[HWYSTR455]

On my 71 LeMans, the fender has a 'slotted' hole for a plastic screw anchor, I'm guessing so it allows for front end movement without straining the molding.

On the new aftermarket replacement GTO fenders, there is no hole. Does this require a channel to be cut and to use the OE plastic 'slide' retainer, or would it be fine if it was just fastened without it?

What are others doing?

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[Kurt L71S]

Highway,
I replaced my drivers side lower patch. It did not include the "slot" for the plastic screw retainer. I simply used a cutoff wheel and made a new one....my guess as to when the slot is there...as the car flexes from driving, the front fender will move some differently from the rest....

[Hammertime Mike]

Being that your parts are already painted. You have a full frame car. So the front end movement should be very minimal. In that case, I usually place a piece of masking tape on the lower fender. Put the molding in place and mark the tape where the molding hole is. 1/8th drill bit for the hole and install the supplied screw. Please note that the plastic insert also acts as a spacer to prevent any crushing of the molding. So if you go that way , not too tight.

[HWYSTR455]

Yeah, there's a risk of cutting a slot, if you get too aggressive, the insert won't fit, for one.

I will have to look at the insert again, see how it looks. I know it's a full frame car, but it does still move. When I jack it up under the K frame area, I can see the front dip down some, and the endura pulls away about an 1/8". Guess that's why the factory made the attachment the way they did.

I guess worse-case, if I just screw right into the fender, only the molding will get damaged, maybe the screw hole, so guess that's not too bad. Was trying to figure out what others do.

Yeah, it's painted. That makes me nervous, drilling/cutting into it.

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