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I took the radiator support out some time ago to paint the engine compartment but I cant seem to get it back in. Its a real bear, is there a trick to installed them with the fenders on?
I took the radiator support out some time ago to paint the engine compartment but I cant seem to get it back in. Its a real bear, is there a trick to installed them with the fenders on?
Since the entire front end is suported by the core support, how did you get it out without your fenders dropping, unless they are resting on the frame horns. Just had mine apart, had the opposite problem, tool much gap. The three bolts go though the fender support, inner fender then into the core support. You may have to jack your front fenders up in the front to get it all lined back up. Good luck.
The fenders are fixed to the frame horns and other items. The right fender has a shock cover that his the frame. Front clip isnt going anywhere without the core support but I will give the jacking up on the fenders a try.
I'd like to see a picture of the whole situation if you have the opportunity to post some pics it would really help. Your front clip should not be attached to anything except your core support, that allows everything to flex and that is how the truck was designed. again good luck.
From my experiences messing with these front clips this will probably be more than a one man job as it might take a couple of buddies to gently pull the tops of the fenders away from each other. Maybe it will flex enough for you to slip the radiator support back into place.
With a little bit of luck and some patience you can probably slip it back in there.
Good luck
"can't get it back in..." is a rather nebulous description of the issue. Do you mean you can't get it to go between the inner fender panels, you can't get the spring mounts in place, you can't get the bolt holes to line up? As said the front clip should not be attached to the frame any place, if it is, that is likely the issue. The clip should be installed after the radiator support is in place and squared to the cowl, not the other way around. If the inner fenders are bolted to the fender braces, then those bolts could also be the problem, the fender braces should be bolted to the radiator support while clamping the inner fender panels in between. Maybe this will help:
10-01-2014, 10:26 PM
