When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I"m not a body guy but I have a 2003 SC 430 with fender damage that requires replacements of the fender (the damage tore a hole in the metal). My deductible is $1000 (estimate was $1500) and i"m not sure it's worth it to report to the insurance company. especially because the A/C condesor also seems not to be working. It makes me sick every time I look at the fender. I can live with no A/C since it's a convertible. The car color is gold (Egyptian Sandstone actually) and has lots of rear bumper scratches and a some normal door dings but nothing major. I love the car but I'm not sure what to do since most buyers would be turned off by the fender. The mechanics are great as I"ve done ever service and it has 110K. i was thinking if I could find a fender off a similar color car that perhaps it could be replaced at the yard. I read the bumper must be removed and i wasn't sure if that was just the bumper cover or something more. If I found the part in a yard I would try to bring a body guy to pull off the old fender and put it on my car. Is this fantasy thinking? I realize even if I find the same color fender (in good shape) it won't match exactly since colors fade over time. IF someone who is a body specialist can offer their opinion, I'd greatly appreciate it. I also have it listed here.for sale. I love the SC 430.
Thanks in advance.
I am not a body shop specialist, but I have replaced a fender. It is pretty easy to do if you are diligent and make the effort to get the gaps to line up. One trick is to outline the fender under the hood with a wax pencil. This way you can align the new fender with the old fender. Fender holes are often a little bigger than they need be, so you can push the fender closer or pull the fender out a bit. If you are willing to play with it, you can get your fender perfect.
If you get an OEM fender with the factory paint job, the match will be pretty good. It probably won't be too off, but even if it is, it will still look better than it does now.
If you want, you can go to youtube.com and do a search for "Fender Replacement" and you can see what is involved.
....does the a/c not work because, of whatever happened to the fender ? If so, it might be worth your while to file a claim & get it fixed also........just a thought
I am not a body shop specialist, but I have replaced a fender. It is pretty easy to do if you are diligent and make the effort to get the gaps to line up. One trick is to outline the fender under the hood with a wax pencil. This way you can align the new fender with the old fender. Fender holes are often a little bigger than they need be, so you can push the fender closer or pull the fender out a bit. If you are willing to play with it, you can get your fender perfect.
If you get an OEM fender with the factory paint job, the match will be pretty good. It probably won't be too off, but even if it is, it will still look better than it does now.
If you want, you can go to youtube.com and do a search for "Fender Replacement" and you can see what is involved.
thank you for all your advice. I am unable to locate a factory OEM Lexus painted driver side fender. When I took it to Lexus body repair for an estimate, there was a time estimate for painting the fender. I do not believe the fender comes pre-painted I believe it comes only in black. If you know of a specific vendor that sells that part pre-painted in a eGyptian Sandstone,.....Please let me know I’ve been searching used car parts but I can’t find a fender that is gold near the Washington DC area.
Also if there are any Body specialist in the Washington DC area that would be willing to take on such a job assuming I can find the part please let me know. Thank you
If you put in a 2004 SC430 you can see there is a gold one in Florida and Massachusetts
Daryl thanks for your help. I actually have been watching this site for the last 6 months. I also saw and called on these 2 fenders, they're in bad shape. The Florida one has a bent lip and it would take 2 hours to fix (see B2 code) and the MA one is in really really rough shape (lots of mud and dings) I search that site everyweek but I don/t see too many gold fenders on it. The other problem is shipping is the same cost as the part, I really need one within a 3 hour drive of DC in good shape that is gold....and then someone to put it on (ideally at the yard). It's like a needle in a haystack!
Any one in Club Lexus with a gold SC430 parts car???? Anyone close to the DC area that IF I find the fender could install it? I really want to keep this car!
Last edited by jimaleg; Jun 8, 2020 at 08:41 AM.
Reason: spelling
Take your SC to the body shop and have them estima-te the cost of the repair. Compare with the cost of used fender, the cost of installation and your time to see if it’s worth to do it. My two cents.
10821316]Take your SC to the body shop and have them estima-te the cost of the repair. Compare with the cost of used fender, the cost of installation and your time to see if it’s worth to do it. My two cents.
As mentioned in my beginning post the estimate from Lexus was 1500 and change a junkie body shop wanted just over 1000 but I don’t really trust the guy. A fender in good condition off a used Lexus is about 250. I’m hoping I could find a body Mechanic that can do it for three hours labor or 150 bucks. Maybe I’m dreaming but that’s what I’m holding out for I hate to sell it in it’s condition. I also have a spreadsheet on every service and oil change and work I’ve done at an authorized Lexus shop. I’ve maintained it well, The problem is cosmetically my SC doesn’t look so pretty, mechanically it’s great! I would really like to trade it for one in cosmetically better shape and pay the difference if I can’t find a fender!
How difficult is it to replace a SC430 Fender?
