Date: Sun, 08 Apr 2001 19:41:04 -0400 From: Rob Levinson * UUC Motorwerks Subject: Re: [uuc] Help w/rolling the fenders on my E30 There are tools from companies like Haweka thay bolt to the hub and roll the fenders as perfectly as possible. Last I heard, Haweka stopped making the tool and while TireRack lends it out, you could wait a year or two on their list. Many people will try to carefully roll the fender lip with a bat stuck in and wedged against the tire. It works, but with mixed results. I've done it twice. If you're really serious about maximizing your fender area and do not wish to bend your fenders, I would suggest something a little more radical but ultimately better and safer: shave your fenders. I had this done to one car and did another myself. Use an air-powered rotary cutter and slice out 1/4" of metal from the fender lip. Touch up the exposed metal to protect against corrosion. While it does sound extreme, consider the comparative advantages: shave: no paint cracking. roll: risk of paint cracking. shave: visible part of fender guaranteed to remain shaped correctly. roll: hitting your fender with a baseball bat... do the math. shave: exposed metal edges can be protected with primer or rust-converter paint. roll: cracks in paint _and_ undercoating on other side of metal let in and hold water. Rust has a field day. shave: clearance easy to make perfect and clean. roll: hit-or-miss technique may require several attempts. To lend the idea even more credibility, Dinan shaves fenders on some cars (and they do a damn good job!). - - Rob Levinson '94 M5 3,8 Touring > From: bill@noren.com > Subject: [uuc] Help w/rolling the fenders on my E30 > > Hello fellow Bimmers, > > Well, I finally did the deed and bought a new set of wheels and tires from > the nice folks at Tire Rack (so far, I highly recommend them). I went up to > 16" on my 1990 325i and now I need to roll the fenders. As I have never > done this before, but I'm rather handy in the garage, can anyone offer any > suggestions? I did see something about using a hairdryer to warm the paint > to prevent chipping and cracking, that sounds reasonable and that some folks > have used baseball bats. Any others? > > Thanks in advance!! > > -Bill Noren > 1990 325i.....Sharked.....Shortshifted.....Lowered w/Bilsteins & > Eibach.....K&N drop-in.....Hellas > Soon: 16" wheels and a lovely 4.10 LSD - Ooo!