Adjusting Front Fender Forward

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Nov 28, 2009 | 12:29 PM

mprice

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From: Chicagoland

Adjusting Front Fender Forward

When I bought my '96 Bronco the passenger's side door didn't seal at the top. I figured it was bent but when I started looking at it I found that the PO (I hope there's a special place in hell for POs) had adjusted the hinges so it would clear the front fender when it opened. It doesn't clear because the front fender on the passenger side is about 1/2 inch too far back. Looking at the driver's side the windshield frame is even with the top rear corner of the fender but on the other side the top rear corner actually is rubbing the paint off of the A pillar.

I looked in both the Chiltons and Ford manuals but neither one has very good info unless I'm trying to do a complete frame-off restoration. Can someone tell me what bolts I need to loosen so I can just slide that panel forward?

Nov 28, 2009 | 04:40 PM

rbloodhound

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From: Crowville Louisiana

Sound like it has been crashed in it's past.

you should be able to loosen all of the fender bolts and adjust it that way.

Nov 30, 2009 | 12:45 PM

mprice

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From: Chicagoland

Yup, I'm just not sure exactly which ones. I've removed the two up close to the windshield, loosened the four at the front corner and the one down at the bottom rearward from the tire. I think I also need to take out the battery tray and remove the one that is the lower hood pivot. I'm tempted to just take it to a body shop for an estimate.

Dec 3, 2009 | 04:57 PM

04redstroker

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cant remember where all the bolts are at, but it is very easy. And BTW a paint mixing stick seems to be the perfect thickness for setting the gap.

Dec 4, 2009 | 08:54 AM

mprice

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From: Chicagoland

Quote:

Originally Posted by 04redstroker

cant remember where all the bolts are at, but it is very easy. And BTW a paint mixing stick seems to be the perfect thickness for setting the gap.

Great idea, I'll try that. I think what I was missing was taking out the battery tray. I haven't had time to get back to that part of the project but I was able to make more sense out of the factory manuals in the mean time.

This weekend I should be able to get it sorted out.

Dec 6, 2009 | 08:52 AM

MustangEd

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I believe there is also a fender bolt that is accessed thru the
gap in front of the door when the door is open. I know there
is a bolt there on the older models of the same body style.

Dec 7, 2009 | 10:09 AM

mprice

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From: Chicagoland

I fussed with it some Saturday but still couldn't figure out what I was missing on the front end. It was free except for up by the lights. Anyway, I put a bottle jack on the inside to use as a ram and pushed the whole thing forward about .5" and bolted it back down. Now it's got a little preload but who cares. Thanks all for your help.