On my 2000 XJ I want to remove and repaint the OEM fender flares, while trying to remove one I had 2 bolts snap off, my question is are these just studs threaded into the plastic flares? Thinking if that's the case I can just remove them and replace whatever studs that break

 

It is very common for them to snap. When I took mine off I broke all of them except 1. When I replaced them I had to grind off what was left on the steel mount. Mine where spot welded. Once I did the grinding I went to the hardware store and picked up some stainless steel nuts and bolt and some antisense and just used those. It worked like a charm.

 

So there's some kind of steel mount attached to the plastic flare?

 

the steel bracket for your flares will actually "pinch" the flare against the fender. there is also a little nub on the flare that locks into a pocket on the bracket to keep them from moving....

My experience and a more common experience after removing them is that they will not stay on... they will still periodically start to wiggle free and pop off. In some cases even fly off while driving down the road so just a heads up.

 

I found a write up on repairing the brackets, gonna remove one and see how it go's

 

As long as they are not rusty you should be OK repairing them, if not keep an eye on your rearview.

 

Lol

 

Hi NavyDoc. Just wondering how your fender flare project turned out. Mine popped off on the driver side, and I'm hoping to get it back together without too much trouble.

Also, did you just pop it back on, or do you have to start at the front and work your way back??

Thanks for any advice!

 

When taking my flare off all the bolts broke on the bracket, I ended drilling out the broken bolts and welding new ones in place. Then just popped the bracket back into the flare and bolting it on. Much more secure now. I've since sold my XJ and bought a 2001 TJ. On the lookout for another XJ though