Stu 1986 Posted February 20, 2015 Share Posted February 20, 2015 Hello Chaps,As some of you may know I've been having issues with the rear tyres rubbing on my arches, and it looks like only way to get them some clearance is to remove some of the lip from the rear arches. I just wondered if anyone has done this, and if so any advice or technique tips would be appreciated. I've been told flap wheels on an angle grinder is better to use than a grinding disc, has anyone else found this? I'm only going to get one shot at this, and I'll have to be Uber careful as one slip of the grinder and that's my Gucci paint job ruined. How much would be reasonable to grind back? Someone said a lowering block might be an alternative option, but seeing as the car is already fairly low dropping the rear might ruin the nice stance the wheels I've fitted creates (5.5J Cobra Super Slots). Also my drive way consists of two slopes before I reach the road, and I'd be apprehensive of catching anything if the car was lower again. ThanksStu. 8) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Garvey Posted February 20, 2015 Share Posted February 20, 2015 Couldn't you 'roll' the arches? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
herald948 Posted February 20, 2015 Share Posted February 20, 2015 I'm with Paul; rolling them likely would be easier. It would also be less "vicious" and less damaging. Often, careful "rolling" won't even harm the paint, and it won't affect the strength of the structure, either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheepy Posted February 20, 2015 Share Posted February 20, 2015 I agree with the others, roll them.Do a search on YouTube for arch rolling, it's quite easy, just take your time and it will be fine.You could even make your own roller, using a skate board/roller skate wheel! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roger.england Posted February 20, 2015 Share Posted February 20, 2015 I marked an arc on the return lip of the rear wings on my Vitesse and then carefully used an angle grinder to remove metal to the marked line. A quick rub with fine grade emery paper took off the slight rough edge. I then painted the edge created. No damage to the wing paint work and wheel rubbing had disappeared.Roger Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nang Posted February 21, 2015 Share Posted February 21, 2015 I went the other way in the Spitfire..went down a tyre size on the back (running MGF wheels) No more rubbing.Tony. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stu 1986 Posted February 21, 2015 Author Share Posted February 21, 2015 I never knew of the rolling techniques, I've had a look and there are companies out there that'll do the rears for £80 the pair. If be happy to pay that, because if I tried to roll them it will go wrong, the car will be ruined and I'll be heartbroken. What I need to do next is have a good inspection of the rear arches and check they're in suitable enough condition for rolling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
esxefi Posted February 21, 2015 Share Posted February 21, 2015 how thick is the material on the wheel hubs?you could have a small amount machined off to move the wheel inwards slightly altering the et spacing.watch for clearance around the radius arm area and shocks, etc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Painterman Posted February 21, 2015 Share Posted February 21, 2015 I used grinder on rear arches on my lowered vitesse took off about half inch, if you mark it and take your time it's easy enough I have 7j on mine with no issues Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD Posted February 21, 2015 Share Posted February 21, 2015 Not cheap, for a one-off exercise, but there us a special tool to do this that isn't as crude as grinding the edge away.See: http://www.frost.co.uk/hand-wheel-arch-fender-forming-roller-tool.htmlJOhn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Posted February 21, 2015 Share Posted February 21, 2015 Good call john...... cheaper on ebay too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkB Posted February 21, 2015 Share Posted February 21, 2015 I recently did mine. I don't think you could roll them. Its double skinned where the inner meets the outer and very rigid and it think you would distort the wing. I am sure a skilled panel beater could dress them but it is finding that skilled panel beater. I marked mine and then very carefully trimmed with a thin cutting disc. I am in the process of bolting the restored parts onto the chassis so to make things easier I unbolted the rear tub again, took it off the chassis and flipped it over. Could be done in situe if raised high enough with the wheels off. I need a lot of clearance and may have to still flare the arches slightly, but will trial fit again add some weight to induce a bit of negative camber and see how it goes. Like I said I have taken it to the limit and carefully welded up the lip as cutting it this close will create a gap between the two skins. You probably won't have go this far and you really only need to trim the top centre where the wheel can catch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spider Posted February 21, 2015 Share Posted February 21, 2015 Loads of vids on youtube. Here's a couple.