How to fix a cracked BX24 (Plastic) Fender

A

AJH32714

New member
Well, we got alot of snow and cold here this winter. One night I was in a hurry to get my driveway plowed, didn't look behind me as I backed up and, "clunk," I backed right into the garbage can. I didn't notice anything other than the clunk, but the next day I found a couple pieces of red plastic on the ground there. I went back and checked my BX24 and noticed the right rear taillight was broken...but looking closer I also saw that my dang fender had cracked about 3-inches.
I am buying a new taillight lens, but the fenders and rear cover are all one piece, so I do not even want to know what a new one costs! As it was cold in the barn, I brought the tractor into the garage, where it was warm. I then opened the crack a little, Crazy Glued it (using one for plastics), and then clamped it. It is hard to tell the crack is even there now, but I would like to fix it better so the crack does not open up again or get longer.
Any good ideas for a careless, newbie tractor operator??
 
Welcome to the Forum! :tiphat:

Glad you found us!

I guess I'm lucky, just broke the tail light lens on our BX, fender is ok! :pat:

Jim
 
messy...! the fenders are not cheap, but also 5-6 hours to swap out. Its not a fun process. It would probably cost 700-800 in total to pay a dealer to do it.
 
I would consider making a small plate to place under the crack and pop rivet it to the fender. Use an aluminum rivet. Yes it would not be an invisible repair but it will strengthen it so it does not split open more if the glue fails. Really all you would see is the rivet head and those could be painted orange.
 
In the ATV world you see a lot of cracked fenders repaired with zip ties. Drill a series of holes down each side of the crack and lace the ties across or in an X pattern. It works but I consider it really UGLY. It seems to be kind of an honor thing with the young guys. "Hey, I ride so hard I keep breaking my fenders".

I prefer the aluminum plate and pop rivets that cj7 mentioned. I've done several repairs with 1/16 alum. plate. It can be bent to fit any curve. When painted it blends in nicely. Looks much better than a bunch of little plastic straps.
 
I do the zip-tie thing on my ATV's.

Would a fiberglass/gelcoat repair (like what would be done on a boat) stick to the plastic?
 
How about an epoxy? I've never tried it but for an invisible crack, you are mainly wanting to strengthen the area so it does not get any bigger. I've never tried this on a Kubota fender but would suspect that some epoxy on the back side of the crack would work just fine. Or, even the ever famous duct tape repair .... put it on the back side of the fender. That would keep it together and be simple to apply.
 
CJ7 beat me to it -- mender plate.
epoxy it in place and use a couple of pop rivets to hold it there while the epoxy sets, then paint them orange.
 
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