What's with my fenders?

[Surveyorsteve]

My 78 fj40 (General model) is undergoing a strip down restoration. Two things before I get started. The papers say it's a 78 but looks to me like it's a conglomeration. 2nd, it may not be a strip down unless I can figure out how to get the fenders off.

Is the fender welded to the support somewhere? If it is I can't see it. Taking off the support does't seem to be an option as it is through bolted to the chassis and it seems to be impossible to get a standard wrench or socket in through the hole in the chassis to the bolt heads. The left side looks as the the support was cut and then welded back together.

This is a tuffy for me. Any ideas short of a cutting torch?

Steven

 

[RolandFJ40]

Pics would help

 

[thebigredrocker]

If I am understanding your question correctly, you should have 4 bolts to remove the support. The nuts should be welded to the inside of the frame. My bolts are 12mm heads. Most likley rust has "fused" those 4 bolts. Best way I've found to remove bolts without breakage, is heat the piss out of them with a torch.

 

[Surveyorsteve]

Thanks. That's what I thought I should see. Dang. I see nuts and the bold heads are inside the channel and they spin. It may be time to sharpen the drill bit and drill them out and hopefully spot weld a nut or bolt inside.

 

[thebigredrocker]

So your nuts aren't tack welded to the frame? If your nuts don't have weld splatter on them, I would think you could get a boxed-end wrench in there.

Or did all your tack welds not hold? I would think you could get some small vice grips in there. You'll no doubt need to heat those nuts till they glow bright RED.

Do you have access to a hand grinder with a cutoff wheel? I would think you could slice the bolt heads off. Perhaps finish off what you miss on the slice with a grinder attachment.

 

[Surveyorsteve]

No they are not tacked. The bolt heads are on the inside and the nuts are on the brace side. I've determined they have been changed. How in the heck they got tightened up I don't know. The only thing I can think of is possibly a crow foot, but I don't know if they even have them here.

 

[MOTOV8R]

Just use a wrench. Put it inside your frame then position it over the head of the bolt. When you start to turn the nut the wrench will wedge against the frame.

 

[Varty Yo]

Yup something will let go...

 

[peteinjp]

Just use a wrench. Put it inside your frame then position it over the head of the bolt. When you start to turn the nut the wrench will wedge against the frame.

If need be you might ba able to hold the wrench with a set of vice grips until you get it to slip into the bolt head. A wrench with a slightly angled head would be helpful.

Heat is still a good thing if it seems rusted or over tightened. Even a plumbers torch can make a big difference.

Pete

 

[Michael B]

I would set the wrench inside the frame and tighten the nut until the bolt breaks. It will be a much shorter journey!

 

[Surveyorsteve]

Yeah, I tried for a 1/2 hour to get the wrench on it sufficiently to hold it. Maybe I'll have to remove the motor mount to get a better angle. Thanks for your suggestions. I have a small butane torch that may put off enough heat.

 

[MOTOV8R]

There's always the grinder for the nut side. Be careful not to cut up the fender bracket.

 

[Surveyorsteve]

Driver side bolts were different that the passenger side and managed to finally get them off. There was a little space on that side too. The passenger side to the grinder but they are off.

Thanks all.

Now onto the front body mount bolts that won't budge and bolt heads are rounded.

 

[thebigredrocker]

Glad to hear you defeated the fender bolts.