Removing Front Wing

[DerekW]

I have a massive leak from the windscreen washer reservoir on the V6, so decided to take the wing off to improve access. Did a search on wing removal and came up with some good advice but it doesn't quite gel with what I've found on my car.

This is what I've done so far:
Removed sidelamp and undid bolt inside sidelamp aperture. Removed two bolts from rear of wing (door on first catch). Removed four bolts from top of wing (three coarse pitch, one fine). Pulled out liner for access and removed bolt inside at back. Removed plastic side extension at top rear by lifting up and outwards; large plastic bracket underneath is riveted to plastic trim crosspiece and bolted through wing with two tork screws - removed. Removed two large bolts from side of front cross member (that carries the bonnet lock). The wing now has to be lifted up to free it and seems to be held by one final bolt at the front. Removed small rubber sealing bung but that doesn't expose anything, tomorrw intend to free the liner at the front, I'm sure that will expose whatever is holding it.

Have I missed anything?

Derek

[xmexclusive]

Hi Derek

There is quite a large metal tag on the bottom side of the front wing near the front. This tag has a hole in it, fits on an outrigger from the chassis and the 13mm bolt holding the back ear of the bumper passes through it. This bolt has its head at the engine bay end making it difficult to get at. Access to the bolt is possible through the oval slot in the front of the wheel arch liner but also from underneath if the front end is well up in the air. The key point is that this bolt and the metal plate it screws into on the bumper are often heavily rusted so give the bolt a good treatment with WD40 and let it soak before you apply too much force. Repairing/replacing the bumper end plate is not an easy job.

Regards

John

[carlos774]

Hi Derek,
Er, you don't seem to mention the bolt to the bumper ?. Should be able to see it if you remove the liner ,but there is on mine a reasonable sized bung at the front of the liner that allows access. There's also a small clip on mine at the lowest point at the back where the wing fits to bottom of the body by the sill.
Hope this helps.
Cheers, Carl

[DerekW]

Thanks John and Carl,

Tomorrow should hopefully see it off with your advice. Problem as always is doing the job without scratching or denting that pristine wing.

Derek