Help removing the rear stock fenders

Reidminer

Reidminer

TJ Enthusiast
Joined
Jan 9, 2019
Messages
376
Location
Syracuse NY
Hi y’all, so I’ve got some YJ rear body armpit panels and I’ve been wanting to install them on my TJ. I’ve had them for about 6 months now and actually got them for free so I’m not in a rush but I’d love to tackle it.
So I’ve got some basic tracing of the rear body sections onto some cardboard and have taken measurements for where I need to modify the panels slightly due to different placement of things on the rear. My next step is to remove everything and get it fitted up in real life lol. I’ve already taken off and reassembled everything else that I would need to in order to fit them...except the fenders. Those bolts are a pain in the but to remove.
So my question to you all is, how can I efficiently remove those things?! So far they all just spin, and I can’t access the rear of the bolts even after pulling back the wheel well liner. On my first TJ I ran into the same problem removing the front fenders and resorted to a air tool grinder wheel to sheer off the heads, is the my best option here? Any help would be appreciated!

C8FBC4CC-6123-49AE-9199-D4AC2B8003E8.jpeg


FFCD8A5D-0849-485D-B005-C2D953DB8113.jpeg


C89EED39-94B6-46B6-A8C3-CDC57B083A69.jpeg
 
I just replaced my rear flares and went through the following: 2 bolts came out intact, 1 came out pretty easily but with the nutsert attached to it, 1 tore right through the flare which I then had to Dremel off the head. I was replacing everything including the nutserts so it did not really matter. The good news is if you end up destroying the bolt and replacing nutserts, there is a vent hole under the flare where you can retrieve the old nutserts but it is not large enough to help with removal.

Edit: That first pic looks like the rear most bolt which is accessible from underneath if you pull the flap back.
 
primetime4 said:
I just replaced my rear flares and went through the following: 2 bolts came out intact, 1 came out pretty easily but with the nutsert attached to it, 1 tore right through the flare which I then had to Dremel off the head. I was replacing everything including the nutserts so it did not really matter. The good news is if you end up destroying the bolt and replacing nutserts, there is a vent hole under the flare where you can retrieve the old nutserts but it is not large enough to help with removal.

Edit: That first pic looks like the rear most bolt which is accessible from underneath if you pull the flap back.
Click to expand...

wow lucky! So far I’ve tried turning them all and they just spin,no movement in tightening or loosening. So I might be best to just shear off the heads. I won’t be replacing the rear flares for a while and when I do I’ll be going aftermarket. I just want to get them off so I can clean up the rear end and install the armor
 
Top Bottom
Back