fender removal
 

Hi Im headed out to an isolated farm yard to grab a fender of a 4 runner part out. Its cold... today. Is there anything goofy about removing a 91 4 runner fender, what sockets do I need? Don't want to make two trips. :-p

I recall nothing goofy. The "usual" sockets (10,12,14,17) will do it.

If you're trying to do a 'clean' job you need to remove the plastic push-in clips that hold the skirt that hangs just inside the wheel. If you're removing the passenger side fender, you need to deal with the antenna. (But if it's a "part-out," that may have already been taken care of for you).

You probably already know this: body parts are made of surprisingly thin metal, and get a lot of rigidity from the way they are attached. So the "loose" fender will be very floppy and easy to bend -- the wrong way. I don't think you want to just strap it onto your roof.

do I need to take the bumper off, or grill?

and finally can I do this with sockets or do I need wrenches.

I've only done this once, and I had the bumper, valence, and grill off. But looking at it now, it doesn't look like any of that needs to be removed.

I don't recall using a combo wrench, just sockets. But why leave the wrenches at home? Unless you're going up there on a bicycle, take your "usual" tools -- the metric socket set, wrenches, pliers, screwdrivers. What are you going to do if a bolt has the head rounded off? Or if the bumper, etc. is bent just enough to get in your way?

Will take my toolbox. But don't have a full set of metric wrenches just a few. And I have an impact wrench that will make quick work of it if its metric/sockets.

And I guess I should take my pb blaster. Just hate doing this in freezing weather after a snow storm. :-p


thanks again.

Since you are getting it off of a parts truck and you are where snow is at, Mostl likely several of the bolts will break off. Toyotas bolts are not the greatest on body parts. The heads will just snap off but will not cause you any problems. I just a 1/4 inch drive set to get them off.

well that was the quickest fender removal I have ever done. 10 minutes. three sockets 10, 12 and an 11. Broke 2 bolt heads off. But the impact driver made it a quick job.

Thanks!

removing ANYTHING from my 72 tr6 is a major task, including a few days planning. The yota certainly is refreshing.

Yeddi64,
I had a TR7 for a couple years, I feel your pain. Doubly so if you've ever had an electrical issue with it.

Out of curiousity, did you use a hand impact driver or a pneumatic one?