If there is access to the back of the panel it is pushed through, sometimes it is possible to slip a 10 mm box wrench over it, which is just the right size to squeeze its ears and release it.

    That wasn't my idea; somebody else posted it in the last year or so. I forget who it was, but it changed my life.

    Trouble is, still not every clip has adequate behind-the-panel access. Then sometimes you need to work a thin blade under the 'skirt' of the clip and try to snag the tips of its ears that way.
     
    SaxPriud likes this.
  4. mr_guy_mann

    mr_guy_mann Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2020
    3,430
    1,485
    0
    Location:
    NJ-USA
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    That clip goes into a rectangular hole. The tabs that lock it in place might on the "ends" or the "sides" of the hole. (Honda has a few evil variants with 4 tabs) I have used a variety of methods to deal with them.

    1)use a small tool (pick, needle nose pliers, screwdriver- whatever works) to depress the tabs from the back side while pulling gently out. Sometimes you can push the clip to one side and get 1 tab to release then move it the other way for the 2nd.

    2) as mentioned "lift the skirt" around the hole and sometimes you can use a pick to just push the tiny little tip of the tab that pokes up through the hole

    3) carefully cut the zip tie off and resecure with a new one through the old base when going together

    4) when none of that works, use a "forked" door trim panel tool (or something) to pry the retainer out of the hole. For me -2 out of 3 times the tabs survive enough to clip it back into place.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    SaxPriud likes this.
  5. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 3, 2012
    11,056
    4,499
    0
    Location:
    Pacific Northwest, USA
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Don't overthink it, just put a tool in there and pry it off... The more times you do it, the more skilled you get at popping it off without breaking it... And if it breaks it's not too much of a problem in that particular location.
     
  6. alftoy

    alftoy Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 16, 2009
    1,132
    509
    0
    Location:
    Saskatchewan, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    Base
    #5 alftoy, Mar 18, 2022
    Last edited: Mar 18, 2022
    SaxPriud likes this.
  7. SaxPriud

    SaxPriud Junior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 25, 2018
    23
    8
    0
    Location:
    TN, USA
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
  8. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    55,413
    38,648
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Oy vey, at least do this: