Removing fender
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Joined: Dec 2000
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Removing fender
Due to severe cancer on the front fenders of my '80 Bronco, I want to replace rather than repair the front fenders.
The shop manual I have makes it seem as if it is an easy job, however, it indicates a bolt in the upper rear corner of the fender under the lower corners of the windshield that looks as if it has to be removed from inside the passenger compartment. Having had some bad experiences before with sailing into a job and then getting stuck halfway through, I wanted to check this out before I start removing bolts.
How tough is it to rmeve and replace the front fenders?
Also, how does one tell whether repalcement fenders are good quality? I see a range of prices in catalogs and online.
Thanks guys.
The shop manual I have makes it seem as if it is an easy job, however, it indicates a bolt in the upper rear corner of the fender under the lower corners of the windshield that looks as if it has to be removed from inside the passenger compartment. Having had some bad experiences before with sailing into a job and then getting stuck halfway through, I wanted to check this out before I start removing bolts.
How tough is it to rmeve and replace the front fenders?
Also, how does one tell whether repalcement fenders are good quality? I see a range of prices in catalogs and online.
Thanks guys.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,987
Likes: 7
From: Memphis, TN
Removing fender
There's no fender bolt there - it's in the door jamb just above the lower hinge, and it's pretty easy to get to. There's that one, the one on the bottom rear (in a hole in the back edge of the wheelwell), the 2 near the hood hinge, the 4 at the core support, the 2 at the bumper valance (the thin painted piece between the bumper & grille), the 1 or 2 in the top of the wheelwell, and all the little ones around the lip of the wheelwell.
The hardest ones are for the bumper valance.
The job isn't that bad, but you have to align the door to the body (using the hinge bolts & the latch strike bolt), then align the fender to the door & hood (assuming the hood is good to begin with). It's easy to align the door with the fender off.
Check Ford's price - when I bought one several years ago, the local dealer was cheaper than the junkyards. Remember to consider the cost of prepping a used fender before painting.
The hardest ones are for the bumper valance.
The job isn't that bad, but you have to align the door to the body (using the hinge bolts & the latch strike bolt), then align the fender to the door & hood (assuming the hood is good to begin with). It's easy to align the door with the fender off.
Check Ford's price - when I bought one several years ago, the local dealer was cheaper than the junkyards. Remember to consider the cost of prepping a used fender before painting.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,987
Likes: 7
From: Memphis, TN
Removing fender
No. I just meant that it's a good idea to align the door while you have the fender off. It'll never be easier. Check the hinges for wear before aligning it - they're easy to swap or repair.
