How Do You Remove Struts/Rear Fender?

[richards6402]

I need to remove my struts in order to get some scratches out of my struts. My sissy bar worked loose and scratched them. I only see two bolts on each side. Are there any hidden?

Anyone have any suggestions for getting the scratches out? I am thinking about using wet 1500 sandpaper and then polish it. Also thought about using Blackfire Fine or Heavy Cut Aluminum Cleaner.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[jaggerz]

I believe there are 3 bolts on the inside of the rear fender to each side of the strut. If I remember correctly they are a torx head. You will probably have to remove the rear tire to attach a bit on them as there is not enough room otherwise.

 

[RADAMS445]

On my mastiff you just have the 4 bolts(2 on each side)and the fender comes off with the struts.Very simple, but remember to disconnect the tail light connector.
I use a professional buffer with a 10in. pad and brown rouge.Will remove the deepest of scratches. It takes practice to know how much pressure to apply , and then to use different rouge to dress the wheel to achieve the perfect finish-MIRROR LIKE!!

 

[RADAMS445]

The struts do disassemble once the fender is removed, but take caution not to pull the wires when disassembling the directionals.they go through the struts. Kind of a shitty design because of the connector removal. Also note: When struts are removed exercise extreme caution because of paint being disturbed from pressure of the stut over time.

 

[PacoPetty]

I had to remove my rear tire to get my struts chromed. There were at least 4 to 5 bolts on the inside of the frnder.

 

[Raywood]

I had to remove my rear tire to get my struts chromed. There were at least 4 to 5 bolts on the inside of the frnder.

No need to remove the tire. Just loosen the two frame bolts and remove the rear ones and this will allow you to rotate the fender up where you can remove the inside fender bolts. Easy to do.

 

[richards6402]

Thanks guys for all of your responses. I really appreciate it and enjoy this BD forum. Others please feel free to continue with your opinions. They ALL are appreciated.

 

[linx]

Hi there,
I just took my struts off not long ago (couple of weeks) to replace them with the struts that will take the sissy bar

Here's the low down.
#1. Lift Seat
#2. Unplug wire harness under seat.
#3. Remove 4 bolts (2 on each side) where the struts attach to the frame.
#4. Lift the whole assembly...fender and struts off and put on a soft surface.

Now to remove them totally you have to disassembly the rear tail light and pull the wires out of the connector, which is a total pain in the ass. If it were me I would either take the rear fender off and polish the struts, or just loosen the struts from the fender (3 bolts on each side) and leave the struts dangling from the fender. I will probably never remove mine again just b/c of the pain of the tail light LED harness.

Hope this help,
Rob

 

[richards6402]

Thanks Rob! I am going to share your ideas with a buddy who is going to get the scratches out with rouge. I have never worked with that stuff and RADAMS45 said above you have to know how much pressure to apply, etc. But I am going to see if you idea will help us. Thanks again.