Arch modification required

1. Toad Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Mar 2007 Reading Posts: 8980 French tin can

   #1 10th January 2009, 19:08

   Hey guys.
   
   Can anyone recommend a company where I can take my car to, to have the rear arches modified? I fitted some 205/50/15 Toyo R888s today, and the rear tyres are catching the rear area of the arches. I think I'm going to need a professional arch modification.
2. Nij Yorkshire Joined: Apr 2008 Brighouse, W. Yorks Posts: 3699 Citroen C4 VTR Coupe Porsche 924

   #2 10th January 2009, 19:15

   i had the same problem with a 90mm drop and 195/50/15's.
   i took out the rear liner thingy and took a grinder to the supporting brackets.
   
   then just painted them up and diverted the air vent (well blocked it up).
   
   cheap bodge lol
3. Toad Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Mar 2007 Reading Posts: 8980 French tin can

   #3 10th January 2009, 19:17

   Mine's not catching on the inner liner though, it's the actual arch.
4. user_24886 Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Jun 2008 Notts Posts: 6227 White pug 106 1.6

   #4 10th January 2009, 19:19

   wack it with a hammer
5. Nij Yorkshire Joined: Apr 2008 Brighouse, W. Yorks Posts: 3699 Citroen C4 VTR Coupe Porsche 924

   #5 10th January 2009, 19:30

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by VTEC-Saxo wack it with a hammer

   agreed
6. Toad Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Mar 2007 Reading Posts: 8980 French tin can

   #6 10th January 2009, 20:59

   It doesn't bend, it would just snap. Otherwise I would!
7. Roper Established Member Joined: Feb 2006 Derbyshire Posts: 1815 Black 106 GTi Turbo

   #7 10th January 2009, 21:01

   which part of the "arch" is it rubbing on ??
   
   inner/ outer ?? or plastics behind the wheel ?
8. Toad Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Mar 2007 Reading Posts: 8980 French tin can

   #8 10th January 2009, 21:27

   The area circled in the picture below.
   
   
9. craig180p Yorkshire Joined: Dec 2005 West Yorkshire Posts: 31079 1989 Golf GTi Clipper

   #9 10th January 2009, 21:37

   Don't think you'll be able to do it without it looking daft.
   
   In hindsight could you have bought 195/50s?
10. Toad Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Mar 2007 Reading Posts: 8980 French tin can

    #10 10th January 2009, 21:40

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by saxo180 Don't think you'll be able to do it without it looking daft. In hindsight could you have bought 195/50s?

    Yes, but I wanted to make use of the extra width available with 7" wide rims... I hope something can be done. Surely there's some bodyshops out there somewhere that could do this in a jiffy? If all else fails, I'm turning into Hacksaw McDougan for a day!
11. craig180p Yorkshire Joined: Dec 2005 West Yorkshire Posts: 31079 1989 Golf GTi Clipper

    #11 10th January 2009, 21:42

    Solid rear struts?
    
    How about raising the rear by 5mm at a time to see if you can avoid catching that way?
12. Toad Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Mar 2007 Reading Posts: 8980 French tin can

    #12 10th January 2009, 21:50

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by saxo180 Solid rear struts? How about raising the rear by 5mm at a time to see if you can avoid catching that way?

    No, because it's catching even before I go over any bumps. I would have to raise it like 40mm! Which I'm not going to do. lol
    
    It's not catching it THAT much, otherwise the tyre would have burst almost instantaneously, so I think I'll work something out. HACKSAW! Arggg!!!!
13. user_24886 Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Jun 2008 Notts Posts: 6227 White pug 106 1.6

    #13 10th January 2009, 21:54

    Brick or hammer
14. Toad Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Mar 2007 Reading Posts: 8980 French tin can

    #14 10th January 2009, 21:55

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by VTEC-Saxo Brick or hammer

    Stop it! No hammering!
15. user_24886 Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Jun 2008 Notts Posts: 6227 White pug 106 1.6

    #15 10th January 2009, 21:56

    you take it to a body shop they will you think most of tham places can afford arch rollers lmao
16. Roper Established Member Joined: Feb 2006 Derbyshire Posts: 1815 Black 106 GTi Turbo

    #16 10th January 2009, 22:01

    its only the rear bumper bracket !!
    
    if you remove your rear buymper and rear arch liners, just cut the steel brackets off and the plastic bit off your bumper. then just replace bumper and arch liners although it may still rub on the arch lines but it wont burst the tyres as theres no sharp steel
    
    max power haynes shows how
17. user_24886 Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Jun 2008 Notts Posts: 6227 White pug 106 1.6

