I will hopefully getting 2 new front fenders for my S5 soon, and wondered how difficult it is to change them? I dont have access to a garage, but am fairly handy. Also wondering about time involved?

Sorry if this seems like a n00b question

 

Its easy to do, its just a matter of getting to all the bolts. There are a bunch right under the hood on the top of the fender. Then there are two connecting it to the front bumper that have to be removed from behind. This requires removing a wheel and wheel well cover thingy. get a big ol extension and get those two nuts. Then, turn yourself the other way towards the door and theres another bolt way back there that needs and extension to remove. one is at the top rear of the fender, covered by the door. **** the door open a bit and unbolt it. There are also four on the bottom, two in front of the wheel under the car and two behind the wheel under the car. Its really straightforward, just get all the bolts, pop that ho off and throw on the new one. good luck! i hope i didnt forget any bolts, its been awhile!

 

Im not a body guy but I can tell you front fenders are easy as hell. 4 bolts on the top under the hood, 2 under the car behind the wheel well and 2 infrotn fo it, 2 in the door jam, and then 2 behind the front bumper. The hardest part is the front 4 since you have to remove the plastic guard of the wheel well and remove the nuts from within the fender with an extention. Be ready to replace bolts, ive ended up breaking off those 15+ year old bolts everytime ive done it, especially on the bottom 2.

 

Soaking the studs on the innerfender bolts with penetrating oil will make your life much easier. They often like to break.

Also, Swivles and whoble extensions will make the job go much quicker.

Good luck.

Oh yeah, be very carefull opening and closing the door while working on the fenders. It does not take much to get them out of alignment and risk chiping off some paint.

 

Thanks guys I think I got the idea. I figured it would be more time consuming than anything else. I adore the non-technical descriptions you guys give LOL -I CAN UNDERSTAND IT!-

Thanks again-

 

I'm not a body guy, but I've been through this.

Regarding the bolts in the bumper...Penetrating oil is your friend. If your car has been exposed to any salt or winter, they will be horribly rusted and WILL break. The metal bracket they are attached to is replacable but they're about $40 a piece and a pain to get in place with the bumper on.

Lots of penetraing oil and a SMALL socket wrench with a big extension is the most important thing.

Also, don't be surprised if you have to shim the fenders to make things fit up. No two fenders or cars are alike and it may take some adjustment to get all the body lines correct. Pick up a bunch of shims and flat washers at any auto body shop. Work slowly as moving one line around will effect all others. Don't crank down on the bolts until you are sure everything is in place to avoid warping the new fender.

Also, nows the time to coat the back of the fenders (especially where the lower lip meets the body!) with POR-15.