How to Remove the Fender on Vehicles

by Contributing WriterUpdated June 12, 2017

If your Vehicles has been in a collision, or has sustained some cosmetic damage due to heavy off-roading, it is usually necessary to remove one of the fenders in order to make the necessary repairs. Removing the fender does not take any special tools or knowledge, but once the piece is removed it will be very heavy, so you may find it useful to have an extra pair of hands around to help you carry the fender.

Under The Hood:

 How to Remove the Fender on a GMC Sierra

Remove all screws holding the wheel well directly to the fender. There will be six Phillips-head screws attached along the wheel well.

Remove all bolts holding the fender to the cowl panel using the ratchet and turning counterclockwise. There are four bolts holding the two pieces together.

Remove all bolts attaching the rocker panel to the fender. The fender will be attached by three bolts, depending on the year of your GMC.

Open the truck door on the side where the fender will be removed. Remove all bolts on the pillar located inside the door jamb.

Lift the hood of the GMC. Remove the bolts attaching the radiator bracket to the fender. Use the socket and ratchet to remove the bolts from the fender.

Slide the fender straight off and pull to remove it from the truck.

Items you will need

  • Phillips-head screwdriver

  • Ratchet

  • Socket

 How to Remove the Fender Off of a 2002 Ford Explorer

Open the hood and remove the three screws around the blinker light, using a Phillips-head screwdriver. Remove the blinker light.

Remove the two bolts that are now exposed, using a socket wrench and an 8 mm socket.

Unscrew the three bolts along the top of the fender and the two bolts along the bottom, using a socket wrench and an 8 mm socket.

Open the Explorer's door and remove the two bolts at the front of the door jamb with an 8 mm socket and a socket wrench.

Remove the one bolt connecting the fender to the bumper with a socket wrench and an 8 mm socket.

Unbolt the single bolt inside of the fender, using a socket wrench and an 11 mm socket.

Unscrew the screw holding the fender lining to the fender with a Phillips-head screwdriver.

Remove the fender.

Items you will need

  • Phillips-head screwdriver

  • Socket wrench

  • 8 mm socket

  • 11 mm socket

 How to Remove the Fender on a Ford F-250

Lift up the hood and support it with a prop like a large stick. Remove the truck's support strut by detaching the retaining clips with a small screwdriver and sharply prying it out.

Take out the housings for the headlights and turn signals. Pull up the release clips for the headlights and disconnect the electrical connectors, then remove the mounting screws for the turn signal housing and slide it forward and out of the truck.

Disconnect the radiator grille. Remove the plastic trim panel on top of the assembly by removing its retainers, remove the four upper mounting screws, detach the lower half clips and pull it out.

Unscrew the screws for the splash shield in the fender well and remove it. Remove the running board if one is equipped.

Remove the bolts and retainers connecting the fender to the rocker panel and the radiator support, open the door and remove the door pillar bolts and then remove the upper bolts along the engine compartment edge. Most of these bolts require an Allen wrench.

Detach the fender and move it away from the truck. Have an assistant support the fender as you remove it to avoid damaging the truck's other panels.

Items you will need

  • Large stick

  • Screwdriver

  • Wrench

  • Allen wrench

 How to Remove a Fender From a 87 Chevy Pickup

Remove the lug nuts from the front right tire on the Chevy pickup using the tire iron. Lift the front right side of the truck using the floor jack, and rest the front end of the Chevy onto jack stands. Remove the front right tire from the frame.

Remove the screws on the wheel well cover on the inner and outer sides of the cover using the screwdriver. Pull the cover off the frame and out of the wheel well.

Remove the securing bolts from around the edge of the wheel well on the inside that are securing the fender to the frame, using the ratchet set. Disconnect the plastic locking pins inside the wheel well, using the screwdriver.

Remove the securing bolts from inside the engine compartment that are securing the upper fender to the frame using the ratchet set. Lift up on the fender and pull outward to remove the fender from the frame of the Chevy.

Repeat the above steps for the left side fender.

Items you will need

  • Tire iron

  • Jack

  • Jack stands

  • Screwdriver

  • Ratchet set

 How to Remove a Fender on a Camaro

Remove the wheel nuts from the wheel. Jack up the right side of the front end and pull the wheel off of the Camaro.

Remove the wheel well cover by removing the rivets with a flat-head screw driver. Pull the wheel well off of the Camaro's body.

Remove the bolt holding the Camaro's fender to the body inside the wheel well using the wrench set. Place the bolts some place that you will not lose them.

Remove the bolts that are holding the fender to the body inside the engine compartment using the wrench set.

Pull the Camaro's fender off of the body and set aside. Repeat these steps for the left side of the Camaro.

Items you will need

  • Jack

  • Flat-head screw driver

  • Wrench set

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