Results 1 to 17 of 17

Thread: Rolling Fenders

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2002
    Location
    Gainesville, GA
    Posts
    493

    Default Rolling Fenders

    When rolling fender lips for tire clearance is it generally accepted to cut the lip into smaller segments to facilitate bending or does the lip have to be left intact? Getting the intact lip rolled is proving to be a real challenge without deforming the fender.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Orlando, FL
    Posts
    1,391

    Default

    if the fender is plastic, you are specifically allowed to cut it. if it's metal, that's not supposed to happen. but if the end result is the same, and there IS rolled metal and a smooth edge all the way across, I say go for it. if there's a sharp edge, it's wrong, IMHO.

    and as always, that's only my opinion of what would be found acceptable by most, not a "legal" ruling.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2001
    Location
    Connecticut
    Posts
    7,381

    Default

    "Fenders and wheel openings shall remain unmodified. It is
    permitted to roll under or flatten any interior lip on the wheel
    opening for tire clearance."

    I would suggest, to the letter of the regs, you cannot section the fender lip to make it easier to roll. In reality it makes no difference and IMO provides no performance advantage , but doing so places you in a position that is technically non-compliant.

    GA

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2001
    Location
    Buffalo, New York
    Posts
    2,942

    Default

    As a matter of fact...cutting would only promote corrosion.

    Buy or rent a proper fender roller. A lot of the "Tuner" shops provide that tool and they work well...better than a baseball bat.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    Houston-ish
    Posts
    932

    Default

    I've rolled a fair share of fenders and never had a problem having to section any metal parts to get it to work. sometimes it takes a little extra time to work and stretch the metal, but it's doable..

    I would also be worried about cutting a tire on one of the sharp edges. it's amazing how much the tires flex in a corner and even with rolled fenders that have 1/2" clearance with the wheels straight ahead, I still have rub marks on the inside of the fenders where I rolled them. I've caught the lip a couple times on the tire and yanked the lip down, leaving a small (1/8" deep) cut in the edge of the tire. I can forsee bigger problems if you section the lip to try to get it to roll better.
    Last edited by Matt93SE; 05-02-2014 at 10:37 AM.
    Houston Region
    STU Nissan 240SX
    EProd RX7

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Feb 2002
    Location
    Gainesville, GA
    Posts
    493

    Default

    Any other tips for getting fender lips to lay flat? Gonna need all the clearAnce I can get.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    Houston-ish
    Posts
    932

    Default

    A fender roller as mentioned above will do a LOT. I've mashed the lip completely flat on the inside and even pulled the fenders about 1/4" on one car. I wouldn't say stretching/pulling them is legal in IT (I'm about 98% sure that's not OK), but it's doable with the proper roller.
    Houston Region
    STU Nissan 240SX
    EProd RX7

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Oct 2005
    Location
    In the green Honda
    Posts
    449

    Default

    Isn't pulling the fenders called "Pinto Legal"?
    Jim Hardesty
    ITC 1986 Honda Civic Diablo Rojo Verde
    Never argue your tab at the end of the night. Remember, you're hammered and they’re sober.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    FL.
    Posts
    1,384

    Default

    Add heat and large hammer inside of the lip, smash the outside.
    Reverse hammers, reapeat. drink a beer.
    Do over as the last one wil make the first one look crappy,
    Mike Ogren , FWDracingguide.com, 352.4288.983 ,http://www.ogren-engineering.com/

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Nov 2001
    Location
    Somewhere in the swamps of Jersey
    Posts
    399

    Default

    This Eastwood tool has always worked for me, and as a Spec Miata guy I've gone through my share of fenders - http://www.eastwood.com/fender-finisher-1.html
    Hero To The Momentum Challenged

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Oct 2002
    Location
    Concord, NH 03301
    Posts
    700

    Default

    I thought you just jammed a jack handle or aluminum baseball bat in between the tire and the fender, then rolled the car back & forth.

    To be fancy, and if you happen to think of it before the new fender is hung on the car, place a beach towel on the concrete floor, put the fender outside-down on the towel and start carefully hammering w/ a rubber mallet. If you're careful, this can actually be done w/o damaging the primer and get's another item in the Hitch-Hiker's Guide for how to use your towel.

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Feb 2001
    Location
    WI
    Posts
    164

    Default

    So when rolling a fender, do you put something between the flattened lip and the outside of the fender to keep it from rusting?? Seam sealer??

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Mar 2001
    Location
    Connecticut
    Posts
    7,381

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by MMiskoe View Post
    ...before the new fender is hung on the car, place a beach towel on the concrete floor, put the fender outside-down on the towel and start carefully hammering w/ a rubber mallet. If you're careful, this can actually be done w/o damaging the primer and get's another item in the Hitch-Hiker's Guide for how to use your towel.
    Just did that this week with a new fender for the STL car. Instead of a towel, I used a big fluffy beanbag chair and an orange rubber mallet from Harbor Freight. Unfortunately, I did crack the paint, but it's a race car so I'll survive with some rattle-can repair...

    GA

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Sep 2001
    Location
    hampden,ma.usa
    Posts
    3,083

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Greg Amy View Post
    Just did that this week with a new fender for the STL car. Instead of a towel, I used a big fluffy beanbag chair and an orange rubber mallet from Harbor Freight. Unfortunately, I did crack the paint, but it's a race car so I'll survive with some rattle-can repair...

    GA
    i have found a full bag of Oil-Dri a good work surface that this type of work.
    dick patullo
    ner scca IT7 Rx7

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Feb 2002
    Location
    Gainesville, GA
    Posts
    493

    Default

    All great suggestions. Thanks. Unfortunately the front fenders are the easy one. One later of thin metal that can be removed from the car. It's the rears that are a pain. Multiple layers and seams permanently attached.

  16. #16
    Join Date
    Jan 2001
    Location
    Buffalo, New York
    Posts
    2,942

    Default

    Yes...the rears are tough...that is why I recommended the tool.

    I seam seal the fronts.

  17. #17
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Posts
    29

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by ITC Racer View Post
    So when rolling a fender, do you put something between the flattened lip and the outside of the fender to keep it from rusting?? Seam sealer??
    I would suggest not racing at tracks where salt is used for deicing.

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •