My wife and I bought a 2023 Mazda CX-50 Turbo Premium a couple years ago now. While we like it, there have been a number of things that have gone wrong with it, specifically with things related to fit and finish in the interior. One of the things that has driven us nuts is the driver's seat, specifically the side trim that houses the seat controls continuously popping off. Neither the dealer nor Mazda will cover it under warranty (I was told that interior stuff isn't covered after 12,000mi) , so I'm on my own to fix it.
The trim is held in on the front and back by snaps that press into the seat frame, but the problem is how it's held to the seat in the middle of the trim.
The hole in the center of this picture usually has a push pin in it. That push pin looks like this:
The 2nd layer of that pin slides into the plastic extension you see in the pic, and that's what holds it to the frame. But when you get in and out of the car, the force of the bolster is right on top of that, so it flexes and snaps the push pin. And when that snaps, it wants to snap the mounting points in the front of the trim as well.
I hit up all the local auto parts stores for a replacement clip, but they don't have anything close. And worse yet, Mazda won't sell you the pin unless you buy the entire side trim, as it comes only with that. I've now purchased 3 of these kits at $30/pop just to get that dumb push pin.
There HAS to be something out there in the automotive world that's both stronger and close enough in design that I can buy in bulk without having to buy that entire kit, and that's where I need help.
Some additional pics:
If someone can find something that works, you won't just be helping me, you'll be helping ALL Mazda CX-50 owners, since many of us are dealing with this. Mazda so far has been less than helpful, which is really unfortunate. Thanks!
I've had luck with this kit I got from Amazon. I don't see an exact match to the pin you are showing, but maybe you could get one of them to work with some jerry-rigging or maybe there's another kit out there that's better suited.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MEHSLZT?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title
My local Lowes has a bunch of automotive clips in the specialty hardware section. I have not looked through them to know if there is anything like what you are looking for but it might be worth a shot.
Trent
UltimaDork
9/6/24 9:35 a.m.
Time to spend some time scouring the Auveco catalog
It is in there and likely in a box of 20 for $5
iansane
SuperDork
9/6/24 10:24 a.m.
If it's stronger, isn't it going to just tear out the mounting tabs on that plastic panel?
In reply to iansane :
I think it can stand to be quite a bit stronger without having an impact on the trim panel. The center support is pretty strong, and would take a lot of effort to snap it off. One of the parts guys at the dealer that I've been working with mentioned that I could probably cobble together a nut/bolt/washer situation as a fix, but doing so would require me to pull the entire seat to get access to the underside, and I really don't want to do that if I can help it.
I have the set Colin recommended. It's worth keeping on hand.
I have also bought them at Lowes in their specialty fasteners drawers which Chris recommended.
In reply to Colin Wood :
I have a bunch of fasteners like that in stock in my garage, and none of them will do the trick unfortunately. The problem is the way they fit the seat frame. It has to have the two "wings" on the pin to stay in the hole. The ribbed ones just fall out, and the screw-in ones won't stay put.
Trent
UltimaDork
9/6/24 10:43 a.m.
Turns out you can search for a manufacturer and then filter the search based on measurements.
Mazda on Auveco
then look for the part number on eBay or Jeff's site.
Looks like a box of clips is almost $20 these days
I prefer this style clip with the multiple circles to hold it in. Those circles tend to flex more and not break.
Stampie said:
I prefer this style clip with the multiple circles to hold it in. Those circles tend to flex more and not break.
I have a love/hate relationship with these things. I can never remove them without destroying them ... so I agree with Stampie, far superior. Try one.
The center is solid instead of hollow, I can see how they'd be stronger.
Slippery said:
Stampie said:
I prefer this style clip with the multiple circles to hold it in. Those circles tend to flex more and not break.
I have a love/hate relationship with these things. I can never remove them without destroying them ... so I agree with Stampie, far superior. Try one.
That's what I tried first. Actually, I tried a variety of these. None would stay in the seat frame and they kept falling out. There needs to be something that anchors the pin to the inside of the frame. The original pin pushes through and then anchors itself with two little "wings" that prevent it from falling out.
