Fender Removal

[slowboy]

I've searched through this forum for how to remove front fenders on my '72 GMC P/U
and can not find any information on how to do this.

Please someone point me in the right direction on how to remove these.

Thanks,
slowboy

[outfield]

Hi slowboy,

I found this info on the forum a while back, so I'll pass it on.

These two images show how the fenders bolt up to the fire wall. You do need to remove the cowl to get access to one bolt, and the door must be open to get access to a couple more. When you look at the under side of the fender you will see the bolts that attach the inner fender well to. There are a couple more bolts that go into the core support that were easy to find, I don't have an image for them.

[slowboy]

Thanks for reply 'outfield'...

...so can fender/s be removed without removing inner fender/s...just remove cowl and hood?...

[outfield]

Yes, you can remove the fender and leave the inner fender in place.
I just replaced my passenger fender and left the inner fender in place. We unbolted the hood hinge and rested the back of the hood on a 2x4 that sat on top of where the cowl was. (by the wiper arm pivot) Then unbolted the fender and removed it.

[6768chevylover]

yes, that is correct.

[slowboy]

Thanks for reply guys!!

[In The Ten Ring]

It's easy, once you get it going. I removed both of mine with just a 3/8" ratchet set.

Let's see, you have a total of 11 bolts to remove. The three at the rear are one size larger than the 8 at the front, plus ever how many attach the inner fender to the outer.

You may break a couple of bolts, I did when trying to remove the outer from the inner. If that happens you may have to remove both the inner and outer at once.

[70STOVEBOLT]

Is the bracket, #1 in the illustration, a GMC only thing? My '70 Chevy does not have those

[In The Ten Ring]

Originally Posted by 70STOVEBOLT

Is the bracket, #1 in the illustration, a GMC only thing? My '70 Chevy does not have those

My 1972 Chevy does not. My fender was easy to remove, except that the inner fender had to come off with it, and to do that, I had to cut off the inner from the core support, as it was so rusted the bolts broke the core support and were "free wheeling," and unable to remove.

[slowboy]

I started removing the bolts for LH fender well outside and 2 of them want to just spin. Do they screw into one of those metal clips? I'm wondering if clip came off or broke.

[70STOVEBOLT]

There are j-nuts that the bolts thread into (metal clips). You will be lucky if only 2 of them break on you. Most of mine did when I removed the original fender. You can get them at NAPA, part number 665-1052, they come in a pack of 7, or any j-nut for 5/16-18 thread will work. I ended up removing the inner and outer fender together because of this problem, then was able to get the old j-nuts off the bolts.

[In The Ten Ring]

Originally Posted by 70STOVEBOLT

There are j-nuts that the bolts thread into (metal clips). You will be lucky if only 2 of them break on you. Most of mine did when I removed the original fender. You can get them at NAPA, part number 665-1052, they come in a pack of 7, or any j-nut for 5/16-18 thread will work. I ended up removing the inner and outer fender together because of this problem, then was able to get the old j-nuts off the bolts.

I had the same problem, I think two of the j-nuts broke on me, which is why I removed both inner and outer fenders together.

It's a "job" for a single person but it's do-able for sure. I did it in the tight confines of my garage.

[raggedjim]

Originally Posted by 70STOVEBOLT

Is the bracket, #1 in the illustration, a GMC only thing? My '70 Chevy does not have those

Nope, that's a big truck thing, doesn't apply to c10's

Rg

[70STOVEBOLT]

Learn something new every day! Thanks for the info Roger.

[slowboy]

Originally Posted by In The Ten Ring

It's easy, once you get it going. I removed both of mine with just a 3/8" ratchet set.

Let's see, you have a total of 11 bolts to remove. The three at the rear are one size larger than the 8 at the front, plus ever how many attach the inner fender to the outer.

You may break a couple of bolts, I did when trying to remove the outer from the inner. If that happens you may have to remove both the inner and outer at once.

there's one in door jamb at the bottom I can't get to...any suggestions?

[slowboy]

I have LH Fender loose. Seems that either grill, or bumper is preventing me from completely removing fender.
Any help/advice appreciated please.
Thanks!


[don't want to remove anything unnecessarily]

[Curtb1971]

Originally Posted by slowboy

I have LH Fender loose. Seems that either grill, or bumper is preventing me from completely removing fender.
Any help/advice appreciated please.
Thanks!


[don't want to remove anything unnecessarily]

You will need to remove the grill as it the outer grill support bracket bolts to the fender. Not sure on the bumper but it might be in the way as well. Also the front headlight harness runs through the LH fender and is held on the fender by (2) harness supports, just need to push the plastic clip out of the holes in the fender.
Hope this helps

[In The Ten Ring]

I just now removed my grill and one fender. (I had to open up some holes).

I think you'll have to remove your grill first as it comes up over the sides of the outer fenders. (Mine is a 1972 Chevy). His is a GMC, does his grill have to come off first?

If so, and you have to remove your grill, follow these steps.

1). Remove front bumper. This is the only place I had to use my 1/2" drive and a long cheater bar. First I soaked the bolts in a break free type of product for a couple of days.

2). Remove grill. You'll likely have to lose the headlight surrounds to access some of the grill bracket bolts.

3). Remove outer fender.

I remember taking off my grill first before a fender but I have a Chevy. What say you guys?

[raggedjim]

You can pull a GMC fender (or a 67-68 chevy fender for that matter) without pulling the grill because they don't overlap the fender like the 69-72 chevy grills do. I've done it tons of times, but I think I always had the front bumper off.

Good luck, Rg

[davischevy]

Originally Posted by slowboy

I started removing the bolts for LH fender well outside and 2 of them want to just spin. Do they screw into one of those metal clips? I'm wondering if clip came off or broke.

The bolts screw into j nuts.

I use a pair of small vice grips to grab them from the back side. It ain't easy, but possible.

[In The Ten Ring]

Originally Posted by davischevy

The bolts screw into j nuts.

I use a pair of small vice grips to grab them from the back side. It ain't easy, but possible.

I did this on a couple of my broken j-nuts but in the end it just wasn't enough or I could not reach a broken j-nut while the fenders were on.

*Pretty neat about the GMC grill and fender not overlapping.

Yesterday I was cleaning up my garage a bit and FOUND PART OF A J NUT THAT HAD BROKEN OFF. Crazy.

Original poster: just keep taking bolts off and you'll get there, figure it out as you go.

[davischevy]

Take plenty of pictures. You will thank yourself later.

[In The Ten Ring]

Originally Posted by davischevy

Take plenty of pictures. You will thank yourself later.

Yes, this!

Also put every bolt you take off into a plastic ziplock bag with a label. I did that and I cleaned up every single bolt and fastener. I ended up using new bolts but only because new ones have a coating on them. I have reused some old bolts but it was easy because I had everything labelled.

I took a ton of pics also but those haven't been that important, you'll remember most everything when you go back, I have at least. I still recommend taking lots of pics as you take it apart.