dnwong

I just rolled my fenders to make room for larger tires. I notice that the lip on the early 996's where double sheet metal thick. That is probably where the inner fender is mated to the outer fender.

As I rolled the fender, I heard a spot weld pop. I rolled the lip in to a u-shape.

What I noticed the edge of the inner fender lip is slightly exposed from rolling.

Attachment 929796

The pic is not clear. However, the black on the top is the outer fender lip and the white/silver in the middle is the inner fender protruding out.

As a result, there is not paint in the newly expose edge where the two panels shifted. Since panels are galvanized, should I be concerned about rust?

If so, how should I protect the metal.

Paul Waterloo

I'm going to say that this guy will know the answer:

johnireland

Is there any earthly mechanical reason to bend the body of your car so that you can squeeze a tire that is normally too large for your car, onto it? I mean where does this end up..."BigFoot" Porsches?

The factory designed and built the car so that it is capable of doing 170+ mph dead stock out of the box on 17" rims. What are you trying to accomplish that will improve on that? The damage you have done to the body is no different than if you had an accident and the repair was second rate.

A girl once told me about walking into a famous singer's dressing room and finding him stuffing sweat socks into his underwear before he went on stage. Didn't help his singing any but I guess he liked the look. That is what this obsession with big wheels reminds me of.

p.vanderlinden

Use some high quality marine or automotive gasket silicone and cut the end of the squeeze tube at the very tip so that the hole is small, like 1/16". Point it in between the separated metal panels and squeeze and drag it along the seam to (hopefully) fill. Sort of a pressure fill type thing. I wouldn't worry too much about the structural loss of a few spot welds.

John, Nice pic, you look a lot like your dad!

Cheers,
Paul - Vintage Prep!

white out

You do realize that the factory produces cars for the masses and people modify those same cars to meet their personal needs.

white out

Get us a better picture. That is awful.

You can hit the bare metal with some spray paint or touch up paint. While the metal is galvanized, paint offers protection to the bare metal.

A popped spot weld between the rolled fenders will have zero effect on your car.

p.vanderlinden

I should have mentioned that, dab some self etching galvanized primer on any bare metal.

Hurdigurdiman

I have to agree wholeheartedly with the comments of John Ireland. WHY WHY WHY. I think a large dick should be in there somewhere. Oh Lord give me strength. You have to be the minus side of 25years of age to be making moves like those.

p.vanderlinden

Actually there is a factory 996 update sent to all dealerships that specifies the exact procedure of bending and precisely where to CUT the metal flange near the bumper to fender interface that is the first area to rub on the rear. Specifically written for owners who want to fit slightly larger than stock wheels.

alpine003

Because Stance...

JD ARTHUR

I easily understand the desire to customize for many different reasons and I'm on the plus side of seventy. Everybody has different tastes, to some its unforgivable to alter anything stock. To others stock in no way means its the best. I like the way the body looks and I like the 18 inch wheels, John seems to like the 17inch wheels, the OP likes bigger so he modified the car to fit, I say good, its his car and he should make it the way he likes it. The answer to WHY, WHY, WHY, is because he likes it, my question is WHY NOT?

Chiamac

Nothing lasts forever, and more power to someone if they want to change things up, keep it stock, or drive it off a jump. It's their car, and who are we to tell anyone what to do with their stuff? I'm not at all saying we have to like what's done, just that they have a right to do it.

dnwong

I heard about that TSB. Anyone have a link to it?

dnwong

Besides, 10-15 years ago, the technology for bigger and wider tires was at its infancy, so manufactures used what was reasonable. Now, bigger tires and wheels are the trend, and car manufactures are putting much larger shoes on.

dnwong

Actually, I am 50. But that is how the car came and I like the look and how it performs. So, I just trying to tweak to avoid potential problems. The car only bumps when hitting a dip at speed; so not that often and good tires are expensive.