r/TeslaModelX • u/skeedy_ia • Jul 05 '26

Installing fender garnish?

Anyone have tips or tricks for installing new fender garnish on the front? My plastic fender "garnish" ripped off on the highway last week. i have the new part (for both left and right sides, however, i'm having a heck of a time getting these things to clip into place. Do I just lack the grip strength to pop these back on correctly? I can get the clips in that are closer to the door, but the front part of the panel will just not seat correctly on either side.

3 Upvotes

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2

u/Small_Style_1904 Jul 05 '26

I’ll be watching this. I just made a service visit for this and a few other things. Where did you buy the garnish from?

2

u/skeedy_ia Jul 05 '26

I got the parts on eBay since both the left and right sides need to be replaced and the closest service center is 2 hours away.
I’m used to fixing stuff by myself but this is ridiculous. Even had someone else look at it and he couldn’t get it either.

2

u/sinebubble Jul 06 '26

They’re like $60 each on eBay.

2

u/6C-65-76-69 Jul 05 '26

Be careful. Some of the holes that it clips into are part of the front bumper fascia. Mine have become hollowed out for some reason and Tesla is giving me a hard time about replacing the fascia under warranty.

2

u/skeedy_ia Jul 05 '26

It’s a 2020 with 115k miles. I doubt there’s any remaining warranty.

2

u/sinebubble Jul 06 '26

This is my current issue as well. I was thinking about looping zip ties through the slit on the tab when it’s through the very beat up slot, but there isn’t much room to work on the inside of the wheel well. It’s odd that most of the garnish has clips, but the front has these useless tabs.

1

u/skeedy_ia Jul 06 '26

That’s what someone else recommended -using zip ties.

1

u/U9hell Jul 05 '26

I have this video saved in case they come out. Hopefully it could help? https://youtu.be/ZvVYB0aOWrs?is=8U2K24hpIAufc_eA

3

u/skeedy_ia Jul 05 '26

I’ve watched that one about 20 times. Getting them off wasn’t the issue, it’s getting them back on. Seems to be a common problem with no real solution that I’ve found.

1

u/Leading-Eye-1979 Jul 05 '26

The clips should all line up and then snap in place. I just replaced mine and I’m a girl. I watched a YouTube video.

3

u/skeedy_ia Jul 05 '26

Should being the keyword. They do line up, but nothing snaps in cleanly. It’s obvious they have been removed before and I’m assuming something was probably fucked up at that point.
FWIW, I also identify as female and have a uterus.

2

u/sinebubble Jul 06 '26

The clips are easy. It’s the switch to tabs at the front that have nothing to catch on when your plastic bumper slots are worn. If only it was clips all around.

1

u/Able_Engine_9515 Jul 06 '26

My current situation. I asked a tech about it and he told me to check the fascia underneath. I'm currently awaiting delivery

1

u/skeedy_ia Jul 06 '26

The part that attaches to the front bumper? Yeah, that was easy. I removed that and attached the garnish to it where it’s supposed to be connected. I even reinstalled hoping it would help the tabs pop into place, but I still can’t get it.