    #17 10th January 2009, 22:04

    iv got a pdf version of the max power i can send you if its any help mate, not exacly the best of copies lol blatent scan but might be of some use
18. Karl Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Apr 2006 Ashford Posts: 25611 LY R26

    #18 10th January 2009, 22:24

    Nick Tynan has this issue with 205 width tyres too.
19. jpsaxo Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Oct 2005 Sydney Posts: 8525 Mango Westcoast

    #19 10th January 2009, 23:29

    Get the rear raised a tad mate
20. AlexBp West Midlands Joined: Dec 2007 West mids Posts: 23149 Supra,civic GL

    #20 11th January 2009, 00:24

    speak to dannygti he runs 205s think hes higher than you though
21. Toad Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Mar 2007 Reading Posts: 8980 French tin can

    #21 11th January 2009, 02:43

    I'm going to have a hack at it tomorrow. I ran out of light and it was freezing, so I gave up. I'm sure I can file enough off...
22. Toad Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Mar 2007 Reading Posts: 8980 French tin can

    #22 11th January 2009, 02:44

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Roper its only the rear bumper bracket !! if you remove your rear buymper and rear arch liners, just cut the steel brackets off and the plastic bit off your bumper. then just replace bumper and arch liners although it may still rub on the arch lines but it wont burst the tyres as theres no sharp steel max power haynes shows how

    No, it's rubbing on the actual arch, i'll show some pics tomorrow.
23. Toad Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Mar 2007 Reading Posts: 8980 French tin can

    #23 11th January 2009, 02:45

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by VTEC-Saxo iv got a pdf version of the max power i can send you if its any help mate, not exacly the best of copies lol blatent scan but might be of some use

    Thanks for the offer, but I don't think I'll need it.
24. Toad Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Mar 2007 Reading Posts: 8980 French tin can

    #24 11th January 2009, 02:45

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by jpsaxo Get the rear raised a tad mate

    It would need rasing a LOT. So t'is not really an option.
25. Toad Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Mar 2007 Reading Posts: 8980 French tin can

    #25 11th January 2009, 02:46

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Alex-VTS speak to dannygti he runs 205s think hes higher than you though

    Already have been.
    
    How the fook do you reply to people's posts all in one reply? lol
26. jpsaxo Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Oct 2005 Sydney Posts: 8525 Mango Westcoast

    #26 11th January 2009, 07:25

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Toad It would need rasing a LOT. So t'is not really an option.

    As far as i know Danny didnt need any arch modification just raised it, he may have done some though.
    
    I know mine are fine, all the 210 are is wider so i dont see how it couldnt be sorted by simply raising the rear like Danny did.
27. Scribbles Regular Poster Joined: Oct 2008 Leam Spa Posts: 368 R26

    #27 11th January 2009, 10:27

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by jpsaxo As far as i know Danny didnt need any arch modification just raised it, he may have done some though. I know mine are fine, all the 210 are is wider so i dont see how it couldnt be sorted by simply raising the rear like Danny did.

    They are wider but they will have a slightly taller sidewall as the 50 profile is an aspect ratio of the width.
28. 3cott Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Mar 2008 Rotherham Posts: 4614 Black mk2 vts

    #28 11th January 2009, 11:10

    set about it with a grinder.
29. Ryanp Super Moderator Joined: Feb 2004 Tonbridge United Kingdom (England) Posts: 38236 Vtr, 172, throttle bodied track slut

    #29 11th January 2009, 15:53

    gayness mate.
    
    sorry to hear hope that get it sorted out ok n all
    
    Surely if its catching on the inner part you could file that away so the arch is alot thinner
30. Toad Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Mar 2007 Reading Posts: 8980 French tin can

    #30 11th January 2009, 22:38

    Please see my progress thread for an in-depth update. I think i've cracked it! Damn I'm tired...
31. Toad Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Mar 2007 Reading Posts: 8980 French tin can

    #31 11th January 2009, 22:41

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Scribbles They are wider but they will have a slightly taller sidewall as the 50 profile is an aspect ratio of the width.

    Absolutely right. The sidewall will be 50% of 205mm, which equals 102.5mm, which is quite a lot. 195/50/15 would give me a sidewall of 97.5mm.
32. Toad Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Mar 2007 Reading Posts: 8980 French tin can

    #32 11th January 2009, 22:41

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by jpsaxo As far as i know Danny didnt need any arch modification just raised it, he may have done some though. I know mine are fine, all the 210 are is wider so i dont see how it couldnt be sorted by simply raising the rear like Danny did.

