Removing Front Wheel-housing Liner (inner fender)
 

I am about to replace my right (passenger side) radiator. I’ve got a leak where the lower radiator hose connects to the radiator.
I’ve already taken off the bumper and moved the A/C condenser out of the way. I now need to remove the wheel-housing liner to access the rear of the radiator and disconnect the fan.
I’ve unscrewed the three Plastic Nuts (999 049 022 40) holding the liner, but there are four Plastic Expansion Rivets (999 507 497 40). I don’t know how to remove the rivets. My parts catalog states there are 13 rivets total. I am assuming that includes the other side.
I am prepared to go the brute-force and ignorance route to pull out the rivets and purchase replacement rivets from my local dealer.
Before I do that I have two questions: 1) are the rivets reusable?; 2) To remove the rivets do I just get a screwdriver and a pair of pliers and yank them out?

Any assistance you provide will be greatly appreciated.

This is a 1999 Boxster.

MNC-I

Remove the "cap" first--it's attached to a shaft that fits into the body and expands it. Once this is removed, the body pulls out easily. I use a tool designed for door panel removal, a fork of sorts or the claw on a claw hammer. Better to lift on opposite sides of the cap simultaneously rather than prying in just one spot.

Since these rivets are plastic and old, they're easily broken, so good idea to have some new ones on hand. If the cap breaks off the shaft, just push the shaft on through with a punch or nail. The pieces will obviously fall out once the liner is removed.

Installation is body first, then shaft with cap pushed in.

Do like Kent says for removal, but douse 'em liberally with WD40 first and let it penetrate.
It helps to loosen and lubricate the "cap" part so it's easier to pull out of the body of the rivet.
Less chance of snapping the head off this way.

Ikchris
BoxsterSteve,

Thanks for the quick response and great advice.

Thanks again!

V/r
MNC-I

WD40 just say NO
 

Kroil

Penetrating-Lubricating Oils

That panel removal tool is a must have! I swear that I use that tool for a ton of stuff. Of all my tools ( quite a few) this one is my desert island fave!

I have the same tool, got it for cheap from harbor freight.

I get to do this on the weekend. Accidentally pulled a smidgen too hard on the emergency fuel door release... :o

Been there done that. It's a pain to replace.

http://986forum.com/forums/diy-project-guides/10273-how-replace-fuel-cap-emerg-cable.html

Harbor Freight has both plastic and metal ones for a song!

Have a look here-
Accessing the Radiators

Check out these articles:

Porsche Boxster Front Bumper Removal - 986 / 987 (1997-08) - Pelican Parts Technical Article
Porsche Boxster Radiator Replacement and Cleaning - 986 / 987 (1997-08) - Pelican Parts Technical Article

Thanks for the link. I tackled this yesterday evening. Hardest part, in my opinion, is the damn screws on the actuator. :matchup: Aside from that, easy-peasy and all done. Mental note: get ratcheting wrenches.

rivets
 

Remove the center pin as it acts as a wedge then the main body of the fixing slides out.
to replace push in outer part then push in center peg

Twist the rivet center pins
 

I broke the first rivet I tried to remove by prying too hard, even using the proper tool. I could get the pin out partially and then it jammed. I found that gripping both the male and female halves with needle nose and/or regular pliers and twisting just the male piece back and forth while pulling worked best. Didn't break any of the others that way.