Rubicon inner fender liner removal issues

[stl jeep]

I’m having some issues getting my fender liners removed. It looks like the liner sits underneath the flare extensions. I’ve tried drilling the metal rivets out, but it’s a total struggle to actually get them removed. The one I could get out left a giant hole, so I’m worried I won’t be able to replace it. I’m just trying to get access behind the liner and replace it when I’m done. Any thoughts?

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[YBABRAT]

I think you have listened to too many know it alls on YouTube. My Rubicon's inner fenders pull out when all the screwed in fasteners are removed. Pulled the front passenger side to remove aux battery. You need to tug good to pull from the rivets.

You can return the inner fender by sliding in place and the rivets will hold it like before.

Only one YouTube vid shows a woman demonstrating the technique... no rivet replacement needed.

 

[stl jeep]

The rivets go through the flare extension and the inner liner. I can see that with the couple I got off.
I’m hoping someone has some tips on getting those rivets out. The ones I have out are bulging pretty good and I want to make sure I can get rivets back in.

 

[Reinen]

The rivets go through the flare extension and the inner liner. I can see that with the couple I got off.
I’m hoping someone has some tips on getting those rivets out. The ones I have out are bulging pretty good and I want to make sure I can get rivets back in.

First of all, not all of the rivets go through the inner fender liner. It has notches around some of them, at least on my '21.

I removed my rivets by taking a blunt awl to the center pin of the rivet and pushing hard. This breaks the rivet so it can be pulled out. They're not reuseable anyway so there's no harm in it and it shouldn't damage the inner or outer fenders this way. Just have new rivets and a plastic riveter on hand before you start. You'll need them to reattach.

 

[stl jeep]

Thanks for the response. As far as I can tell, it looks like the rivets go through the inner liner on my 24. I’ll probably just get aggressive with the removal. If it goes bad, maybe it’s time for some aftermarket aluminum liners anyway…

 

[BobW]

It might be easier to work on (not sure) if you first pulled the whole fender flare. That's really easy.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

I started with a blunt awl and it was definitely cleaner and no damage. A little slow for me and I was fender chopping so I switched to drilling them out. Took like 3 seconds per rivet

 

[stl jeep]

Did you have issues with the rivets bulging when you drilled them out? I’m worried I won’t be able to reattach?

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Did you have issues with the rivets bulging when you drilled them out? I’m worried I won’t be able to reattach?

The rivets are ruined but if you don't go too big, they holes will be fine and you just pop in new rivets.

 

[Reinen]

Did you have issues with the rivets bulging when you drilled them out? I’m worried I won’t be able to reattach?

Plastic rivets cannot be re-used. You must destroy them to remove them. They're cheap but you do need new rivets.

 

[stl jeep]

The concern is the damage done when removing the metal rivets. Making sure I can put in new rivets that will hold when reattaching.

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