Question for the body guys
#1
Full Member
![](https://www.rx7club.com/images/misc/10_year_icon.png)
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Phoenix
Posts: 187
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Question for the body guys
I will hopefully getting 2 new front fenders for my S5 soon, and wondered how difficult it is to change them? I dont have access to a garage, but am fairly handy. Also wondering about time involved?
Sorry if this seems like a n00b question
Sorry if this seems like a n00b question
![Smilie](https://www.rx7club.com/images/smilies/smile.gif)
#2
Rotary Apprentice
![](https://www.rx7club.com/images/misc/15_year_icon.png)
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: USA
Posts: 2,181
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by blackangst
I will hopefully getting 2 new front fenders for my S5 soon, and wondered how difficult it is to change them? I dont have access to a garage, but am fairly handy. Also wondering about time involved?
Sorry if this seems like a n00b question![Smilie](https://www.rx7club.com/images/smilies/smile.gif)
Sorry if this seems like a n00b question
![Smilie](https://www.rx7club.com/images/smilies/smile.gif)
#3
King of the Loop
![](https://www.rx7club.com/images/misc/15_year_icon.png)
![Arrow](https://www.rx7club.com/images/icons/icon2.gif)
Im not a body guy but I can tell you front fenders are easy as hell. 4 bolts on the top under the hood, 2 under the car behind the wheel well and 2 infrotn fo it, 2 in the door jam, and then 2 behind the front bumper. The hardest part is the front 4 since you have to remove the plastic guard of the wheel well and remove the nuts from within the fender with an extention. Be ready to replace bolts, ive ended up breaking off those 15+ year old bolts everytime ive done it, especially on the bottom 2.
#4
~!@#$%^&*()_+
![](https://www.rx7club.com/images/misc/10_year_icon.png)
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Mpls, MN
Posts: 461
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Soaking the studs on the innerfender bolts with penetrating oil will make your life much easier. They often like to break.
Also, Swivles and whoble extensions will make the job go much quicker.
Good luck.
Oh yeah, be very carefull opening and closing the door while working on the fenders. It does not take much to get them out of alignment and risk chiping off some paint.
Also, Swivles and whoble extensions will make the job go much quicker.
Good luck.
Oh yeah, be very carefull opening and closing the door while working on the fenders. It does not take much to get them out of alignment and risk chiping off some paint.
#5
Full Member
![](https://www.rx7club.com/images/misc/10_year_icon.png)
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Phoenix
Posts: 187
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks guys I think I got the idea. I figured it would be more time consuming than anything else. I adore the non-technical descriptions you guys give LOL -I CAN UNDERSTAND IT!-
Thanks again-
Thanks again-
#6
Engine, Not Motor
![](https://www.rx7club.com/images/misc/15_year_icon.png)
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: London, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 29,789
Likes: 0
Received 110 Likes
on
93 Posts
I'm not a body guy, but I've been through this.
Regarding the bolts in the bumper...Penetrating oil is your friend. If your car has been exposed to any salt or winter, they will be horribly rusted and WILL break. The metal bracket they are attached to is replacable but they're about $40 a piece and a pain to get in place with the bumper on.
Lots of penetraing oil and a SMALL socket wrench with a big extension is the most important thing.
Also, don't be surprised if you have to shim the fenders to make things fit up. No two fenders or cars are alike and it may take some adjustment to get all the body lines correct. Pick up a bunch of shims and flat washers at any auto body shop. Work slowly as moving one line around will effect all others. Don't crank down on the bolts until you are sure everything is in place to avoid warping the new fender.
Also, nows the time to coat the back of the fenders (especially where the lower lip meets the body!) with POR-15.
Regarding the bolts in the bumper...Penetrating oil is your friend. If your car has been exposed to any salt or winter, they will be horribly rusted and WILL break. The metal bracket they are attached to is replacable but they're about $40 a piece and a pain to get in place with the bumper on.
Lots of penetraing oil and a SMALL socket wrench with a big extension is the most important thing.
Also, don't be surprised if you have to shim the fenders to make things fit up. No two fenders or cars are alike and it may take some adjustment to get all the body lines correct. Pick up a bunch of shims and flat washers at any auto body shop. Work slowly as moving one line around will effect all others. Don't crank down on the bolts until you are sure everything is in place to avoid warping the new fender.
Also, nows the time to coat the back of the fenders (especially where the lower lip meets the body!) with POR-15.
![Smilie](https://www.rx7club.com/images/smilies/smile.gif)
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
trickster
2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992)
25
07-01-23 04:40 PM