Fender Flare Removal Procedure

[Imagery]

I know this has been discussed before but I can't seem to find where. I am wanting to repaint my fender flares and after wet sanding them, I began to think about just removing them and spraying them off the vehicle. I wonder what tool I would need in order to properly remove the flares while leaving everything intact for reinstallation. On the front fenders, I see a 10mm bolt at the front but that is the only visible fastener. Will I need to remove the wheel wells to be able to gain access to the back side of the fenders, or are thjere just clips holding the flares in place? I don't want to have to try and remove the flares from clips without knowing exactly what type clips are used and what tool should be used. I hope to not damage the clips if possible and if this is not possible, then would I need to order new OEM clips from dealer?

Please point me in the right direction and offer any advice.

ML

 

[NorCalDoug]

Just some plastic clips and a few nuts.

 

[brianinaustin]

Read up on it in the FSM. It tells you where all the nuts are, but you don't have to remove as many components as it says.

 

[tucker74]

Yep - on the front you can reach in the "hole" in the inner fender and remove the bolts. The rear requires removing the door panel and rear cargo panels ...

Tucker

 

[e9999]

on a side note, what are the legalities of driving without flares?

(mmmm..... thinking about some appealing prospects.....)

 

[brianinaustin]

on a side note, what are the legalities of driving without flares?

I've heard that mentioned before... I think it's regional.

 

[convert]

Originally Posted by e9999
on a side note, what are the legalities of driving without flares?

No problems in colorado been without mine for months

 

[Land Speeder]

I don't think there is any legal issues with not having flares since some came with them in the first place. Now mud flaps are a different beast.
As long as your tires don't stick out too far, you can be flareless. Of course if your tires stick out too far then you won't be able to tuck them into the fender well when flexing. I ran into this problem with 10" rims once, but that was becuase the back spacing and offset was not correct for the 80 series.

 

[Darwood]

I found that the front nuts for the front flares were easier to get to if I removed the front corner lights, and reached in through the light recesses. The rear nuts I was able to get to through the inner fender access holes. I think there were only 2 nuts per flare. Then again I seem to remember 3. The rest is clips which are removed as displayed in the FSM. Just pry them off with a screw driver and make sure you pry against the plastic inserts.