Tech tip: easy on/off fender liners by using replacement clips

Haelous said:

Did you buy a specific pack on Amazon?

I see multi packs on Amazon and I saw one in Harbor Freight a few days ago too.

Click to expand...

Rick Astley said:

The Bronco uses at least 3 different types of fasteners and bolts to hold on the factory fender liner. And none of them are going to be good in the long term as dirt and debris renders the factory screw clips essentially unusable.

Do yourself a favor and swap out to fender liner clips that can be opened with just a flathead screwdriver.

The Ford factory screw clip is on the left, the replacement push-clip is on the right.

Note that for use of this specific clip, I had to ream out each factory clip hole from 1/4" to 5/16". On the steel frame I then dabbed a little touch-up clear coat from a paint pen to prevent rusting. On the aluminum fenders it's not required to add the clear coat.

These clips specifically are from my days track racing a Mitsubishi Evolution. The factory aero pan was held on by 38 (Yes, thirty eight!) Screw clips and would take about 45 minutes to remove if using the original clips. Converting to using this style clip I could remove the pan in under 5 minutes.


Now for Bronco, especially with the 2.3 engine, you need to pull some or all of the factory liner on the drivers front wheelwell for oil changes. This minor modification would have that process down to seconds.

Not pictured are the horrific zinc coated machine bolts Ford uses with a threaded clip on the mouse-fur liner itself under the fender lip.

Click to expand...

Bronkers said:

The replacements have a little divot in the female flange for the screwdriver, right? Or were you just murderously stuffing the flat underneath them when you had to do your 5min aero pan pit stops?

Click to expand...

emulous74 said:

Are you serious that you have to remove a fender liner to change the oil on the 2.3?

Click to expand...

Tricky Dick said:

No not at all, I haven't had to touch the liner, just reach up from underneath the Bronco.

Click to expand...

kodiakisland said:

I just reach straight in from the wheelwell. There's a large gap in the liner and it's easy enough to reach in and do whatever needs done.

Click to expand...

Tricky Dick said:

I haven't tried that, but I'm already underneath to drop the skid and drain the oil, might as well clean the drip rail and remove the filter while I'm down there. You can do the whole thing in one trip if you don't forget anything.

Click to expand...

Tricky Dick said:

I haven't tried that, but I'm already underneath to drop the skid and drain the oil, might as well clean the drip rail and remove the filter while I'm down there. You can do the whole thing in one trip if you don't forget anything.

Click to expand...

Gabby said:

So what did you forget?

Click to expand...

Rick Astley said:

The Bronco uses at least 3 different types of fasteners and bolts to hold on the factory fender liner. And none of them are going to be good in the long term as dirt and debris renders the factory screw clips essentially unusable.

Do yourself a favor and swap out to fender liner clips that can be opened with just a flathead screwdriver.

The Ford factory screw clip is on the left, the replacement push-clip is on the right.

Note that for use of this specific clip, I had to ream out each factory clip hole from 1/4" to 5/16". On the steel frame I then dabbed a little touch-up clear coat from a paint pen to prevent rusting. On the aluminum fenders it's not required to add the clear coat.

These clips specifically are from my days track racing a Mitsubishi Evolution. The factory aero pan was held on by 38 (Yes, thirty eight!) Screw clips and would take about 45 minutes to remove if using the original clips. Converting to using this style clip I could remove the pan in under 5 minutes.


Now for Bronco, especially with the 2.3 engine, you need to pull some or all of the factory liner on the drivers front wheelwell for oil changes. This minor modification would have that process down to seconds.

Not pictured are the horrific zinc coated machine bolts Ford uses with a threaded clip on the mouse-fur liner itself under the fender lip.

Click to expand...