How do I Un bend a fender lip?

[deputydog95]

Fenders weren't rolled. Car is slightly lowered. Just installed some. Bbs rs wheels. Noticed that the inner lip is bent slightly in both sides and it's scraping the outside edge of the tread on the tire.

How do I safely bend that back and then get get proper clearance?







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[DRACO A5OG]

Ouch,

Heat it up with a heat gun on low, do not leave it at one spot and use end of a rubber handled mallet.

The heat will soften the paint and metal a little so the paint will hopefully not crack. This is a long shot but try it or call DentPro, I think they can do that too???

I called them once every two years to get all my dents out.

[HarryD]

You need to roll the fender to stop that from happening or slightly raise the car ride height.

[javadog]

When pushing the metal back, use gentle pressure and move it slowly and evenly. Don't just whack it with a mallet, even a rubber one. Touch up any damaged paint, especially on the back side.

JR

[Hnichols]

That doesn't look too bad. Maybe take a very large (and long) screw driver (or wrench or piece of wood), place the end on the tire for leverage and gently pull the other end up, putting even pressure on the underside of the fender.

Yes, raise the front end a few centimeters -- very easy to do, although you might want to tweak the front end alignment afterwards.

In the meantime, be very conscious of hard turns when the front end is going over speed bumps or, more importantly, lips of driveways and garages.

[911pcar]

Doesn't look too bad.

Perhaps a few taps with a plastic or rubber mallet might do it. Wrap the head with a shop cloth.

Alternately, grab your adjustable metric wrench and gently and gradually bend it back into position. Again, wrap the jaws with some tape/rubber hose to prevent paint damage. If you're uncomfortable attempting this, leave it for your body man.

As for additional tire clearance, I'm in the camp of not rolling the lip. Depending on your car, paint may not take to bending and crack. In addition, the resultant gutter that forms can easily trap road grunge and moisture.

Instead, reduce the lip width with a sanding disk or equivalent (watch for excessive heat buildup). Realize only select portions of the lip require the full treatmen. Needed clearance on the other side isn't the same. Confirm before mods.

If not DIY, your bodyman can do both.

Sherwood

[FastCarFan]

Exactly the same thing happened to my car, on both sides. I'm going to talk with my mechanic about rolling the fenders.

[andybullen]

If the car is too low to fit the leverage arm between the tire/fender, jack the car up slightly to get it in there - just be sure it's supported well before you begin to heat it up and slowly massage it until even.... don't lift it, it looks perfect!

[Len 911]

That happened to my car also. heat the paint as suggested with heat gun on low, ( keep moving it back and forth ) jack the car up a little and use a piece of PVC pipe and put it between the fender and tire and roll it back and forth putting pressure against the tire and roll the PVC. do a little at a time and keep heating the area slowly. I rolled mine but did not roll a tight bead I did not want to trap dirt. Works like a charm

Not hard at all just take your time.
Good Luck

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by deputydog95

...............and then get get proper clearance?

Assuming front?

Experienced this problem on things like rural driveway entrances. Wheel turned a bit, a dip then an up and it can catch.

Saying this only for short term advice. Approach any driveway as straight as you can.

The lip is very malleable (plus it moves easy). Paint is at risk as discussed.

[zedsn]

This happened to me and messed up my paint. I did one side at a time and used a block of wood and a hammer and pushed the lip in in about and 8 or 10 inch radius where I though the tire might hit the lip. You will need to do something or this will happen again and the metal lip dug into my new tire tread and sliced it a little bit. Hope this helps and good luck.

[Eclectic911]

Short term repair is to use a wooden stick, like a rake or broom shaft with about
a 1" diameter. Heat the damaged area slowly with a heat gun, place stick on top of tire in the area of the damage, raise stick to damaged area & roll slowly back & forth until the metal is back to normal.
This of course is temporary, as previous poster suggested, you need to have the fender rolled by a Body shop, or you can buy a fender roller & do it yourself.

[deputydog95]

Appreciate all the replies! Car is at my shop getting the gear box massaged. Have a pro coming by the in the morning to handle the front fenders and be done with it. Thanks for all the help! Love the Pelican forum!

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[RSBob]

if this happened at its current ride height and current tire size, it will happen again. To keep this from reoccurring, you will need to take another poster's advice and mine too and roll the fenders.

[deputydog95]

Agreed. See previous post :-)

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[Jgordon]

Good suggestions above. I covet your garage.

[deputydog95]

Pro came out this morning with the fender rolling tool... Would fit on the porsche hub. Grrrrr. Back to square one. Uggghhh.

[froggert]

Originally Posted by deputydog95

Pro came out this morning with the fender rolling tool... Would fit on the porsche hub. Grrrrr. Back to square one. Uggghhh.

The standard Eastwood type roller won't fit 5x130. Need to either slot the holes (which he understandably wouldn't want to do) or make up a new mount.

[HarryD]

Originally Posted by deputydog95

Pro came out this morning with the fender rolling tool... Would fit on the porsche hub. Grrrrr. Back to square one. Uggghhh.

Go to a race shop that does 911's. They will have the correct adapter.

[IslandHopper]

1. Insert handle-first into wheel well between tire and fender.
2. Heat paint on fender lip with heat gun or hair dryer. If it's really old and original this will be of marginal benefit.
3. Roll gently back and forth using tire as leverage until dent is gone and/or you get the guts to fully roll your fenders by pulling down on the bat and using progressively fatter parts of it.
4. Drink a few cold ones.