I am trying to remove the engine cover on the passenger side of the engine bay so that I can access the power steering fluid reservoir. What is the procedure for removing the plastic clips, rivets or whatever they are and also how do you reinstall them? This is a hair brained design if I ever saw one!

 

I lifted this from the GS forum so the location and panel being removed is different however the procedure and pics regarding the funky clips is the same. It is quite easy once you understand how the clips work.

Ok, if you ever need to remove the engine cover for any reason (ie. bulb replacement) here's how.

1) remove pop clips from front center cover (5 rear clips and 3 front)

Heres how:
Press down on the center of the clip (the head) and it will click down. Then pull the entire clip out:




2) Repeat the same for drivers side cover (2 rear clips and 1 front)
3) Repeat the same for passenger side cover (1 rear clip and 1 front)
*** Passenger side has 1 extra screw clip located near the dipstick***





All three covers should come right off.
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In order to re-install everything, you must re-prep all the pop clips to be inserted. Here's how:







After prepping the rivets, re-install side covers first. Keep in mind passenger side has that screw rivet. (refer to pic above to install). Install front cover last. To insert the pop clip, insert them back into the hole and press down on the head until it clicks once. if it clicks twice, you have pressed too hard and need to pull them out and re-prep them.

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Great pictures ! it helps a lot.

 

The RX330 had different clips on different years. I had the screw type which sucked. I remove the screws and kept the claws. They still hold the cover down.

 

would make the contractors of clips and retainers happy, but not the consumers like you and me.

 

I have had 2 RX's now & have never seen a need to add PS fluid.
Did u have a leak of some kind?

Even when I had other cars back in the day I never remember adding PS fluid even though I checked it because it was easy to get to.

 

I do a drain (more of sucking out) and fill every oil change.

 

No the PS level does not drop if there is no leak.

 

when i bought my rx last october,i pulled that stupid cover off and noticed my steering fluid was low.tells me the lexus service dept.probably never checked under their.

 

Now u have me wondering, I am going to take a look at mine just to be sure.

 

Yep,let us know.

 

Does anyone know where I can buy a replacement plastic clip / rivet thingy that holds the cover over the power steering fluid for the Lexus RX 330? I broke one of mine trying to put it back in. Thanks.

 

It was OK, don't know why this just popped up on my screen, seems kind of old.

 

You can buy them from Lexus, if you want to pay a dollar a clip. You can simply go to the parts house and purchase push "clips" which are cheap and you will not care if you ever break them. I've got a box of them in case I break the ones on there now. They are usually black and look OEM regardless of the actual "clip" that inserts.

 

Just go to the parts department at the dealer and ask. They may just give you one.