Removal of deflector in rear wheel arch

[MartinJG]

I want to remove the rubber deflectors in the rear wheel arches to check the condition underneath and treat the metal with Dinitrol if necessary. I call them 'deflectors' because I cannot think of any other purpose they serve other than a trap for dirt and moisture. Do the little round caps simply prize off? They seem quite flimsy so I don't want to damage anything. Any help on this appreciated. Thanks all.

[Lord Voltermore]

Plastic fixings , used here and on other for other fixings such as engine undertrays,  are quite prone to breaking on removal. There is a fair chance you will break at least one.

Its a good idea to obtain some replacements of the correct type before starting the job ,rather than have the car unusable, or not fully secured ,until you can get some.    Sods law if you have replacements you wont break any, but its not a bad idea fitting some new ones rather than reusing  old mangled ones.

Unfortunately genuine Honda replacments may be quite expensive for what they are  but you can probably find compatible aftermarket ones much cheaper.

[Keekster71]

I want to remove the rubber deflectors in the rear wheel arches to check the condition underneath and treat the metal with Dinitrol if necessary. I call them 'deflectors' because I cannot think of any other purpose they serve other than a trap for dirt and moisture. Do the little round caps simply prize off? They seem quite flimsy so I don't want to damage anything. Any help on this appreciated. Thanks all.

I remove the plastic expanding clip in the wheel arch using a proper tool and bend the plastic down and clean out the salt.  They are a terrible rust trap but I reapply some wax based underseal every spring after the winter.  The Honda clips have metal inserts, so the tend to put up a fight and its easy to break them.  However, you can replace them with cheap amazon ones every time you do the job.  Off the top of my head I think they are either an 8mm or 10mm size clip.  If you break it it wont matter if it takes a few days for you to order a suitably sized clip.  I also recommend reaching up into the arch and cleaning around the  petrol flap and applying some underseal there too.  It is a terrible rust trap.