Fenders

The fender (3) is shown in the illustration together with attached parts:
1 – rear end trim;
2 – wheel arch liner.

Only the front fenders are removable. The rear fenders are welded and are not a job for home mechanics.

Removing the Front Wheel Arch Trim
PROCEDURE

Remove the corresponding front wheel.

Remove the plastic dowel at the very bottom on the rear edge of the bumper.

Remove the bumper side covers from the brackets on the fender. To do this, press the bumper downward at the fastener height and at the same time pull it away from the body.

Unscrew all fastening bolts/nuts of the wheel arch trim (wheel arch liner).

Remove the plastic dowels of the front bolt.

At the front, unscrew the fastening nut of the wheel arch liner.

Turn the quarter-turn fastener at the connection with the lower engine compartment guard 90° counterclockwise (to the left).

Remove the wheel arch trim via the spacer bolt and push it inward from the outer contour of the wheel arch.

When installing, tighten the plastic nuts and Phillips-head bolts very carefully, otherwise the plastic threads may be stripped!

Removing the Fender
PROCEDURE

Remove the wheel arch liner.

Remove the bumper.

Unscrew one Phillips-head screw, or the Torx-head screws, along the lower edge of the fender at the front and rear.

Unscrew the screw below the bumper cutout.

At the rear of the wheel arch, unscrew the screw from the crossmember, and one more slightly lower.

Open the front door.

Unscrew the bolt above the hinges.

Unscrew the hex bolts along the upper edge of the fender; remove the foam seal beforehand.

Remove the fender.

Installing the Fender
PROCEDURE

If a new fender is installed, remove the bracket and rear end trim from the old fender and rivet them (in a workshop) to the new one.

Remove the remains of the sealing tape along the rear edge of the fender mounting.

Apply a new sealing strip (part number AKD497 010 04R10) with a diameter of 7 mm.

Install the fender.

Set the gap to the hood with the fender upper mounting bolts not tightened. It must be 4.5–5.5 mm.