Fender removal help

I’m in the process of removing my driver side fender as there’s a dent I wanted my buddies shop to handle for me. I believe I have one last bolt to remove, it’s right about where the bumper and fender meet just above and past the tire.





I can’t seem to get this nut off with a 10mm socket, and upon looking there’s another head I can remove on the other side but I can’t reach without bumper removal. Anyone do this before, and if so did you have to remove the bumper? Thanks!

 

Never removed a fender off of my Tundra so I don't have any tricks or specific advice on that. But looking at your pictures it looks like your rounding/stripping the nut. A good quality 6 point socket or tubing style wrench might get a good fit and get it loose or one of those sockets designed to remove rounded nuts might do the trick also.

 

Maybe some penetrating oil/WD 40 in there will help it break free.. looks rusty.

 

the nut is welded on. theres a bolt on the other side.

At least if i remeber right.. its been over a year since i tore my fender off

 

No need to remove bumper. Do not use WD/40, it is not a rust penetrater, it is a rust preventer, look it up. PB blaster, soak it a few times, sometimes over night. A 10mm swivel socket might work, in the 1/4" drive. Of course if you had torches, a little heat works the best. Not the same as propane.

 

Yes thanks. I’d been using exactly that; small swivel socket w 1/4” drive & 10mm socket along w WD40. Going to use PB today and see if that works.

 

It appears to me you need a deep 10mm socket for that nut. Stud extension interferes internally with a standard length 10mm socket, and prevents the socket from engaging the hex flats. You end up rounding the hex corners on the top of the nut. Use a 10mm end wrench if you don't have a deep 10mm socket.

 

yep, it comes off. the nut is welded, it's just a bolt. PIA to get it off.

 

Was able to FINALLY get that last bolt off. What made it super difficult (with bumper on) is the narrow space to operate between bumper and this bolt, while still torquing off. Had to buy a very small swivel socket, turn to about 120 degree angle and work at the bolt ever slowly while also pushing on the bumper to give a little more room. Thanks to @zombie for the PB Blaster recommendation also. New fender (and rear chrome bumper also) on the way!

 

How did you remove that quarter panel?

I want to snug up my door hinge bolts and make a small adjustment on the passenger side door.

 

Check this out:

 

Hopefully people scroll down to here.

IT'S SO SIMPLE. "Take off the two large bumper bolts on the driver's side and the vertical nut under the *$#&@ WELDED nut, and the bumper will drop just enough to easily remove the fender bolt from Hades."