Automotive Clip Replacement

Overview

My Subaru was missing a few body panel retaining clips and I had the bright idea: why not print my own. After doing some searching for existing models, I found a few but wasn't entirely happy with the couple options I test printed, particularly with their strength and tolerances. With this experience in mind, I jumped into Onshape and drew these up to address the issues I had experienced with these previous attempts and a few prototypes later had the design which I present before you today!

These are modeled after the stock Subaru body panel clips: 909130067 - Fender Liner Retainer. Floor Pan Splash Shield Clip - Genuine Subaru Part

Variants

I drew up two clip diameters (7mm and 8mm) because those were the two I needed to replace on my Subaru. Additionally, there is a “short” and “long” version of each model.

I estimate that “short” can fit on panels up to around 5mm total thickness. I used this to attach body panels to splash guards and similar. “Long” is 5mm longer than “short,” so up to 10mm is probably a good estimate there.

For each variant there is a unique “base” and “pin” file, so make sure you download/print a matching pair!

Directions

Source Files

I drew this up in Onshape. I'm fairly new to that particular program so it's parameterized very poorly and I basically have a completely separate file for each variant. 

8mm clip source file
7mm clip source file

Printing

The pin can be printed upright, just like you'd expect. No supports required.

The base is more difficult. I recommend printing these sideways for maximum strength along the bending axis. This makes for more challenging supports, but much stronger clips. 

I also advise extra perimeters to make the base component solid and then set infill to zero.

Supports

My recommendations:

• The gaps between the parts are too small to really benefit from organic supports; normal grid/snug supports provide much better support. Just trim in between the pins with an x-acto knife or razor blade to separate the supports from the object. 

• Use paint on supports on the bottom of the pin faces as shown (up to 45 degrees). See provided 3mf files for paint-on support example.