The front fender is secured with ten bolts to the front end, inner fender panel and A-pillar. It is not necessary to remove the headlights or door when replacing the fender. To access the underside of the fender, jack up the car and remove the front wheel,
1. Remove the side bumper trims or the entire bumper as described below. Remove the mudguard located under the wing - it is secured with twelve self-tapping screws with spacers (figure P:1). Carefully pull the splash guard out from under the fender and remove it from the vehicle.
2. Remove all wing mounting screws (figure R:2). If the screws are too tight or rusted, lubricate their threads with oil. Using an impact screwdriver is not recommended, as it can damage the inner wing panel. As a last resort, file down the screw heads and drill out the remains from the nuts.
3. The wing is attached to the front pillar with three screws, which are accessible from the back of the wing. These screws are covered with mastic, which must be removed.
4. Remove all bolts, then pry the fender away from the car body using a screwdriver or other pry bar. On early models, there is weatherstripping along the top edge of the inner fender panel and down the A-pillar. If the fender has a radio antenna, release its upper mount before removing the fender.
5. Clean the contact surfaces of the wing and body from the remains of the sealing tape and anti-corrosion mastic using a wire brush. Treat the corroded areas with a corrosion inhibitor. Treat all mating surfaces with an anti-corrosion primer.
6. On pre-1979 models, apply a bead of non-hardening weatherstrip along the mating surface of the inner fender panel and the A-pillar. Punch holes in the weatherstrip to prevent the weatherstrip from binding on the mounting screw threads.
On later models, the design of the mating surfaces has been changed so that the attachment points have raised areas on which self-adhesive zinc foil is laid instead of sealing tape. If the foil falls off when removing the wing, put pieces of sealing tape instead (sold in sets of 50 pieces, spare part # AKL 381 035 50). Make a hole in a piece of tape and lay it on the wing.
7. Apply a thick layer of protective mastic to the back surface of the wing. Do not cover the contact surfaces with mastic - this may make it difficult to align the new wing with other body panels.
8. Place the new fender in place and secure it with one screw on the inner fender panel and one screw on the A-pillar. Close the hood and door, then check the gaps between the fender and adjacent body parts by comparing them with the gaps around the other fender. Install and tighten the remaining screws.
9. Apply a thick layer of mastic along the entire joint on the back side of the wing. Smooth the mastic with a brush. The thickest layer of mastic should be in the front and rear areas, which are most exposed to water and stones thrown up from under the wheels. Replace the mudguard (if available).
10. Install the radio antenna on the right front fender (the new wing already has a corresponding hole). Make sure the antenna wire grommet is properly installed in the inner fender panel - this is where water can get in and cause corrosion.
11. Install the side bumper trim or the entire bumper into place (depending on the model).
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