Removing a fender...
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 473
Likes: 0
From: Centreville, VA USA
Removing a fender...
Just for grins and giggles... How hard is it to remove a fender? One of these days I want to over haul my AC and HVAC stuff. I don't know about you guys but I can not get my fat arms into there...
Just kicking around ideas instead of working...
Tim M.
Just kicking around ideas instead of working...
Tim M.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 473
Likes: 0
From: Centreville, VA USA
Re: Removing a fender... (still-learning)
I did it!! I found a topic that was not an easy answer!! Do I get bonus credit for that? I guess I should go work on my car now... :)
Tim M.
Tim M.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
Re: Removing a fender... (still-learning)
No - I'm just slow reading and replying today.
I split my front fenders off last week.
It is a slow and meticulous job. Basically, you start working the seams apart
with a wood chisel or two. Once the seam starts splitting apart, it gets easier
to move along. Some of the corners are nearly impossible to split, and they
get damaged. Well, you gotta expect some repairs when you're breaking
fiberglass pieces apart.
Now, why do you need to remove a fender to repair the AC ? I don't have AC,
and I don't understand. Do you mean that you can't get your arm into the
area where the blower motor is ?
Taking a fender off is pretty extreme. Pulling the engine is easier, I think.
Or, if you just need to get into the right side near the blower motor, you can
remove the splash shield at the bottom back corner of the fender. This
simply unbolts and should give enough room to get one or two hands up
in there.
If you REALLY want to take a fender off (don't do it), then get back to me.
I'll take some detailed pics of what I've got (my 75).
:seeya
I split my front fenders off last week.
It is a slow and meticulous job. Basically, you start working the seams apart
with a wood chisel or two. Once the seam starts splitting apart, it gets easier
to move along. Some of the corners are nearly impossible to split, and they
get damaged. Well, you gotta expect some repairs when you're breaking
fiberglass pieces apart.
Now, why do you need to remove a fender to repair the AC ? I don't have AC,
and I don't understand. Do you mean that you can't get your arm into the
area where the blower motor is ?
Taking a fender off is pretty extreme. Pulling the engine is easier, I think.
Or, if you just need to get into the right side near the blower motor, you can
remove the splash shield at the bottom back corner of the fender. This
simply unbolts and should give enough room to get one or two hands up
in there.
If you REALLY want to take a fender off (don't do it), then get back to me.
I'll take some detailed pics of what I've got (my 75).
:seeya
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 4,077
Likes: 27
From: Northeast South Dakota
Re: Removing a fender... (Daves_rusty_75)
I've done it. :D You don't want to go there. :smash: But if you do, take a chisel and start pounding it into the seam where the fender is glued on until it splits. And it will split and crack and creak and make all kind of horrible sounds, and probably break the fender. Then all you have to do it take a sawzall and cut the front part off wherever you feel fit, unbolt the inner fender from the radiator support and out it comes.....nothing to it. :lol: :D Then after a few weeks of fiberglassing, sanding, body filler, sanding, paint, sanding, you'll be back in business.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 473
Likes: 0
From: Centreville, VA USA
Re: Removing a fender... (Dalannex)
Thanks guys. You have sucessfully talked me out of it. :) It took one word. "Chisel"
It sounds like there are better ways to get to that pesky AC and plenum box. This was me just day dreaming yesterday... I will say I have about a third of my interior insulated and it is starting to look like a moon vehicle.
Tim M.
It sounds like there are better ways to get to that pesky AC and plenum box. This was me just day dreaming yesterday... I will say I have about a third of my interior insulated and it is starting to look like a moon vehicle.
Tim M.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
Re: Removing a fender... (still-learning)
Hell with it, just as easy to cut an 8" square in the fender liner close as you can with drill holes of small diameter in each corner, then drill too diagonally opposing larger to accomodate a sawzall blade.....out it comes easily...
then reglue the piece in place, hit it with flat black and it's done....I use paneling adhesive from Home Despot...dryin a day or so....
GENE
then reglue the piece in place, hit it with flat black and it's done....I use paneling adhesive from Home Despot...dryin a day or so....
GENE
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
Re: Removing a fender... (still-learning)
Thanks guys. You have sucessfully talked me out of it. :) It took one word. "Chisel"
It sounds like there are better ways to get to that pesky AC and plenum box. This was me just day dreaming yesterday... I will say I have about a third of my interior insulated and it is starting to look like a moon vehicle.
Tim M.
It sounds like there are better ways to get to that pesky AC and plenum box. This was me just day dreaming yesterday... I will say I have about a third of my interior insulated and it is starting to look like a moon vehicle.
Tim M.
Or, if you just need to get into the right side near the blower motor, you can
remove the splash shield at the bottom back corner of the fender. This
simply unbolts and should give enough room to get one or two hands up
in there.
Seriously, you should be able to get up in tha area from the bottom. It's
only a few bolts.
Gene - If the chisel scared him, he'll be running crazy from a sawzall. :lol:
It's funny to think that our 'plastic' cars were glued together, like a giant
putting a plastic model car together.
I can say this: They used some really good glue. I hope she sticks back
together as well as she was.
[Modified by Daves_rusty_75, 2:55 PM 11/21/2002]
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 473
Likes: 0
From: Centreville, VA USA
Re: Removing a fender... (Daves_rusty_75)
I must have missed the ?... I don't thinkI recovered after the chisel. BTW, sawzall and my vette just don't go together. :) I had a hard enough time taking the wire wheel to the floor pans.
I will take a look at the splash guard tonight. I just need more hours in the day. Damn job keeps getting in the way.
Tim M.
I will take a look at the splash guard tonight. I just need more hours in the day. Damn job keeps getting in the way.
Tim M.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 2,157
Likes: 0
From: Pensacola FLA
Re: Removing a fender... (still-learning)
Hello,
I hesitate even mentioning this method and I don't recommend it for the faint of heart. I replaced my driverside rear fender with a nos black glass fender
after the media blasting revealed a lot of damage to the wheel well area. A friend of mine that has done alot of corvette body work showed me a way to remove the damage fender by using a small propane torch! Wave the torch along the bonding seam of the fiberglass piece that is to be removed being careful to keep the heat away from any good fiberglass. It heats up the bonding glue enabling to the offending piece of fiberglass to be stripped away leaving the old glue and fiberglass strands that can be ground away to get to the original bonding strip. This method was extremely effective where the rear fender was attached to the door jamb area and front of the rear wheel well. Of course the piece of foberglass removed is now junk.
Disclaimer using this method might be hazardous to your corvette.
I hesitate even mentioning this method and I don't recommend it for the faint of heart. I replaced my driverside rear fender with a nos black glass fender
after the media blasting revealed a lot of damage to the wheel well area. A friend of mine that has done alot of corvette body work showed me a way to remove the damage fender by using a small propane torch! Wave the torch along the bonding seam of the fiberglass piece that is to be removed being careful to keep the heat away from any good fiberglass. It heats up the bonding glue enabling to the offending piece of fiberglass to be stripped away leaving the old glue and fiberglass strands that can be ground away to get to the original bonding strip. This method was extremely effective where the rear fender was attached to the door jamb area and front of the rear wheel well. Of course the piece of foberglass removed is now junk.
Disclaimer using this method might be hazardous to your corvette.
