Fender Spear Potential Rattle

[RDKeysor]

I find one of the chrome decorative "spears" on my car, the right front fender bit, is loose at the rear end, and a potential rattle. With the RF wheel off and looking up inside the fender, I see two round pieces perhaps 1/4" long that somehow attach the spear. I was tempted to remove the panel inside the wheel well to better reach that location, but decided it likely wouldn't come out without a lot of work. So, are these round pieces threaded, and can they be snugged up enough to eliminate the potential rattle? The spear on the other side of the car is snug

 

[roscoe]

I might be wrong but I think there are two styles out there. One has 2 plain welded on studs with no threads, similar to the air vent covers in the BN2 I have. These would be secured with press on stamped metal thngies that are concave slightly with tangs on the holes in then such that they grip the smooth studs and act as a clamp. The other style has threaded studs and takes nuts. Either way to tighten them you'd need to get to the back side unless you can wiggle into the small gap where tge spear doesnt quite cover the vent. In a pinch you could probably stop the wiggle with some clear silicone injected underneath. Clear packing tape won't get you any concourse points but it might kerp your spear from departing until you can fix it.

 

[jimmyr]

The non threaded type are called Tinnerman clips in the US, and are either round or square. You will need a helper to hold the spear firm against the fender while you push the round fastener tight around the stud.

 

[RDKeysor]

Thanks. That makes sense, but even with the wheel removed I found I couldn't reach the rear fitting. With someone holding it tight on the outside, as Jimmy recommends, I may be able to reach the fitting with a pry bar. As an alternative, I may end up putting a bit of a wedge under the "spear" to tighten it.

 

[HealeyRick]

On my BJ7, I was able to access the rear nut by reaching down over the top of the fender (it's a stretch). See if you can spray some pb blaster etc on the nut as they can seize and will snap the threaded stud off easily.

 

[RDKeysor]

I definitely couldn't reach the fasteners. I had someone hold the spear against the fender while I levered against the fasteners to no avail. Ultimately I slipped a bit of plastic under the lower edge of the spear, snugging it. Thanks for the responses.

 

[AUSMHLY]

There is a product called dumb dumb, which I believe is rubber brutal. (Body shops use it). it's black and sticky, consistency like silly putty.
I used it behind the chrome finisher on the top of my BJ8 door to keep it in place.
It is plyable, never hardens. You might be able up push some up under the spear, then wipe away any that shows afterwards.
Pretty sure if you drove to an auto body shop, they would give you a little for free. About a nickels worth.
Good luck with the issue.