    It's still there as an option, but fingers crossed I won't have to.
33. Toad Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Mar 2007 Reading Posts: 8980 French tin can

    #33 11th January 2009, 22:42

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Ryan gayness mate. sorry to hear hope that get it sorted out ok n all Surely if its catching on the inner part you could file that away so the arch is alot thinner

    I filed for England mate, I'm fecked. Off to bed...
34. AlexBp West Midlands Joined: Dec 2007 West mids Posts: 23149 Supra,civic GL

    #34 11th January 2009, 22:56

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Toad Already have been. How the fook do you reply to people's posts all in one reply? lol

    i can reply to 15 threads symultaniously thanks to a system similar to the matrix were i plug sax-p into my head
    
    shame in my head i cant type for shit lol
35. Toad Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Mar 2007 Reading Posts: 8980 French tin can

    #35 12th January 2009, 08:03

    Bastard! Explain how.
36. AlexBp West Midlands Joined: Dec 2007 West mids Posts: 23149 Supra,civic GL

    #36 12th January 2009, 09:20

    its all to do with the virtual mind toad
    you basically have a human computer in your head
    all you need to do is think in binary code and the net will translate it for you
37. Toad Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Mar 2007 Reading Posts: 8980 French tin can

    #37 12th January 2009, 09:22

    Not helping!
38. AlexBp West Midlands Joined: Dec 2007 West mids Posts: 23149 Supra,civic GL

    #38 12th January 2009, 09:26

    lol well witout going into massive detail and reveling my secret to the noobs (who will use this system for evil asking about ebay chargers and can i get 200bhp from my 1.1 staying n/a) i cant explain it fully
    the previose post is about as detailed as it gets lol
39. Shak Infrequent Poster Joined: Aug 2008 Bournemouth Posts: 176 saxo vts 106 xsi

    #39 12th January 2009, 18:36

    My pal with a vw camper went for wider tyres and couldn't cut the arch back or he would have had to undo hours of fabrication, what he did was to get the back face of the wheel where it bolts to the hub machined down by a few mm. obviously if you go too far the inner edge of the wheel will touch the inner arch/boot.
40. Toad Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Mar 2007 Reading Posts: 8980 French tin can

    #40 12th January 2009, 18:57

    Fair shout mate. But like you pointed out at the end I'm afraid. There's virtually no room between the inside of the wheel / tyre and the chassis.
41. STEBTECH Infrequent Poster Joined: May 2008 ooow aaar wiltshire Posts: 166 EM1 civic vti

    #41 12th January 2009, 19:27

    Toad, when i had my mr2 turbo with the same probs i used a company (cant think of name) a few years back who specialized in arch modifications, they are a mobile company all over the uk so they will come to you! very good jod and i highly recommend them! like i said it was a few years back but im sure i still have the card somewhere so i will dig out the number for you.
42. Furio-Eth Infrequent Poster Joined: Aug 2007 Chepstow Posts: 205 saxo vtr

    #42 12th January 2009, 19:37

    angle grinder hammer i had to do it
43. AlexR Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Aug 2004 Kunt & Sorrey Posts: 5763 Rep mobiles & Joes ma

    #43 12th January 2009, 20:23

    there is plenty of metal to cut off under the plastic arch trim, and it's usually the rear bumper bracket that hits the tyre first also...
44. Toad Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Mar 2007 Reading Posts: 8980 French tin can

    #44 12th January 2009, 22:11

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by STEBTECH Toad, when i had my mr2 turbo with the same probs i used a company (cant think of name) a few years back who specialized in arch modifications, they are a mobile company all over the uk so they will come to you! very good jod and i highly recommend them! like i said it was a few years back but im sure i still have the card somewhere so i will dig out the number for you.

    Did alter the appearance of the arch / body from the outside?
45. Toad Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Mar 2007 Reading Posts: 8980 French tin can

    #45 12th January 2009, 22:11

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Furio-Eth angle grinder hammer i had to do it

    Yep, I used a hammer.
46. Toad Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Mar 2007 Reading Posts: 8980 French tin can

    #46 12th January 2009, 22:12

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by AlexR there is plenty of metal to cut off under the plastic arch trim, and it's usually the rear bumper bracket that hits the tyre first also...

