I didn't find much regarding this, so sorry if it has been posted before. Also if this is in the wrong spot, feel free to move it.
So, one of the fender flares on my XJ came off, and when I tried to remove the retainers to put the flare back on, EVERY SINGLE bolt broke off. This is a simple fix as opposed to going to a junkyard and possibly breaking the bolts off those ones too.
What you need: your old fender flare retainers, drill & bits, bolts, nuts & washers (I used 1/4" with 7/16" head), JB Weld, wrench/ratchet.
First off, I had some extra time at work one day, so I started off by taking a hand grinder and cutting off the broken bolts. Then I used the table top grinder/wire wheel to grind down the rest of the bolts and take off some of the rust. Then I spray painted them with a coat of black paint to help prevent future rust. I didn't get any pictures of this step because I was at work.
Here you can see the ground down parts where the bolts were.
And here you can see the heads of the old bolts. We'll be drilling right through these.
I started by drilling smaller holes right through the middle of where all the old bolts were to help guide the larger bit so it doesn't get off track. Then I drilled the larger holes through the smaller ones. Don't worry about them being perfect or looking pretty, no one is going to see them but you. As long as the holes are relatively close to centered.
Small holes:
Large holes:
As I said, I drilled right through the old bolt head, adds more reinforcement for the new bolts. All I had on hand was a small 16v Black & Decker drill, so this part actually took a while. Most of you guys will probably have it easier.
Next, I put the bolts through the holes, along with the nuts and washers, this will help keep it tight while out JB Weld dries. I found some 1/4" bolts with 7/16" heads lying around work, and they worked just fine, though I probably wouldn't go much bigger, if any. Don't quite tighten them all the way yet, only about this far:
Then put on your JB Weld under and around the head of the bolt, and tighten them up.
Let them dry overnight, then remove the nuts and washers, so we have this:
Then attach them back onto your fender flares.
Now we're ready to put them back on! You took them off, so you know how they go back on. Remember, your fix doesn't have to look pretty, it won't be seen. As long as the retainers hold the fender flare and the bolts are pretty straight, you're good to go. Just guide the bolts through the holes on the Jeep, then put the nuts and washers on on the other side. If your nuts are large enough, you don't NEED washers, but why not? Here's mine:
Before:
After:
And there we have it, fixed fender flares. This is a simple write up, but not everyone knows how to fix things,so hopefully it helps someone out at some point. I'm really new here, but I thought I would contribute something.
Have fun guys!
So, one of the fender flares on my XJ came off, and when I tried to remove the retainers to put the flare back on, EVERY SINGLE bolt broke off. This is a simple fix as opposed to going to a junkyard and possibly breaking the bolts off those ones too.
What you need: your old fender flare retainers, drill & bits, bolts, nuts & washers (I used 1/4" with 7/16" head), JB Weld, wrench/ratchet.
First off, I had some extra time at work one day, so I started off by taking a hand grinder and cutting off the broken bolts. Then I used the table top grinder/wire wheel to grind down the rest of the bolts and take off some of the rust. Then I spray painted them with a coat of black paint to help prevent future rust. I didn't get any pictures of this step because I was at work.
Here you can see the ground down parts where the bolts were.
And here you can see the heads of the old bolts. We'll be drilling right through these.
I started by drilling smaller holes right through the middle of where all the old bolts were to help guide the larger bit so it doesn't get off track. Then I drilled the larger holes through the smaller ones. Don't worry about them being perfect or looking pretty, no one is going to see them but you. As long as the holes are relatively close to centered.
Small holes:
Large holes:
As I said, I drilled right through the old bolt head, adds more reinforcement for the new bolts. All I had on hand was a small 16v Black & Decker drill, so this part actually took a while. Most of you guys will probably have it easier.
Next, I put the bolts through the holes, along with the nuts and washers, this will help keep it tight while out JB Weld dries. I found some 1/4" bolts with 7/16" heads lying around work, and they worked just fine, though I probably wouldn't go much bigger, if any. Don't quite tighten them all the way yet, only about this far:
Then put on your JB Weld under and around the head of the bolt, and tighten them up.
Let them dry overnight, then remove the nuts and washers, so we have this:
Then attach them back onto your fender flares.
Now we're ready to put them back on! You took them off, so you know how they go back on. Remember, your fix doesn't have to look pretty, it won't be seen. As long as the retainers hold the fender flare and the bolts are pretty straight, you're good to go. Just guide the bolts through the holes on the Jeep, then put the nuts and washers on on the other side. If your nuts are large enough, you don't NEED washers, but why not? Here's mine:
Before:
After:
And there we have it, fixed fender flares. This is a simple write up, but not everyone knows how to fix things,so hopefully it helps someone out at some point. I'm really new here, but I thought I would contribute something.
Have fun guys!