Darien

I'd like to go with a wider tire, but I'm affraid they'll rub. Can someone that has rolled their fenders give me some advice on how to do it without making a mess of the curve or cracking the paint.

I only need an inch more clearance.

mark kibort

an inch is a lot, but not to start with on a stock car.

first take off the tire and bang with a rubber mallot the fold at the edge of the fender. after you get that started, put the wheel back on and use a wood baseball bat to roll the fender. do it in small stages and you will not have cracking or duck-billing. but BE CAREFUL to keep the bat vertical as much as possible. have a partner drive the car in forward and reverse to roll the fender. makes for a more smooth roll result.

mk

Ketchmi

Or take it to a professional.........

mark kibort

so it turns out like this. (using a bat by the way)

blau928

Hey MK,

I can say that your bat rolled fenders looks quite good, and that as a result, I tried it on mine. I am able to fit 295's without rubbing, no problem.. I even used the handle of the rubber mallet, and not the bat to roll the lip...

Maybe it's in the careful rolling that gives the results...! I would also say that the offset of the rim has to be correct, or adjusted with hub centric spacers for a great fit.

Darien,

It looks like you are using Cup II wheels which may have 55mm offset, in which case, you need the inch on the outside. If you were using a higher offset rim you would need less rolling to clear, as the wheel would be more on the inside...

Cheers,

Darien

Richard, did you have someone in the car pulling foward and aft? Any pics?

blau928

Darien,

I did not have anyone drive back and forth. I took the mallet handle and very carefully rolled the lip by pressing against the tire and the lip at even intervals. I did not want to bulge the wheel arch, I just wanted to clear the lip so that the tires did not rub on the outside lip. Thi insides are fine, and easy to adjust with a spacer if you are too close. this is why it pays to get the correct offset wheels.

The pic attached is not very good, but I was running 295/30-18 rear on 10X18 ET65 and 235/40-18 front 18X8 ET50 OE Porsche Lightweight wheels using Conti Sport Contact 2 tires whe the pic was taken.

Cheers,

blau928

PS.... If they did not rub here, then they should not rub onthe street..

Mark

When rolling - it is wise to use a hair dryer to keep the paint warmed up. Helps to prevent paint cracking.

Darien

Thanks, I'll let you know what happens