i tried taking it off yesterday and gave up since i could not figure out how to remove the bolts holding it on to the bumper.. i was going to beat out some damage on the bumper and if that wasnt possible then i have a spare one i could put on (last resort since i dont want a rainbow car)
my question is..
how the hell do you take off the fender?
i've never had so much trouble taking one off before.

 

bump..

 

The bumper needs to come off to take the fender off. The bumper has studs that run through the front of the fender with nuts sandwiching them together. I find it easiest to remove the fender lining, put a bunch of extensions on a ratchet, and attack the nuts from the inside [I believe there are 3... possibly 4]. Make sure you have a deep 10mm socket, since the studs are kind of long. And make sure you can open your door all the way, since there are 2 hidden fender bolts back there.

 

there is also 2 bolts holding the bottom of the fender to the car by the door.
When you get the bumper off there is also a bolt that holds the fender to the radiator support.
One bolt for the bumper is only accessable when you remove the headlight plastics.

There is another bolt that is only accessable when the bottom of the fender is loose, this bolt gives the fender its spacing, it is not necessary to remove this bolt, only loosen it so the fender can be removed.