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSwg8fcR5Eohttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZEgi-Fa6Hw Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrSpeedy Posted February 22, 2015 Share Posted February 22, 2015 I took a slightly more extreme method Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD Posted February 23, 2015 Share Posted February 23, 2015 Difficult to see in that pic, Speedy, but is there a small wheel arch extension there?I could do with some for my fronts (relax all originalists - GRP bonnet) with 6J 185x60s and spacers to clear the 2-pots.John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oil_on_the_carpet Posted February 23, 2015 Share Posted February 23, 2015 JohnD wrote:Difficult to see in that pic, Speedy, but is there a small wheel arch extension there?I could do with some for my fronts (relax all originalists - GRP bonnet) with 6J 185x60s and spacers to clear the 2-pots.JohnCandy Box?I reckon fibre glass MkI Escort arch extensions might be near the mark. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD Posted February 23, 2015 Share Posted February 23, 2015 I wish,00TC, I wish!It was on sale a few years ago, but beyond my means. Safe in the USA in the hands of Butch Gilbert. That's a new pic, to me anyway. Where from?And thnask for the tip.John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oil_on_the_carpet Posted February 23, 2015 Share Posted February 23, 2015 Here ya gohttp://retrorides.proboards.com/thread/111907/lime-rock-vintage-racingBack in the day cutting and shutting the Mk1 Escort fibre glass bubble arch was the 'go to' option on many cars for a bit of flare. £69 a set?http://www.car-body-kit.co.uk/ford_escort_mk1.htmlSome more ideas, they certainly look like cut up Escort oneshttp://s18057203.onlinehome-server.info/cars/kastner-brophy-vitesses/www.triumphspitfire.com^images^race^racevitesse1.jpg/slotcarillustrated.com^portal^forums^showthread.php%20t=52332/http://www.slotcarillustrated.com/portal/forums/showthread.php?t=52332A google image search for Triumph Vitesse race car brings up some interesting things including yourself hooning it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrSpeedy Posted February 23, 2015 Share Posted February 23, 2015 Yes John, Approx 3" extensions on the rear and 2" on the front Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheepy Posted February 23, 2015 Share Posted February 23, 2015 JohnD wrote:Difficult to see in that pic, Speedy, but is there a small wheel arch extension there?I could do with some for my fronts (relax all originalists - GRP bonnet) with 6J 185x60s and spacers to clear the 2-pots.Johnhe beat me to it John, but he needs the arches for those ooh soooo lurvely wide steels! There was a full build thread on retro rides I think if I'm correct, some nice work, and a nice chap.I am going to get my steels widened by him when I'm at that stage of the build! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spider Posted February 23, 2015 Share Posted February 23, 2015 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stu 1986 Posted February 23, 2015 Author Share Posted February 23, 2015 I'm not going to go through the flaring route, I just want those few mm's off the arch lip so my wheels can function correctly. I'm going to have a look at them this week to see what my options are, probably be Wednesday. It literally is mm's which is so annoying. They don't catch the bonnet unless the wheel is on full lock, which I won't be doing too often anyway. The bonnet is a totally restored item with brand new wings fitted, so it would be a case of rolling the lip flush with that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oil_on_the_carpet Posted February 24, 2015 Share Posted February 24, 2015 Just changing the tyre brand can gain you that amount. Some tyres are more squat and 'broad' for their stated size. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stu 1986 Posted February 27, 2015 Author Share Posted February 27, 2015 OK I had a look today and took a couple of snaps. I'm a but dubious about whether or not these wheels are going to fit, even if I roll the arches. Looking at the bonnet, which I didn't take a snap of regrettably, they've been rubbing there too. :( What do you guys think? It is going to break my heart if I have to sell these on. :'( (And I'm sorry if the pictures are too big for the post!! I'm not too good at resizing. :B ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oil_on_the_carpet Posted February 28, 2015 Share Posted February 28, 2015 Cobra superslots?I had them originally on the Vitesse but they sat out a lot and touched unless I ran 165 section tyres.genuine Wolfrace 5.5's come in a slightly inset as well as the same outset as Cobras flavour that should fit better. They sit in about .25" compared to the regular ones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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