
Notice: James Arens (ProjectFocusFast), Rick Dring
(teamfocus) nor any other member of this site nor the site itself are
responsible for your actions. Any damages caused by you are your own
responsibility! This is simply a guide for people competent enough to remove and
/ or install their own fenders. If you do not feel competent enough to do so,
have a professional do it for you.
Notice: Fender removal /
installation is kind of a pain in the ass. I recommend that unless you have
reason to take the fenders off, leave them on. There's nothing under
there.
How to remove or install your Ford Focus' front
fenders.
Thanks to JB for the (stolen) pic of his front
fender.
Tools you'll NEED:
3/8" Drive ratchet
Short
extension
Very long (12") extension
10mm socket
8mm socket
Torx
bits
Medium-head Phillips screwdriver
Small flat
screwdriver
Tools you'll want but aren't necessary:
Jack /
stands
Lug wrench
Blanket (to lay on)
Empty bucket (to catch washer
fluid) or small plugs
Needle-nose vise-grips
Sledge hammer for when you
get frustrated (haha)
Step 1:
If you brought your jack /
stands and lug wrench, remove the wheel. This makes it a lot easier, but is not
necessary. If you have aftermarket wheels, remove all of them and send them to
me (PM me for address
). Now, remove the rocker panel cover. This will require the 8mm
socket, the Phillips screwdriver and the torx bit (don't recall what #). After
removing the rocker cover, remove the inner fender well. The bolt locations are
circled.
Step 2 (driver's side only):
Remove the washer fluid
reservoir. First, unclip the electrical connector (requires the flat
screwdriver). Next, unplug the tubes that are connected to the tank. Remove the
two 10mm bolts holding the tank in place (circled) If you removed the wheel, you
can just let the tank hang (out of the way) by the filler tube. If not, you'll
need to remove the filler (one 10mm bolt inside the engine bay, then pop it
out).
Step 3:
Here's where it gets tricky. Remove the bolts / clips that hold the
fender to the front bumper (circled). Next, remove the bottom bolt (10mm) by the
door. This was under the rocker cover, and is facing you. The long extension
will let you get a good long stroke. Now, using the 10mm socket, remove the bolt
inside the fender (middle circle by door). You'll have to get in the fender well
for this. This bolt is hiding behind a small piece of foam. This foam is
attached at the bottom of the chassis, so just pull it out of the way. The long
extension comes in handy here but is not necessary. Now, remove the upper bolt
by the door. To do this, you need (again) your 10mm socket and you NEED the long
extension. Open the door and there it is right where I circled it. Notice this
bolt is only held on by a strip of metal. I didn't put this bolt back in when I
put my fenders on because I lost the little strips of metal.
Step
4:
Now,
pop the hood and remove the final 3 bolts that hold the fender to the upper
subframe. I save these for last because they are by far the easiest to get at,
and it's easiest to hold the fender (so it doesn't fall) while removing these
three 10mm bolts (circled).
Installation:
I found the easiest way to
install is just the opposite of removal- except I did the following:
I put in
the forward-most bolt from step 4 in first, but did not tighten it all the
way.
Then I put in the bottom bolt by the door, again not all the way
tight.
Next I put in the inner fender bolt (middle bolt by door) and again
did not tighten it all the way.
Then I did just the opposite of removal,
lining up the fender before tightening any bolts down all the way. BE SURE of
correct door operation before installing the inner fender well and / or washer
tank.
How To Courtesy of
ProjectFocusFast