I have a 98 that I need to pull the passenger side front fender off, is this difficult and is there realignment issues putting it back on. Any detailed instructions or pictures would be appreciated.

 

This is for a '99, I imagine a '98 is similar if not the same

Step 1: get the car on jack stands at the front or jack it up at the puck location enough to remove tire and allow you to get underneath the car safely. You'll be on your back for some of this

Step 2: Remove the 7 mm bolts that hold in the inspection panel behind the wheel. There are bolts on the bottom of the chassis, don't forget these. Set this aside

Step 3: Remove the fender bolt at the back bottom of the fender underneath the car and the one bolt inside the fenderwell.

Step 4: Look in towards the fender back edge from inside the wheel, you'll see a bolt about 1/2 way up. Remove it, You'll need a long extension.

Step 5: Remove the front fascia passenger side access panel and passenger side mini spoiler. Set these aside. This give you access to the two bolts and two nuts holding the front of the fender,get on your back and look up

Step 6: Maually raise the headlamp assembly using the large round **** at the back of the light. Optional - remove the headlight bezel (three screws) and the head light body panel cover (two side bolts, two torx bolts in the back). This gives you more room and light.

Step 7: From underneath the passenger side fascia with the access panel removed you'll see two nuts and large washers. Remove these. These hold the fender to the front fascia and wheel well


Step 8: at the front top of the fender, next to the headlight assembly are two bolts remove them from above (if you took the headlight cover off from step 6). These hold the fender to the front of the wheel well assembly

Step 9: Remove the several Torx bolts from on top of the fender under the hood edge

Step 10: It should be loose. Work it off by lifting the back of the fender out and up. DO IT Gently. It will work its way out. Dont' force it.

reverse the steps for installation. Leave all bolts and nuts loose and align the fender with the hood and the door prior to putting the access panel back. Tighten all bolts when aligned

Suggest you put each set of screws from each step in baggies and mark them. There are a lot of pieces.

While you got it off. Look for any signs of battery acid corrosion. If you have it, there are several threads on this. I used spray battery cleaner(Autozone), primer, engine block paint (low gloss) to repair. I had a lot of damage and rust. Clean everything before you put it back on and make sure you check the udder (large rubber tube next to the PCM) for any blockages. Squeeze it from the top down.

Good Luck,

 

It's a PITA the first time you pull it, but easy the second time. I found it much easier to pull the front fascia first (gives you room to work)

Good luck

EG