A component of the front bodywork, the fender, can be found there. It fits seamlessly with the hood and the front of the vehicle, covering the wheel arches of the steering axle and blending in with the show.
The fender can be replaced without difficulty is one of its many advantages.
When dents, deep scratches, or rust are present on the fenders of a vehicle, replacing the fenders is typically the quickest way to repair the damage compared to removing the dents, filling the holes, or welding the holes.
You can learn everything you need to know about replacing fenders by reading the information contained in this article.
Things that cause the fender to deteriorate
The fender of a vehicle is constantly subjected to the elements because it is a component of the car’s exterior skin.
In addition, this component can be found near the vehicle’s wheels. The lower edges of this sheet metal part are consistently struck by water jets and gravel.
Because of the conditions, they frequently begin to rust over there. In addition, the front fenders are prone to damage when navigating through congested parking lots because they are so close to the ground.
Older parking lots do not have enough space to accommodate the ever-increasing size of today’s vehicles. It’s not uncommon for wide sedans, 4x4s, or SUVs to scrap up against a pillar.
Dented, rusted, or scratched fenders are not necessarily a bad thing in and of themselves.
However, it significantly detracts from the car’s overall aesthetic value. In contrast to the firmly welded side parts of the rear bodywork, fenders perform no function in the car’s statics and are, therefore, unnecessary.
They are bolted to the frame, and it is simple to replace them if necessary.
Be careful not to get the color confused!
Even though swapping out fenders is a reasonably straightforward process, there is one obstacle to overcome: the color.
A monochrome vehicle with a contrasting color fender draws the eye immediately, lowering the car’s value.
As a result, it is well worth your time to search for the appropriate component to serve as a replacement.
Finding the fender in the appropriate color is possible if one is willing to do a little bit of searching.
Please pay close attention to detail when searching for the fender so that you do not mistake the shades for it.
There are hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of color permutations for every primary hue.
As soon as the sheet metal part is mounted, any differences in the paint job, such as if it was not done according to the same color code, will become immediately apparent.
You can find the color code of a car on the registration document or in a visible location on the vehicle itself.
On the other hand, its location can shift quite a bit depending on the model. Calling the nearest used car dealer or the dealer of the brand in question is something you should do if you want to find out where the color code for the vehicle is located.
Because of the Internet, locating the appropriate component in a country outside of the United States is also possible.
It is not a good idea to purchase a new spare part and then paint it after you have already purchased it.
What about pre-owned?
When working on an older vehicle, it is much more prudent to use a flawless, color-matched fender that has been installed rather than a brand-new component.
There are a few drawbacks to using new fenders, including the following:
– Fitting
– A tarnished appearance
– Material quality
Many black sheep can be found in the manufacturing industry, particularly in the sheet metal parts sector.
The purchaser is ecstatic, to begin with because the replacement component was so ridiculously inexpensive.
However, the disappointment strikes almost immediately when it’s time to put everything together.
The dimensions are off, the screw holes are the wrong size, the sheet metal part arrives rusted at the customer’s location, and the sheet metal is barely thicker than a piece of paper.
If you want to replace your fender, you should get one of the brand name or original equipment manufacturer (OE) quality from a dealer with a good reputation.
In that case, a seemingly straightforward repair will quickly become frustrating.
Black primer is included with the replacement fenders shipped from the factory. This indicates that the sheet metal has not yet been given a coat of paint.
It is strongly recommended that you do not experiment with aerosol sprays. You will never fail to notice the distinction.
However, once the fender has been mounted, it will still draw attention to itself, even if it has been lacquered by a professional.
The condition of the rest of the car is highlighted by a flawless, shiny fender that appears to have recently been lacquered.
Because of this, anyone who wants to install a new component on their vehicle will need to spend a significant amount of time polishing it after assembly to match the color and shine of the remainder of the bodywork.
However, a used fender in the same color offers OEM quality and a perfect fit if it is the same model.
A used car repair shop can benefit from the vehicle’s apparent signs of wear and tear. Consequently, to achieve the best results, you should use a fender that is in good condition and has the same color as the car. In this way, the repair will not be visible in the future.
How to Perform Each Step of the Fender Replacement Procedure
It should take between two and three hours to change a fender. You will require the following to accomplish this:
– A socket wrench set
– A work area that is free of moisture
– A jack
– Wrench with a crosshead
– Clip removal tool
– Pliers with a pointed tip
– Brackets
– Phillips screwdriver
The car has been parked, and the hood has been opened in preparation.
1. Take the grille off the oven
To begin, take off the radiator grille. This step is essential to remove the bumper later successfully.
Several Phillips screws are typically used to secure the grille to the bodywork of the vehicle.
2. Take off the bumper
After that, the entire bumper will be taken off of the vehicle. There are several clips and screws located all around it.
To prevent the removed bumper from becoming scratched, it is placed on some soft grass or a blanket.
3. Take the wheel off of the vehicle
It is necessary to remove the wheel from the side that corresponds. To accomplish this, first, remove the nuts from their sockets and then raise the vehicle. When it is in this position, the wheel must be removed entirely.
Caution: It is not acceptable for the car to be supported solely by the jack. To properly keep the vehicle, we ask that you refrain from utilizing any stones or lumber that has been squared off in any way.
It is essential to constantly raise and lower the car from the supports at the plotted points.
The vehicle’s bodywork can be severely damaged if the jack or support is not positioned correctly.
4. Take the wheel arch off of the vehicle
Screws and clips secure the wheel arch or inner fender to the vehicle’s bodywork.
Take care not to misplace any screws while you are working on this. If you want to avoid the risk of the screw heads coming loose, it is best to use a manual screwdriver rather than an electric one.
After that, disassembly becomes very trying, and there is always the risk of further damaging the bodywork or the vehicle’s components.
5. Make sure the headlights are turned off
On modern automobiles, a number of the fender bolts are positioned so that the headlights conceal them.
Check that the xenon headlights have completely cooled down before driving. Ensure that the headlights are kept in a secure location.
6. Replace the fender with a new one
You should be able to remove all of the fender bolts now that all the front parts and the wheel arch have been removed.
Now that all the front parts and the wheel arch have been removed. It would help if you always had a small tin can to store the body bolts.
The old fender must remove its bolts before the new one can be mounted. Adjustment work on contemporary automobiles is minimal at best. The fender ought to go on without a hitch.
However, if you find that you are having trouble putting it together, there may be damage to the frame.
Investigate whether or not it is a car that has been in an accident if this occurs.
7. Put everything back together again
All of the additional components are put back together in the opposite order. After that, the vehicle is meticulously washed and polished.
If there are no signs of the previous damage after the repair, then it can be considered a success.
A prompt replacement will save you both time and trouble
When it comes to the front fenders, the decision regarding whether or not to repair or replace them is straightforward.
If the flaws can be eliminated through the process of polishing, then you can proceed to make use of the older ones.
However, if you need to putty and weld, the best choice is to find a perfect spare part in the same color as a junkyard.
