Removing front fender 78SC what tool??
 

Ok I have every bolt retaining the fender off except the second 10mm one under the windshield behind the door jamb.
The close one is out, not the deeper one nearer the trunk.
What tool do I need? These are 10mm hex.
I hate to take the door off to get a straight shot.
Door just doesn't open wide enough....

Nice try Shaun - but its a hex head - don't know WHAT the Germans were thinking.

Tsuter--
I used a 5MM allen wrench with a ball end -- allows you to get it at an angle and still have it bite. Helps if you have small hands. I'd spray wd-40 at it to loosen up the accumulation of 'junk'. You might think about replacing the cowl seal when you reinstall the fender - a 'while you're at it' thing.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1194651017.jpg

[Edited to correct hex size - Dennis is right - its 5MM]

Just took my fender off, it was a 5 mm hex, as was the other one closer to the door. Not sure about yours (mine is an '89) all the rest were 10mm of course. I needed the ball hex as pictured, except I have a set that are sockets....

Make sure your door is wide open. Plus the sealer those guys put on is pretty tough. I took a razor knife to every edge I could get at, inside the trunk, inside the fender well. I ended up prying from the front end with a stiff blad, but in a manner that pushed the fender edge out, sort of reverse of what is natural. Ran the blade through the open slot a few times, finally got the front loose and then was able to lever out the rest.

Lots of crap in there....

Dennis

Don't forget the bolts inside the gas tank filler flap. Man I don't recall having this kind of issue with mine and I only remember 10mm all the way around on a '76 and '80.

There is a secret to poping the fender free from the body sealer after the bolts are out, without prying and wrecking the fender.
But because of safety reasons, I'm not sure I should post it.

....does it involve heat or fire?

Dennis

OK its off. the "secret" was to knock out the door check pivot pin so that the door would open to about 90 degrees. Be careful.
Then the wrench went in.
Oh, for 78 these are 10mm and you use a socket on the end.

The fender came right off after running a blade knife inside the wheel wells thru all the old undercoating and down the seam - trunk to fender..

Along this same topic, I would like to loosen my left front fender just enough to replace the cowl seal on my '73. I've removed the two bolts in the door thinking that would be enough...couldn't even budge it. Any suggestions on what I'm missing?

I would think you must lossen 2-3 inside the trunk near the windshield as well as the top 2-3 in the back of the wheel well to pry it apart enough.

Then the factory rust protector is holding the whole fender in. You will end up breaking that apart soit will seem fastened when it isn't.

In fact to just replace the top cowl seal and not pull the fender so that the entire trunk to fender seam can be retaped seems like an open invitation to rust after you crack it open. Just MO. I like a good rust coating.

OK, I'm moving to the driver side. With the gas access. I have the two bolts out in there as well as removed the flap with three screws for room.

Unhooked the wire to the puller.
Got the snap ring retaining the rubber jacket out and pushed it down thru the hole.

What else? Does the first section of the tank filler tube need to come out?

Or will the fender pull forward off those two threads?? That support bracket is on top the fender threads.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1194720846.jpg

I hear you...think I'll just leave it and not be so picky.

Good luck on yours and thanks for your opinion.

Bump for Sunday traffic.....

Tips for removing driver side fender around that gas filler neck flange.....see picture above.

Before I just cut the flange off....

you have to remove the entire filler neck

Unhook at the flex connector to the filler neck in the trunk and pull it out thru the fender opening from the outside?

Some Sunday Porn
 

Passenger side porn.....

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1194802776.jpg

Still stuck at driver side fuel filler neck....

:)

Pulling that neck thru was tighter and drier than an 80 yr old.... :)

Anyway its out....


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1194808721.jpg

and out a little more....

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1194808770.jpg

And the driver side fender off.


nice Sunday project....

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1194808957.jpg