This is a how to explaining how to remove the side front quarter panel on a first generation Neon. As with all of the Carbone Racing and Neons.org how to's, we are not responsible for any physical harm that you yourself may incur nor any damage to your vehicle. This is to show you how we did this, and to serve as a guide if you need to as well.
Tools:
10 mm socket
9 mm socket
T-25 hex key
up to 12" of extension for the ratchet
Jackstands
Time to Complete:
An hour or so.
Difficulty (1 = easy, 12 = tough):
3 beers
Here we go:
1) You need to remove the wheel from whichever side you are working on first. Jack up the car and remove the tire. If we need to explain how to do that, please close this window and do not even think about working on your car. Once the car is securely on jackstands, open your hood (or for those of you wimpy non racers with the hood latch, "pop" your hood ;-) )
2) Overview pic Use the 10 mm socket and ratchet to remove two bolts on top of the panel. Bolt #1,
3) Use the T-25 hex key to remove the plastic molding down by the bottom of the wheel well. There are two screws, one near the top and one near the bottom. Top screw, Bottom screw. Next there are four screws holding the plastic to the front bumper. Remove all of them and then pull the plastic off. You can see the four holes in this picture: Bumper Screws
4) There are two 10 mm bolts on the bottom of the fender, near where the door is. Remove both of these. Bottom bolts
5) There is a 10 mm bolt about parallel with the bottom of your spring. You can see it if you stand by the front of your car. Remove that bolt. bolt
6) There is a bolt which you can only reach if you open your door. So, open your door and use an extension on the 10 mm socket to remove it. Door bolt
7) Find and remove the 10 mm bolt near the windshield washer fluid reservoir (1995 anyway). Reservoir Bolt Before you can fit a socket, or even a wrench in to get this bolt out you need to remove the funny looking piece of black plastic in the way. This piece simply slides out. Piece of Plastic
8) In the wheel well, near the rear of it, you will find two 9 mm bolts which need to be removed. 9 mils
9) Next we need to take off the front bumper cover. This is fairly easy as it's held in place by four bolts, and the screws removed in step 3. There are four 10 mm bolts holding the bumper cover to the metal bumper support, you can see the holes in the support and the bumper cover in the pic. Bumper Cover. You don't need to completely take the cover off! You can simply pull it out about six inches and let it rest on a box or something. You just need to be able to get below the headlight assembly. You may have to remove the side turn signal bulb before pulling the cover forward.
10) Find and remove the 10 mm bolt below the headlight assembly. Headlight Bolt.
11) There are two 10 mm bolts on top of the headlight assembly which hold it to the frame. Remove both of these (sorry, no pic at this time). There are also two 10 mm bolts on the side of the headlight assembly, by the turn signal. If you have the front "grill" piece, you'll need to remove that to get to these bolts. Remove both of these as well (again, sorry no pic at this time).
12) After you remove all the headlight assembly bolts, pull the headlight forward a few inches. You shouldn't need to completely remove the assembly, nor unplug the light bulb. Behind the assembly, is the last 10 mm bolt which needs to be removed. You will need an extension to get to this bolt as well. You may or may not need someone to hold the panel up as you remove this bolt. Last bolt
