Any Tricks To Removing & Replacing Rear Fenders?

[Bingster]

I'm going to remove the rear fenders on my '47 Desoto to kill some time while I can't work on the rest of the car. It looks pretty simple, just remove bolts, but just in case it's one of those things where realignment will be difficult if I don't do this or that, I thought I'd check in here.

Do I make any registration marks? I notice there's a fairly wide latitude for repositioning the fender.

[Reg Evans]

Here's a technique developed by Christopher from the High and Lonesome desert of Washington state.

I think he realigns the fenders by simply lining up the saw tooth marks.

Sorry.....couldn't resist.

Edited May 19, 2011 by Reg Evans

[randroid]

Bingster,

The r&r is pretty straightforward on Pigiron ('48 P-15), as you suggested, but a couple things to make your life a little more simple:

1. Remove the wheel from the side you're working on. If you don't it is a real beast to get a wrench on all the bolts.

2. Keep in mind that those bolts are subject to more road gunk than anywhere else on the car so beat the rush and start using penetrating oil early on in the game. Have a torch handy and be ready to use it mercilessly.

I'm going to use the body contours to do the final alignment when it goes back on. The welt will help you make any last minute adjustments but it isn't difficult, just a little time consuming. Don't hesitate to jump into the job head-first.

-Randy

[PatS....]

If you are happy with the alignment before you start, drill 3 small holes big enough for a nail beside the bolts front rear and center.

When you put the fender back on, place a nail in those small holes to get the previous alignment easier.

[Young Ed]

Another tip-many of the bolts go through into the trunk so you can spray and wire brush the exposed threads from inside the trunk. Heat them if necessary too.

[Rodney Bullock]

You can do some real nice under coating with the rear fenders off Also run a tap though the holes before reinstalling the bolts. This makes the reassemble easy I would also get some new stainless bolts

[desoto1939]

If you plan to have your car jusged then blast the old fender bolts and reuse them. If you use modern botls they have markings on the head and these will cause a major deduction of points on your car. Each bolt that is incorrect on the fender will count if I remember correctly like 5 or 10 points each.

If 10 point each and ten bolts on each rear fender you get a major deduction agains the car and this takes you out of the competition.

Again determine what you plan to do with the car Show or Driver.

Rich Hartung

Desoto1939@aol.com

[Bingster]

Thanks for all the great info. Just the ticket.

No, it's a driver but a real nice driver. I'll use the old bolts if they clean up nice and then the next person after me will have them.

On that undercoating. . .

I've been wondering wether or not to do that to all four fenders. I assume it would really help road noise and prevent road nicks coming through the metal.

Eastwood has can spray-on stuff and spray-on with a special applicator gun.

Any others?

I'd imagine that a can would make a smaller texture of coating than an applicator made for the job.

[greg g]

Soak you hardware in vinegar to get the rust off them.