Abstract: A retaining wing can be hingedly coupled to an outer surface of each of two legs along a hinge line. The retaining wing can include a leading edge facing toward, and a trailing edge facing away from, the distal end of the legs, and together with the hinge line can define a substantially triangular shape. When a screw is not present in the screw passage, engagement of the trailing edge against one of the automobile components can operate to direct a servicing removal force applied through the base inwardly on the wings causing the wings to flex inwardly and permit removal of the screw grommet from the aperture without damaging any of the components or requiring a separate inwardly directed force to be directly applied to the wings. An associated method is also provided.

Abstract: A pin and grommet fastener is assembled into a shipping configuration in which the pin is retained in a first position relative to the grommet with longitudinally extending leg members of the grommet in an unexpanded state. Cooperating members are provided on the pin and the grommet to engage each other in a locking configuration in which the pin is retained in a second position relative to the grommet causing the longitudinally extending leg members to be in a laterally expanded state. A driving member is provided on the pin to engage a periphery of an aperture of a joining part to cause the joining part to automatically drive the pin from the first position to the second position simultaneously with the insertion of the assembled pin and grommet into the aperture of the joining part.

Abstract: A retaining wing can be hingedly coupled to an outer surface of each of two legs along a hinge line. The retaining wing can include a leading edge facing toward, and a trailing edge facing away from, the distal end of the legs, and together with the hinge line can define a substantially triangular shape. When a screw is not present in the screw passage, engagement of the trailing edge against one of the automobile components can operate to direct a servicing removal force applied through the base inwardly on the wings causing the wings to flex inwardly and permit removal of the screw grommet from the aperture without damaging any of the components or requiring a separate inwardly directed force to be directly applied to the wings. An associated method is also provided.

Abstract: A pin and grommet fastener is assembled into a shipping configuration in which the pin is retained in a first position relative to the grommet with longitudinally extending leg members of the grommet in an unexpanded state. Cooperating members are provided on the pin and the grommet to engage each other in a locking configuration in which the pin is retained in a second position relative to the grommet causing the longitudinally extending leg members to be in a laterally expanded state. A driving member is provided on the pin to engage a periphery of an aperture of a joining part to cause the joining part to automatically drive the pin from the first position to the second position simultaneously with the insertion of the assembled pin and grommet into the aperture of the joining part.