Ok I searched not only on this site but on the inter-webs as well as my FSM for fender removal and I can not find a "how-to". The FSM pretty much covers all body related removal except for the fenders. Is it because it is so simple? What am I missing?
Fender removal
- Thread starter Daskoff
- Start date
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I pulled my driver side fender this weekend to replace the driver door upper hinge. It is a pretty simple process. I couldn't find any info regarding the process either, online or in FSM.
1. Drop fender liner. It is held in place with several plastic fasteners, the kind with a center button that needs to be pulled out. I broke 4 of these. You will also need to loosen or remove the windshield washer fluid tank guard.
2. Remove bumper cover. It is held in place with two vertical screws into each fender, 5 or 6 bolts along the bottom and 3 more plastic push button fasteners along the grill. Don't forget to unplug the fog lights.
3. Remove side marker lamp.
4. Drill out two rivets. One is vertical next to the headlight and the other is horizontal under the headlight. I used 3/16" rivets to reinstall.
5. Make two alignment marks under the hood for the fender. This will help during assembly. I used a fine sharpie to make crosshair alignment marks, one at the front and one near the hood hinge.
6. Unbolt the fender. Don't miss the bolt inside the door jamb near the upper hinge. You will need to open to door to access this one.
Lots of dirt build up will be in there. Give the inside of the fender a good wash. Reinstall in reverse order. Gaps look good thanks to the alignment marks I left.
1. Drop fender liner. It is held in place with several plastic fasteners, the kind with a center button that needs to be pulled out. I broke 4 of these. You will also need to loosen or remove the windshield washer fluid tank guard.
2. Remove bumper cover. It is held in place with two vertical screws into each fender, 5 or 6 bolts along the bottom and 3 more plastic push button fasteners along the grill. Don't forget to unplug the fog lights.
3. Remove side marker lamp.
4. Drill out two rivets. One is vertical next to the headlight and the other is horizontal under the headlight. I used 3/16" rivets to reinstall.
5. Make two alignment marks under the hood for the fender. This will help during assembly. I used a fine sharpie to make crosshair alignment marks, one at the front and one near the hood hinge.
6. Unbolt the fender. Don't miss the bolt inside the door jamb near the upper hinge. You will need to open to door to access this one.
Lots of dirt build up will be in there. Give the inside of the fender a good wash. Reinstall in reverse order. Gaps look good thanks to the alignment marks I left.
This is a life saver and deserves more likes. With all the sagging door hinge issues.
Life saver for me too.
Reasons why im curious to keep it relevant.
I notice a creaking/popping sound when at a stop, then creeping forward, then stopping again (every time). Noise can be heard and maybe even felt behind my dead-pedal.
I noticed that this has to do with slight up/down motion by replicating it in my garage by push/pulling the front of my left slider up and down slightly. I have a mechanics stethoscope and stuck the probe behind the fender liner and close to where the dead-pedal would be located (on the other side of the firewall) while slightly replicating the creaking/popping noise.
I ordered a bunch of fasteners (inner fender clips) as a bunch of them are missing and the outer ones are loose and will not set back in correctly...
Today i was pushing the fender itself up and down instead of the slider... I noticed that the fender had play in it (comparing it to the door which remains stationary)... The other sides fender does not have play... The truck is rust free (california truck its entire life) and i believe that the whole fender is loose from a prior owners body shop work.
While i redo the fender liner fasteners, im going to check the bolts (as well as cleaning out the drains where the sunroof drains and putting down some new fluid film in there).
Thank you again @87warrior for posting all the info with pictures.
Reasons why im curious to keep it relevant.
I notice a creaking/popping sound when at a stop, then creeping forward, then stopping again (every time). Noise can be heard and maybe even felt behind my dead-pedal.
I noticed that this has to do with slight up/down motion by replicating it in my garage by push/pulling the front of my left slider up and down slightly. I have a mechanics stethoscope and stuck the probe behind the fender liner and close to where the dead-pedal would be located (on the other side of the firewall) while slightly replicating the creaking/popping noise.
I ordered a bunch of fasteners (inner fender clips) as a bunch of them are missing and the outer ones are loose and will not set back in correctly...
Today i was pushing the fender itself up and down instead of the slider... I noticed that the fender had play in it (comparing it to the door which remains stationary)... The other sides fender does not have play... The truck is rust free (california truck its entire life) and i believe that the whole fender is loose from a prior owners body shop work.
While i redo the fender liner fasteners, im going to check the bolts (as well as cleaning out the drains where the sunroof drains and putting down some new fluid film in there).
Thank you again @87warrior for posting all the info with pictures.
The door hinges are bolted on and can be ordered from Toyota. The replacement hinge from Toyota is painted black instead of body color, but I found this to be a non issue since it is hidden when the fender is back on.
cclyons
SILVER Star
@87warrior Thank you for sharing this! I'm about to do this myself... Probably a dumb question, but how exactly did you utilize the two alignment marks you made under the hood?
When reinstalling the fender, position the fender so that the alignment marks line up. I made an alignment marks towards the front of the fender and towards the rear. Since there is some wiggle in the bolt holes, lining up the marks will put the fender back in the exact spot it was before the first time.
cclyons
SILVER Star
My mistake...
I'm replacing my fender, unfortunately...I missed the fact that you were REINSTALLING... Sorry for the trouble, and thank you for the helpful tips shared!
I have a Side Step on mine. So I watched this video: to figure out how to remove the side step since my fender wouldn't come off. Now I am thinking I need to take it off. I cant figure out why the lower trim is holding on the fender.
@87warrior . Any tips for removing the black plastic fender liner that is directly behind the tire and at the front of the rocker panel? I'd mainly like to open just the bottom part up so I can hose the debris out but can't figure out how to get the plastic screw nut to pop out of the body.....it's the nut plug where the side step attaches inside the fender well.
I tend to forget some people still have the steps installed. If I remember correctly, there is a bolt at the bottom of the fender that needs removed. I am sure that bolt is hidden by the step cladding and would most certainly prevent the fender from coming off. Don't forget about the bolt inside the door jamb near the upper hinge. You need to open to door to access this one.
Do you have a picture? I am having a hard time recalling how the fender liner attached near the rocker. It is possible I had removed that piece when I removed the side step many years ago.