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Thanks, 2000Aero, but I have to say, re these particular push-pin connectors, holding up the underdash formed panel above driver's knees on my '96 9000 CS, they are absolutely as I described them.
I tried first pushing them in, using a small allen wrench, smaller in OD than the pin's head, and pushed as hard as I possibly could. Nothing budged at all, and I tried on more than one of them. I had great position, and applied a lot of force. Though I "knew" they pushed in to release, it was plain pushing wasn't the answer.
Only then did I break one out, using an "upholstery tool" forked prying device. I studied it pretty close and I've just looked at the others that I got out intact.
The five connectors on that felt panel have prongs that split four ways, and a center pin that is shaped kinda like an ICBM, with four ribs and a center shank that is thin, then cone-shaped, then thin again.
It can only push in till flush, there's nowhere for it to go further in, and there are physical stops that it runs into.
As I said, get in alongside the head by sticking a tiny jeweler screwdriver into the tiny slot, then pry it out - - about 3/l6" I'd say - - and the prongs release and drop to original diameter and you can pry the fastener out without damaging it.
Put a good bright drop light down under there so you can see well enough.
There are varieties of these sort of fasteners that work as you say, including one I dealt with the other day attaching the rear door's latch works to the inner door tin. That one has a smooth pin that pushes all the way through and that releases the prongs.
And I've seen a similar one on the plastic panel that covers the driver-side mirror mount on classic 900s; push the pin into the door interior to get it off.
But the ones I dealt with are as I describe, at least on my particular car. And I didn't see anything down there to show it had ever been apart before, so I think these were Saab originals. Maybe they did it differently on other years or at different times during '96 even. But that's what I found.
I'm going to use a razor knife to carve a little notch in the side of the center hole of the fasteners, before reinstalling them, so I can stick a screwdriver in easier and deeper if I go to ever remove them again.
posted by 71.241.19...
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