Fenders off to clear drag slicks?...

[Shades]

Anyone had to take their fenders off for clearance for their drag slicks... I have to. Is there any hidden bolts that I should know about that I need a special tool for?

[onlytrueromeo]

Besides a philips head screwdriver and a 10mm socket, no I dont think you need anything else. Hidden bolts are when you open the door, on the inside by the side mirrors there is a rubber piece that has bolts behind it. (or if you've removed fenders before rubber piece might be missing) Rubber piece has to be peeled off (just glued)

That was the only thing that gave me trouble when removing fenders.




Sucks you have to remove your fenders, but I guess that's the price you have for having such ridiculously wide tires/offset rims.

[muttpower]

Why not just roll out/trim up your existing fenders for extra clearence??? I'm sure It couldn't be off by too much, depending on what size slicks your'e running.

[onlytrueromeo]

Rolling fenders is over rated, I don't really like the look. He only needs the fenders rolled for the slicks, if he had need for all his other tires then it would be a viable option, but w/o that, I think it will look out of place.

[Shades]

Thanks for the tips!

Yeah it only rubs when I turn the wheels... just have to remove them for racing.

[Mooneggs]

another hidden bolt under the headlight...

make sure you take off the inner fender guard first (it's easiest to remove the wheel first)... I believe there is also one inside the fender halfway down by the door - I think the fender just slides into this one over a stud.

Also one bolt on the very bottom of the fender (like bottom of the car)

[hppwdn]

What's the overall diameter and width of the tire you're putting on? I managed to fit my 245/45/17s on mine with out any fender rolling or spacers. It's a real close fit, but they fit as long as you have fully adjustable coilovers.

Are you drag racing or road racing?

[Shades]

I'm drag racing... the OD is 24.5... but when you actually measure it it's 25.5 and it rubs when you turn on the back of the fender.

A hidden bolt under the headlight... Hmmm.

I thought there were two on the bottom of the car... well, I'm just about to head out the door to take one off to see.

[hppwdn]

The overall diameter on my 245/45/17s is 25.68" simply based on the math of the measurements. I haven't gone out and measured them with a tape measure. With no spacers at all mine rub very very slightly on the LCA when the wheel is turned all the way out. I have no issues with the fenders. Maybe you need some spacers for your rims. I drive mine around town to the track and back and never rub anything unless I have to make a really sharp uturn.

For reference, my rims are a 17x7.5" +45 offset.

[kiwimx3]

Before your get to busy with the spanners, you might want to check with track officals
if you can remove your fenders and run..

[JWMotorsports]

Interesting.

I'm running 245/50/R16 with Weapon-R Coil overs slammed w/ helper springs in and don't have that problem...I did have to cut down the spring pearches to clear the tires though, was laughing the whole time we were choping them!

I'd say your backspacing on the wheels are incorrect for your setup...technically. What suspension mods have you done?

[solo_ryder]

He's running MS struts and H&R springs IIRC..

Man I would kill to have those struts..

[TMeadows]

Interesting.

I'm running 245/50/R16 with Weapon-R Coil overs slammed w/ helper springs in and don't have that problem...I did have to cut down the spring pearches to clear the tires though, was laughing the whole time we were choping them!

I'd say your backspacing on the wheels are incorrect for your setup...technically. What suspension mods have you done?

I remember cutting your spring perches... oh the shady stuff that went on in your garage.....

[solo_ryder]

Interesting.

I'm running 245/50/R16 with Weapon-R Coil overs slammed w/ helper springs in and don't have that problem...I did have to cut down the spring pearches to clear the tires though, was laughing the whole time we were choping them!

I'd say your backspacing on the wheels are incorrect for your setup...technically. What suspension mods have you done?

I remember cutting your spring perches... oh the shady stuff that went on in your garage.....

He's running Mazdaspeed struts and HandR springs. However, we got new fenders for his car last year and John was gonna cut those up to clear