removing fender stays

[kayak101]

What's the easiest way to do this w/o damaging? I removed all the bolts, but these suckers don't want to come off and I'm afraid to hit on them too hard. Is a mallet my best bet?

[Mother]

Are you talking about the rear fender struts? They have a bushing/insert that aligns them into the holes in the frame. Mine just slid out when I removed them recently, but that may be in part to living in Florida and having a more recent model year.

I would think a few whacks on the inside with a rubber mallet would get them free though.

[gilly]

If i remember correctly they have sleeves they line up on. Probably just need to bump them around some to get them to turn loose.

[kayak101]

That's what I figured. I'll give it a shot with a mallet. I didn't know if they were somehow crimped on there. Thanks.

[christok]

I have removed mine and put them back on to fit different fenders around 50 times. your sleeves are probably stuck. just use your hand once the fender is off and hit them a little from the inside and then try to move them back and forth a bit and they will eventually work themselves off. \Once they are off if your sleeves have rusted a bit sand then off with a ery fine emery cloth or use a 3m scotch pad and then put a coat of wax on them befvre putting them back in

[wadave]

Yeah, yours are just stuck. Mine pop right off with no effort. You must have some corrosion or something.