Loose fender vent trim?

[MajorTom]

The fender (fake) vent trim pieces on both sides of my car sit a bit loose. One one side I can move the trim piece about a millimeter upwards and on the other side about one millimieter outwards. They don't move more than that so I guess they still are properly clipped in (according to the workshop manual they're just clipped) but it's still a bit odd that they move that much and basically rattle or squeak if you prod them in the right place. I'm thinking of wedging in some rubbery tape or something behind them to stop the movement.

Any idea if it's normal that these pieces are a bit loose like mine?

 

[RPSN]

There’s also some slight movement in mine if I prod them in the right place. It doesn’t concern me though as they appear to be properly fitted.

Have you tried pushing them in a bit to see if it makes any difference?

 

[MajorTom]

Thanks for confirming. I guess it's normal then. Yes I tried pushing them in. They do appear to be properly fitted and there doesn't seem to be any risk of them falling off. I guess the clips are just a bit too loose.

 

[cj10jeeper]

Thanks for confirming. I guess it's normal then. Yes I tried pushing them in. They do appear to be properly fitted and there doesn't seem to be any risk of them falling off. I guess the clips are just a bit too loose.

I’m sure they are designed to move a little given where they are located to allow for expansion whist avoiding abrasion on other panels. There’s no chance of them coming out as they are so well secured you feel you’ll bend the metal bodywork. I know as I swapped mine out.

 

[RPSN]

Thanks for confirming. I guess it's normal then. Yes I tried pushing them in. They do appear to be properly fitted and there doesn't seem to be any risk of them falling off. I guess the clips are just a bit too loose.

I’ve been out to the car this morning and double checked the fender vent trims. As I mentioned earlier, there’s some slight movement if I prod them in the right place e.g. the front end of them. However, there’s no rattle or squeak coming from them when I do so.

I know that you’ve tried pushing them in but try it again with a bit more hand pressure (not on the grill area) to see if the retaining clips go in a bit further?

If you ever needed to get at the rear of the trims or remove them, have a read through this thread https://www.ftypeforums.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=6608 where member ‘Natben’ says this...

I changed my side vents from chrome to black. Easy to do and took about 25 mins each side. Open the bonnet, remove rubber cover above vents one screw one Alan Key. Remove the 3 bolts above the vent and two from the door side . Open the door and the two bolts will be visible. Pull the wing forward and get your hands in the back and unclip the vent. Replace with the black one and put the bolts back in.

 

[MajorTom]

Gave them a good push and they're not going in any further and do seem to be properly fitted. Good point about that they're probably designed to sit a bit loosely.

The way they sit and potentially rattle against the fender apron they are clipped to just feels a bit cheap. Feels like the clips should have had some rubber washers between the "vents" and the fender apron. I thought that they could be an unnecessary source of exterior rattles when the engine is running and the car is vibrating but in all fairness I think any such rattle would drown in all the other noises the engine and auxiliary bits make.

That said all seems to be in order and I'll leave them as they are.