Wheel arch plastic lip removal.

[Damo H]

So after agonising what spacer size to order, measuring 3 different times and then still going for a conservative size based on my measurements, I’ve got a bit of rubbing on big bumps.

Rear is definitely the little plastic bits that are fitted, front I’m not as sure.

So how do you remove these, I had a quick look but it had gone dark. Are they screwed in, or is it just a clip.

Any help appreciated

 

[Jaco2k]

Not sure if you are thinking of removing wheel liner (...which is a bad idea...) But at least the front one is screwed with torx screws. Like a million of them, with quite a few being under.

 

[Damo H]

Not sure if you are thinking of removing wheel liner (...which is a bad idea...) But at least the front one is screwed with torx screws. Like a million of them, with quite a few being under.

Sorry definitely not the arch liner.

These things...

 

[Deleted member 103408]

I took mine off a long time ago but I seem to recall they are held in place with screws but I only found that out after I cut them off.

However as its a nice sunny day today I am sure you will be able to have a look.

 

[Deathjam]

what are they actually for exactly?

 

[Deleted member 103408]

No Idea, I have seen comments they stop spray in the wet but cant say as I have noticed any difference since removing them.

 

[SRGTD]

what are they actually for exactly?

They’re fitted to many cars with wider wheels and tyres, to cover the exposed tread when viewed from above.

I think it’s a legal requirement that a car’s tyre tread isn’t exposed / can’t be seen when viewed from above, so to remove these where they’re fitted might be an MOT fail, especially if, like the OP, anyone is planning on fitting spacers that’ll push the wheels / tyres out further. I very much doubt that anyone who’d removed these would be prosecuted if they were stopped by the police though - would they even notice?

My VW Polo GTI has 7j wheels and it doesn’t have these little plastic lips on the rear wheel arches, but Polo GTI’s with 7.5j wheels do have them fitted as the edge of the tyre extends out further, which does suggest they’re fitted to cover exposed tyre tread when viewed from above.

 

[Deleted member 103408]

just to add i have fitted new wheels with 45 offset vs 50 stock and passed 2 mot with no comments.

 

[Titchy]

They are clipped onto the arch it’s self I think you have to remove a few screws to enable you to pull back the liner. Then unclip from the wing side.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Copra68]

It's a legal requirement because of the size of wheels.

 

[Damo H]

Not sure where the requirement comes from.

I’ve looked at the tyres and from above you still can’t see any tread.

 

[AndrewJB]

cut mine off.

 

[Oldbutswift]

So after agonising what spacer size to order, measuring 3 different times and then still going for a conservative size based on my measurements, I’ve got a bit of rubbing on big bumps.

Rear is definitely the little plastic bits that are fitted, front I’m not as sure.

So how do you remove these, I had a quick look but it had gone dark. Are they screwed in, or is it just a clip.

Any help appreciated

What size spacers have you fitted?

 

[Damo H]

What size spacers have you fitted?

15mm front, 10mm rear. Thought I was being conservative with my measurements.

Took the lip off of the front but it still rubs. It was rubbing on the little nodule in the arch liner that a screw sits under (one that connects bumper and metal arch panel and also hold that plastic lip thingy too). Didn’t want to try smooth it down so took the 10mm off of the rear and put it on the front. No more rubbing.

Shame really as looked perfect. Still looks good now (at the front) but rear has nothing at moment. Thinking 5mm at the rear to balance the look out.

Down side is the sets I bought had matching locking nuts front and rear (H&R), where as the shorter bolts and spacers for 5mm at the rear may not match. Got to try and explain to a German supplier if they can source me the same locking nuts to fit 5mm.

Either that or gamble that the 15mm longer bolts will be ok with the 10mm spacers and the 10mm longer bolts ok with 5mm spacers.

 

[Deleted member 103408]

Why (for testing purposes) don't you put 10mm front and rear on the same side and see how it looks, might look fine you will at least know then

 

[Damo H]

Why (for testing purposes) don't you put 10mm front and rear on the same side and see how it looks, might look fine you will at least know then

Well according to H&R for me they only do 10mm and 3mm to fit the rear axle of a 4 drive. Their 8mm is for front only. In fact the 10mm I ordered where specific to fit the rear axle of the 4drive. If you look at this pic you can see the difference between the 15mm any axle, and the 10mm any axle...

 

[Deleted member 103408]

Sorry I must have been unclear, you were running 15mm Front and 10mm rear but the front was rubbing.
You have moved the 10mm to the Front and solved the rubbing issue, what I was suggesting is you put the 10mm spacers on the front and rear on one side so you can see if they look ok as you know they work fine on the front and the rear and it cost you nothing.

Are they saying they say you should not fit the 10mm on the front but only 8mm.

 

[Damo H]

Sorry I must have been unclear, you were running 15mm Front and 10mm rear but the front was rubbing.
You have moved the 10mm to the Front and solved the rubbing issue, what I was suggesting is you put the 10mm spacers on the front and rear on one side so you can see if they look ok as you know they work fine on the front and the rear and it cost you nothing.

Are they saying they say you should not fit the 10mm on the front but only 8mm.

No I 100% understood what you meant.

I’m just saying my plan before your suggestion, was to look at 5mm rear. But sadly H&R only do 3 or 10 for the rear of mine.

My 10mm that are on the front now can fit both axles. But not all H&R 10mm fit the rear.

Just got to get my arse in gear and try what you said lol

 

[Deleted member 103408]

Got it now, if that dont suit are there not other manufaturer spacers you can get that give you the gap you want.

Pretty sure you can buy set of bolts for any lenth (I have loads of spare ones if you want me to send you some samples that may or may not work)

 

[Damo H]

Got it now, if that dont suit are there not other manufaturer spacers you can get that give you the gap you want.

Pretty sure you can buy set of bolts for any lenth (I have loads of spare ones if you want me to send you some samples that may or may not work)

Thanks that’s really kind.

It’s more the locking nuts though. The locking nuts sent by H&R are McGuard (or at least as good) and despite being different lengths they’d matched the design up. Meaning I got 2 adaptors that fit all 4 wheels.