    Yep, see pics.
47. AlexR Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Aug 2004 Kunt & Sorrey Posts: 5763 Rep mobiles & Joes ma

    #47 12th January 2009, 22:21

    
    
    Seriously!
    I'm going to fit 205 widths to the XSi, and that has much skinnier arches and smaller trims so much harder to fettle! Where there's a will there's a way :lol:
48. Toad Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Mar 2007 Reading Posts: 8980 French tin can

    #48 12th January 2009, 22:41

    Great pic! LOL!
    
    Well, I don't know if what I've done is any help to anyone, but hopefully...
    
    I still get a bit of rub when I go over a speedbump fast, so there's work to be done still. I'm not sure what else I can file off. Also, I'm not 100% that I've got even ride height at the rear! : I need to take the car to a perfectly flat piece of tarmac to get a proper check. I might have a go at raising the rear a few mm, but I don't want to really.
49. Ryanp Super Moderator Joined: Feb 2004 Tonbridge United Kingdom (England) Posts: 38236 Vtr, 172, throttle bodied track slut

    #49 12th January 2009, 22:45

    mate if you continue to have problems with shit make sure you are cool with car before sorting wheels n stuff.
50. Toad Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Mar 2007 Reading Posts: 8980 French tin can

    #50 12th January 2009, 22:52

    OK dude, appreciate it. I'm going to have a good look on Saturday, when I'm next free. Oh how I WISH I had a garage... with lights... and heating... Wowsers...
51. Ryanp Super Moderator Joined: Feb 2004 Tonbridge United Kingdom (England) Posts: 38236 Vtr, 172, throttle bodied track slut

    #51 12th January 2009, 22:53

    lol i know what its like, fags house gravel drive, not much light and cold winter middle of nowhere air.
    
    dude no probs, like I say more important you have a car that works and is safe init, im not in a push push i need rimmage yo
52. AlexR Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Aug 2004 Kunt & Sorrey Posts: 5763 Rep mobiles & Joes ma

    #52 12th January 2009, 22:55

    To do the rear arches properly you need to take the arch trims off, and the torsion bars out! Then when you drop the car down it will sit on the bumpstops, or wherever the tyre is rubbing, trim the arch etc so that there's a bit of clearance for when the bumpstop compresses, refit trims, job done.
53. Toad Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Mar 2007 Reading Posts: 8980 French tin can

    #53 12th January 2009, 22:56

    If I'm on a perfectly flat bit of ground... Should the rear wheel to arch clearance (height in other words) be the same on both sides?
54. Toad Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Mar 2007 Reading Posts: 8980 French tin can

    #54 12th January 2009, 22:58

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by AlexR To do the rear arches properly you need to take the arch trims off, and the torsion bars out! Then when you drop the car down it will sit on the bumpstops, or wherever the tyre is rubbing, trim the arch etc so that there's a bit of clearance for when the bumpstop compresses, refit trims, job done.

    Tis a good point, lot of hassle though. I'm hoping that a good gander up inside the arch should reveal where it's rubbing... Fingers crossed.
55. Toad Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Mar 2007 Reading Posts: 8980 French tin can

    #55 12th January 2009, 23:00

    BTW alex, as you said you're thinking of going 205... They are heavy man! My r888s weigh 9kg each. Was gutted about that... Also, remember those bolts you sold me a while back? The ones for the engine, cam covers and that? They rusted to fuck! Got any rust-proof ones in the same size?
56. vtr-tec Frequent Poster Joined: Jul 2007 Newark Posts: 540 Saxo vtr 16V CRX VT 91' Civic EK

    #56 12th January 2009, 23:30

    yes as above. i am getting the 888's in 195 however my bars are huge and do not flex!
    
    i removed the mount and then moved it further down the arch
57. AlexR Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Aug 2004 Kunt & Sorrey Posts: 5763 Rep mobiles & Joes ma

    #57 12th January 2009, 23:42

    We had no problems whatsoever with 22mm bars even doing over 120 through foxhole @ the ring That was with 195s though.
    
    Just take the bars out, it's a few hours work for piece of mind, if you go over a really big compression or something and it punctures the tyre you'll be screwed!
    
    Toad did you buy the black bolts? They don't seem to fare very well in damp conditions, if your car spends prolonged periods unused they will go rusty with the condensation that builts up in the engine bay! The stainless ones are great, i left some in a cup of water for a few months and they weren't rusty, just had some white stuff on them that brushed off :lol:
58. Toad Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Mar 2007 Reading Posts: 8980 French tin can

    #58 13th January 2009, 08:11

    Yeah, they were the black ones. At the time of fitting them, I drove the car nearly every day, and they still rusted to buggery!
    
    Can you sort me out some rust-proof ones?