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 DIY: S13 Fender Unbuckling Procedures - also possible buckling prevention!
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onosqv
Q to the V



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5626 posts
'92 240sx Vert
bewbews.com OC, CA
8-7-2002

  DIY: S13 Fender Unbuckling Procedures - also possible buckling prevention!


Well, most of it anyway .

If any of you have tried to roll/flare your fenders, you know what a bummer it is when the fender buckles (almost inevitable for most 240's). I was able to fix mine w/ some new toys from Eastwood - inflatable dent poppers/removers. It gets rid of half to most of the buckle. Not perfect, but much better than doing nothing.

These pumps can also possibly be used before/during rolling/flaring to help prevent buckling, or at least keeping it to a minimal. However, I have not yet tried using it as a buckling preventer/inhibitor.

Total Project Time:
- Approximately 20-30 minutes, taking your sweet *** time

Equipment:
- Ratchet Set (10mm & 14mm)

- Heat gun (I used the Chicago Electric Adjustable Heat Gun from Harbor Freight), a hair dryer could also work but will be slower - recommended but not required

- Infrared Thermometer (not necessary, but highly recommended to prevent paint cracking)

- Inflatable Dent Remover/Poppers

Preparation:
- Locate buckle - say a final farewell to it.

Step 1: Remove Interior
- Remove your rear seat & rear quarter panels to allow access to the inside of the fender.

Step 2: Heat Up Fender
- Heating up the fenders (120-140 degrees as when rolling/flaring fenders) will help make the metal more maleable

Step 3: Pump and Sculpt
- Start pumping w/ either the large or small pump. It should pop the fender right out.

- Allow the fender to cool.

Step 4: Repeat and Alternate Pumps Used
- Deflate the pump.

- After the first time, some but not all of the buckle should be gone (depends on how badly you buckled the fender). "Heat-cycling" the fenders & pumping/popping it w/ the pump should start shaping the fender back to its original form. I did 3 cycles, which got rid of nearly all of the buckling. You can't really tell in the pictures, but a smaller less noticeable buckle is still there.

Step 5: Stuff It!
- When accessing the inside of the fender, you may have some foam cubes. You can reinsert and wedge these in between the fender and wheel well, which will help pop out some more of the remaining buckle. This isn't the professional way, but seems to work pretty well.

Step 6: Marvel at a Job Well Done
- YAY!





bew bews!
AZhitman
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51887 posts
03 G35C s/c, 93 S13 Vert KA-T, 09 Cube, 72 240Z RB25, 63 NL320, 67 WRL411, 67.5 SPL311, 68 510
Phx, AZ
4-29-2002

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Q to the V, you freakin' ROCK.

Article of the Year.



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2187 posts
Built Coupe
Lancaster PA
1-11-2006

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thanks for a write-up that will save the aesthetics of many a 240 :D job well done!



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awesomenick

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235 posts
coupe love.
wj utah
5-9-2006

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i got my 240 like this, it hasn't had anything done to the fenders. it just buckled on it's own i guess.
missionsix43

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166 posts
1989 240sx hatch ca18det
fullerton ca
12-3-2006

 « Re: (awesomenick)


you musta said "OH ****" real loud when you did that.




daconkiftador
Classified$ P0st Wh*re



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2574 posts
'92 Coupe SE, '83 Rabbit GTi
Clarkston WA
1-14-2006

 « Re: DIY: S13 Fender Unbuckling Procedures - also possib ... (brokeAs240sx)


Very nice, awesome write-up!

What if you filled in that space with that expanding foam, prior to rolling/pulling your fenders, do you think that would keep it from buckling at the time of rolling and future instances of people "leaning on your car in a bad spot?"



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6861 posts
'77 MGB CA18DET, Miata, 510
Vista CA
9-16-2004

 « Re: DIY: S13 Fender Unbuckling Procedures - also possib ... (daconkiftador)


Quote, originally posted by daconkiftador »
What if you filled in that space with that expanding foam, prior to rolling/pulling your fenders, do you think that would keep it from buckling at the time of rolling and future instances of people "leaning on your car in a bad spot?"


That's a good question. Prevention > Cure.



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3678 posts
1989 Hatchback (the first one...)
Alabama
11-25-2003

 « Re: DIY: S13 Fender Unbuckling Procedures - also possib ... (Bwana)


This is a common problem with S13 and like somebody mentioned already also happens a lot from people leaning on that weak spot of the panel. Reinforcement of that area with foam, metal plate, etc is an excellent idea.






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538 posts
1990 240sx
Beaver Co. P.A.
5-17-2005

 « Re: DIY: S13 Fender Unbuckling Procedures - also possib ... (brokeAs240sx)


You are the MAN!

thanks!



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4522 posts
Bone Stock Pignose
Just square of the Circle City
2-8-2006

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awesome writeup man
FRSport
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345 posts
FRSport.com
Santa Ana CA
12-4-2006

 « Re: DIY: S13 Fender Unbuckling Procedures - also possib ... (Bwana)


Quote, originally posted by Bwana »
That's a good question. Prevention > Cure.

That would be ideal! I actually thought about that before flaring my fenders. It may work, give it a shot. I don't have any cars to practice on right now, so I can't tell you if it works or not .

The problem I saw w/ using expanding foam is that I don't know if it would be strong enough. Furthermore, it could possibly get quite messy inside that panel . The fender will still move in & out while flaring, so I am unsure of how that will affect the expanding foam.

What I'm going to try to do on the next car is to have the pump inflated inside to hold the shape, but not be as messy as foam.




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366 posts

SoCal
9-6-2005

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You can use my car and test it out. Ill even pay you. Im serious. Haha




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onosqv
Q to the V



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5626 posts
'92 240sx Vert
bewbews.com OC, CA
8-7-2002

 « Re: (DrFtKiNg180sx)


Quote, originally posted by DrFtKiNg180sx »
You can use my car and test it out. Ill even pay you. Im serious. Haha

HAHAHA. hit me up on my email, or aim: agentsonic02.

eds13
Special Ed - Wheel/Tire Moderator



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5601 posts

We are the all singing all dancing crap of the World
11-1-2004

 « Re: (brokeAs240sx)


thats hot!!! props. nice wheel choice. lol whats the sizing on them? i have some 17x8and9+34 that i'm trying to get rid of





onosqv
Q to the V



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5626 posts
'92 240sx Vert
bewbews.com OC, CA
8-7-2002

 « Re: (eds13)


Quote, originally posted by eds13 »
thats hot!!! props. nice wheel choice. lol whats the sizing on them? i have some 17x8and9+34 that i'm trying to get rid of

16x8 +6 running 225/50R16 tires.

 

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