Tonneau Cover Snap Stuck

N2Cobras · #1 (**permalink**) 04-08-2023, 02:53 PM

HELP! It's the first beautiful day since I got the car last winter, trying to get my SPF Cobra out for the first time and one of the snaps refuses to release on the tonneau. I taped old credit cards to protect the body and tried to pry off with slotted screwdrivers but it does not want to budge. It's a smaller headed snap by the driver's door. A regular thickness 5/16" open end wrench doesn't fit between the body and the cover, I figured I would just unscrew it, is this a good idea? I don't have any ignition wrenches that size or I would give it a try.

I tried to post pictures of the snap but the upload window wouldn't let me post either in .jpg or .pdf that were within the file size guidelines, maybe it's because I'm a newer member?

kevins2 · #2 (**permalink**) 04-08-2023, 03:07 PM

Those are likely "lift the dot" fasteners and, if you look closely, there is a small raised dot on one end of the chrome plate of the fastener. If installed correctly, it should be on the outside of the tonneau cover so you would essentially lift from the outside. It sometimes helps to pull on the cover (toward the outside like you're trying to stretch it). If you get two fingers under the outside edges of the fastener - one on each side of the stud - and then pull and lift, it should come off.

MaSnaka · #3 (**permalink**) 04-08-2023, 03:08 PM

Id shoot a spot of wd40 on there. Maybe twist the cover back and forth over the snap.
Maybe even try a heat gun or blow dryer. Unscrewing it may chip the paint.

John

N2Cobras · #4 (**permalink**) 04-08-2023, 03:31 PM

Kevin,

I got all the Lift A Dots off w/o a problem. One of the two TENAX snaps is the one being stubborn.

John,
I had the same concerns about chipping the paint, will give it a try with lubricant and heat.

Thx for the quick responses

Mike

Blas · #5 (**permalink**) 04-08-2023, 04:49 PM

On the Tenax you need to lift the top connector to disengage the snap.
Blas

N2Cobras · #6 (**permalink**) 04-08-2023, 07:42 PM

Blas,

I was going to PM you initially figuring you probably knew the answer and didn't, my bad. Unfortunately, I applied toooo much pressure and ripped the connector free of the cover. Guess I'll go see my local upholsterer / boat cover guy and see what he can do. At least I'll have great weather tomorrow for my first drive.

Not sure what you mean, "lift the top connector to disengage the snap", I thought I did the same on both sides, one popped off and the other didn't disengage.

As they say: Educations are seldom cheap unless you learn from someone else's misfortune.