Q Fender Rolling

[96'er]

Has anyone successfully, other than buying or renting the Eastwood system, found a cost effective way to roll the rear fenders?

I installed the Cali Custom springs in my car and the rears are rubbing. I have read some of the post here and the most important thing is apply heat before and during the rolling process. But I have read about individuals using bats, hammers and PVC pipe, all on vehicles other than the Q.

I know that a number of people have used lowering springs and I would like to hear if anyone else is having a similar problem and how they dealt with it.

Thanks.

[maxnix]

Rolling the fender does weken it, but if you must, TR has a nice tool.

[Trumpkin]

My cali's don't rub. Depends on wheel and tire size though.

[96'er]

TR?

[96'er]

Running 245/45/18's in the rear. They are a bit snug.

[Trumpkin]

I'm running 235/40/18

[qship96]

Running 245/45/18's in the rear. They are a bit snug.

With the lowering springs and 18 inch wheels, how is the ride on rough roads and bumps/expansion joints compared to stock?

[Trumpkin]

Quite frankly, mine is really rough. But mine is also a garage queen. Sitsa lot. No rain. At times when I do hit a hard spot I worry about breaking a spring or other part. I think someone did that here once.

[96'er]

Trumpkin: the reason your 235 tires aren't rubbbing is because they are 6 mm narrower that the 245 tires I have on my car.

qship: You will and do feel the rough roads and expansion cracks and joints, particularly on overpasses.

[Rex]

TR?

Tire Rack would be my guess.

There's a guy on NICO that rents an Eastwood roller and heat gun

Also a good search should turn up an in-depth how to on DIY fender rolling.

Which G35 wheels are you running? I only ask, b/c you might be rubbing the inner plastic fender lining when you go over larger bumps, not the tire/fender lip. I ran several different 350 & G35 wheels on my Q's (stock and lowered - Eibachs) and rubbed the plastic, not the metal.

[Rex]

Couldn't fin the original post, but here's where it was quoted

No offence, but why pay someone to do something so easy?

Here's what you need:

Hammer, small propane torch, a shop rag and patience.

Step 1: Simply take your wheel off, heat up your fender lip with the propane torch (make sure it's a low flame, and you keep it moving over the area you are going to be rolling) Using a torch is not necessary, however, it will help prevent paint chipping/cracking during the process. (On that note I was able to stretch my s14 fenders out about 10mm WithOut cracking the paint at all by using this method, and a eastwood fender roller) *Also, remember you have a plastic fender liner on the rear aswell as the front, I would suggest removing it, however, if you want to keep it on just be aware it's there when using the torch.

Step 2: Take a shop rag and place it over the end of the hammer you will use to hit the fender lip with, this will also help prevent paint chipping.

Step 3: Begin to tap the fender lip upwards, I've found that Q45's have some pretty stout metal here (in the rear), and it may take a little force (here's where the patience comes in) but, take your time and go slow it will roll just fine. If your doing the front fenders, it'll be a breeze, the metal is very pliable.

After a couple min, reheat the fender, as the metal will move easier when it hot, and the paint will have much much less tendancy to crack.

That being said, I know there are a lot of scarry words in this post like hammer and torch, however, I've done this many times and on 2 different Q's (a G50 and a Y33) and both turned out great. Don't let those scarry words throw you, it's very easy and can turn out great if you take your time (can't stress take your time enough..lol)

I have an eastwood fender roller, and I prefer this method simply becuase I've found it's faster and easier.

I wouldn't suggest using a bat, but if you do please heat your fenders before doing so.

<NOTE: Added some bold for emphasis.>

[96'er]

I did find the guy that has the Eastwood system for rent.

As far as I can tell the rear tires are rubbing the inner lip of the fender, so it does not look like I need to do any aggressive fender rolling.

The G35 wheels are off a 2003 model.



Rex have you had any problems with strange tire wear in the rear since you lowered the car?

[Trumpkin]

Trumpkin: the reason your 235 tires aren't rubbbing is because they are 6 mm narrower that the 245 tires I have on my car.

I said that in post 3!

[Rex]

I did find the guy that has the Eastwood system for rent.

As far as I can tell the rear tires are rubbing the inner lip of the fender, so it does not look like I need to do any aggressive fender rolling.

The G35 wheels are off a 2003 model.



Rex have you had any problems with strange tire wear in the rear since you lowered the car?

I never kept any of the OEM wheels long enough to see wear

Though, IIRC, those are 18x8 +30 all around and should not stick our as far as the 350Z (Z33) Track wheels (18x8.5 +33), nor the BBS 18x9 +35) both with 245/45's.

Here's the Z33's (Had these on both Black Q's)



The BBS's (Had these on both the IPQ and 2nd Black Q)





So, I'm surprised you're rubbing ... and I no longer own a Q45.

[jltibbs]

I still have the Murano wheels that Rex Gave me with the Q I got from him. When I got it there were 245 45 18's all around, So when I replaced them, I went with that same size. I am running Eibach's with no rub at all. How old are your struts and did you put the springs on OEM struts? That is a

[Rex]

I still have the Murano wheels that Rex Gave me with the Q I got from him. When I got it there were 245 45 18's all around, So when I replaced them, I went with that same size. I am running Eibach's with no rub at all. How old are your struts and did you put the springs on OEM struts? That is a

If I've got the #'s right, his G35 7 spoke wheels (18x8+30) would sit 11mm closer to the fender than your Murano big 5 spoke (18x7.5 +35). But I still don't think he should rub??

[jltibbs]

You know, I checked my Q with said specs, and I can see why you are rubbing. Here are some pics I took a few minutes ago. With the ~11mm that Rex calculated, that's roughly ~.5in. There's that much room or less on my setup, which unless you have your fenders rolled, you would more than likely rub.

[96'er]

Actually I have new Tokico blues on and the California Custom springs as well.I wonder if the CC springs are different than the Eibach as far as stiffness.

I just rolled the inner fender using the 2" PVC method shown on the site. It seems to have worked, but I still haven't test driven it yet .