I'm removing the fender flares on my 2000 xj to paint them. I started spraying PB Blaster on them yesterday morning. I was feeling impatient today and went to check if the nuts would loosen. Guess what happened? The first one snapped. I stopped after that, because I didn't want to do any more damage. Now that I've broken one, should i just try to take them off and just not worry if they break because I'm already going to have to fix the one that's broken? Or should I wait patiently and hope I don't break any more?

I've been trying to find the best way to fix/re-attach the flares if you break the bolts and all that I've been able to find is something about drilling out a bracket and using regular nuts and bolts. If this is the best way can someone elaborate on it for me? I'm not sure what bracket this would be (haven't fully removed the flare.

 

I pulled the metal strips out and used 1/4-20x5/8 bolts with washers and nylocks.

 

Drill and replace the bolts and nuts! Those metal strips are nearly impossible to get. I threw mine away thinking I could get new..... NOT!! Now I'm working on a way to reaffix them. They all break.... nearly anyway.

 

Mine came out with a little bending. Now they're attached securely with 1/4-20s... I took my liners out though. Gotta go get a pool noodle.

 

JB Weld?

Imagine the fun the NEXT owner will have trying to get 'em off.