Fender Liner Removal How To

If you want epoxy to grab as well as possible the scuff the surface with coarse sandpaper to give it "tooth" rather than just a smooth surface it can peal away from. This can significantly increase the contact area.

 

I'd like to chime in since I just removed these 6 square-bodied grommets. I used a flathead screwdriver to pop 1 side of the clip out then used my hand to wedge that side in place while I used the screwdriver to pop out the other side. You'll know when both clips have been freed then it slides right out. As someone mentioned, once you do 1 then you'll know how to handle the rest. I removed all 6 intact in about 10 minutes, (stock)tires on and straightened, parked level in the garage. The toughest grommet to remove was the 1 on the inner side of the pinch weld. These that are hard to reach, you can't simply go straight on with the flathead but instead use the side of it to pry open the clip. This is the 1 I'm referring to, top right in this pic:

I'm slowly preparing to hammer the pinch weld and then install the new liners(https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/fend-x-wheel-liners.557515/) when it arrives next week. I read horror stories with these grommets so I wanted to remove them as soon as I could lol then when I have more time, I'll remove enough of the liner to get to the pinch weld, hammer, seam seal, spray, then re-install the liners until the new liners come in.

 

Nice description. Its actially two opposite corners of each clip not the flats that are the release points. Flat blade screw driver, putty knife, awl, anything thin enough to get in there without scratching things up too badly. I just had a rear liner out again today to lower my tank/compressor. I'd like to open up the fronts, they seem to accumulate a lot of debris at the bottom that sifts down from behind the hood.

 

Thanks man and that's correct. These don't have the typical tabs where you pry at the flat parts. I just practiced on an easily reachable one and it was simple thereafter.

 

There's 2 tabs inside the clips, use a fine point to move one at a time and lift that same side out of the body.

 

I find that a painters tool works great for this since you can both push the near corner tab and slip the tool behind to pull the back corner tab. A putty knife with a 3/8" u-notch would also do the trick. As you say, pull on the liner or clip at the same time and they pop free in seconds.

 

I used two pocket screwdrivers and went in under the disc and pushed both tabs in at the same time and it came right out.

 

Damn your flexibility

 

With flashlight in my mouth and laying on my back.

 

Youre much smarter than me lol

 

@Zebinator, how is that Epoxy holding up?

 

Totally fine!!!

 

Good info all, thank you.

 

Anyone recall where this bolt goes? Just reinstalled liner and drawing a blank on the 2 longer bolts. One for each side

 

I think that goes right beneath the fender flares, closest to the cab? Or it’s the one that goes beneath the front bumper

 

I've removed fender flares from three different tacomas and that definitely does not look like a stock bolt. It is very similar to the ones on the front corner of the flares though.

 

Hey, could you elaborate a little more on the process of getting it out? I looked at it and it seems impossible to remove it without removing the fender flares! I’m referring to the rear right fender liner.

 

You do need to remove the flare. There are clips on the edge underneath the flare holding on the liner.