Snap to it!

Finished replacing the rear shock absorbers on my wife's 99 Blazer 2wd and will soon start on the fronts. In the rear I can easily slide underneath with my creeper to remove what I need to, but in the front I realize that I may need to remove the covering in the front wheel well to easily have access to it. Looks like it is the same as the backs, and they look like clips or something similar when you attach some interior parts. Once I pop them out, I may break them as they don't look like fasteners and bolts, but a cheap plastic piece. Has anyone every removed them??? What are they called and where can I pick up replacements?? (Since I have the experts reading in on this, what else would you recommend to hold the shock stem so as to remove and replace the top fastener??) Thanks guys.....

The easiest and fastest way to remove the upper shock mount is to break the shock shaft bolt. Raise the front wheels off the ground and use jack stands on the frame. Through the wheel opening, use a 9/16" deep socket and a long handle ratchet on the upper shock nut. Might need to slide a short piece of pipe over the ratchet handle to gain leverage. Removing the wheel will give you more room, but it's not necessary. Rock the ratchet back and forth until the shock shaft breaks off. Usually takes 5 or 6 times... maybe 30 seconds! The lower attaching bolts are 13mm and usually come right out. Might want to soak them with penetrating oil first to be sure. Once you have the vehicle jacked up, total replacement time is about 20 minutes.

As for the plastic fasteners for the inner fender/splash apron, they are probably push-pin rivets. They can be removed by pulling the center pin partway out then removing the body of the fastener. It helps if they are clean, since grit and dust make it more difficult to slide the center lock/wedge pin out. Replacements are available in many parts stores, like NAPA or CarQuest, or you can get them from the dealership at a higher cost.