Rolled front lip - Fender shrink

[nhmercracer]

Afternoon everyone,

I rolled the front lip on a fender not installed on the car. This caused the fender to shrink. It shrunk in the arc of the fender lip. Is there a way to fix this, or should I bend the lip back out? I can force the fender back into shape by hand, is this the route I should take?









See how the bottom of the door gap has opened up? This fit nearly perfectly before I rolled the fender lip.

Sean

 

[nhmercracer]

I hammered the lip in from 45 degrees to about 80 degrees. I did not completely close the lip to allow an application of sealer.

I temporarily mounted the fender. A little force against the wheel arch towards the center of the car relieves the pressure.

I think I have this figured out. Still, any input would be great.

 

[MP&C]

Hard to see what you're working on (from this side of the monitor) to offer any suggestions. Pictures would help

 

[nhmercracer]

Pics up.

I rolled the lip almost to the front of the arch, and nearly to the beltline trim in the rear. Perhaps I went too far?

 

[NCCheesehead]

By the pictures, I think if you put the fasteners back in and relieve the holes a little the gaps should get better. You may have to do a relief cut on the lower lip, but it is more of a have to be there situation.

If your only rolling the lip try the baseball bat method between the fender and the tire. This is performed with the fender and wheel installed on the car. Slowly roll the bat between the tire and fender. Go slow and easy

 

[nhmercracer]

I looked at a couple of you tube videos of the baseball bat method. I think the problem is I was too aggressive, and went too far front and back. I relieved some of the roll. The fender fits much better now. For the passenger side, I will be less aggressive with the metalwork.

 

[e-tek]

Did you do this to get a biggertire in there? Looks like a stock vehicle from here. But if you're good with it as is (myabe you are putting big tires on it), then cheesehead has the right idea about splitting, opening, addding to and re-welding that bottom lip...

 

[nhmercracer]

Yes Etek, I hope to run a 235/17 in front. I have cut one coil in the front, and will cut 1/2 coil in the rear. The rear is rolled from the factory, but I may need to pull the rear some.

I'll dig out my wheels this weekend, and do some test fitting.