Loose Fender

[TLightning]

Near the end of a 2000 mile, three week trip, I noticed that it looked like the front edge of the fender on the street side was loose. By the time I could find a place big enough to get off the road and check it out the first three sheet metal screws were gone.

Good item to check.

On edit: By 'fender' I mean the plastic part that protrudes slightly over the wheel wells that is held in place by seven or so screws.

[Wiarton William]

I noticed that on mine...when I removed it I noticed that it had been moved a couple of times..(to fit it right I guess) I cut some 1x2 blocks of wood and placed them inside the metal and then run the screws into them....that should keep them secure...

[stiles watson]

Have you determined cause? Did the end screw work loose and then the others follow after the wind got under the edge? Others have had a similar problem. What do you think is a good fix?

[jretz]

Had Same problem. Lost 4 screws on drivers side fender. I got some 8X1" bolts, nuts and lock washers. They fit fine and have kept put for the last 4,000 miles. It seems that between wind and bouncing the sheet metal screws work loose in the plastic they are put through. The small bolts work good I just have to put a dab of white paint on the heads.

[scattershot]

Good way to do that is to poke them through a sheet of cardboard and spray them all at once.

[clutch]

I had a similar problem only it was on the small square corners on the slides. I used a small piece of acquarium air hose. I cut it into 1/2 in pieces and screwed them on the screws that sitck out. Problem is solved for me. I will check and see if any of the fender screwes are getting loose.

[richfaa]

Same here on our winter journey lat year. Did what jertz did..Ours waa the drivers side fender skirt.

[Glenn and Lorraine]

A little Super Glue on the threads works wonders and you can still remove the screws if need be.

[Cyrus]

I have not had a problem yet. The way I read your posts, I should go ahead and fix this design problem before I have to make a repair on the side of the road. Maybe the screws are expected to hold longer then the tires, which would tear the skirts up anyway?

[ols1932]

quote:Originally posted by Wiarton William

I noticed that on mine...when I removed it I noticed that it had been moved a couple of times..(to fit it right I guess) I cut some 1x2 blocks of wood and placed them inside the metal and then run the screws into them....that should keep them secure...

That sounds like the way to go. I've noticed that mine have loosened many times and I've reinserted them using clear sealant as something just to hold the screws in the holes. But now I'm going to use some small blocks of wood behind the screws.

Orv

[richfaa]

There is just not enough behind there to hold the screws with the continued "on the road" driving that some of us give them. The answer is simple..nut, bolt, lock washer.Not cost effective from the manufacturers point of view.

[jretz]

Also found a couple of loose screws around the sewer hose storage door. Another item to add to my fix-it list.

[TLightning]

quote:Originally posted by richfaa

There is just not enough behind there to hold the screws with the continued "on the road" driving that some of us give them. The answer is simple..nut, bolt, lock washer.Not cost effective from the manufacturers point of view.

That's what I did.