Rubbing Guards

[Lycanthrope]

Looking for something to do this weekend, and figured I'd try and sort out my front wheels rubbing. EK civic hatch, fairly low, 16x7 +42 te37's.

Everyday driving is fine, but sometimes when going up or down a fairly steep hill (always does it while going over the harbour bridge), I can hear the front wheels rubbing on the inner guards, and it's gotten worse since I had new front tyres fitted.

I've been told by a few people to just remove the plastic inner guard, but apparently I won't get a WOF without them? Any ideas/suggestions?

Also of concern is the metal lip along the top inside of the wheel arch - when I first got the car, I hit a violent dip in the road at reasonable speed and it cut a nice groove out of the right hand tyre. Don't want the same thing happening with my brand new RE001's hammer it flat with a bit of 4x2, or get it done by someone who knows what they're doing?

Problem should only be temporary as I'll most likely be raising it up a little bit once I get my new koni/neuspeed setup, but I'd rather not waste good tyres in the mean time.

Cheers.

[VTAKYO]

I don't have guard inners up front and have never had a WOF problem... including 2 VTNZ WOFs.

[ACE-JDM-SNT]

If you take out your inner guards id be happy to pay ya for them

[MarkE]

If you remove the inner guards just cut and remove the top section - If you remove the whole guard you'll get tar and stones building up behind the headlight and also on the inside edge of the front doors...

[Lycanthrope]

Originally Posted by MarkE

If you remove the inner guards just cut and remove the top section - If you remove the whole guard you'll get tar and stones building up behind the headlight and also on the inside edge of the front doors...

Yeah I've come to that same conclusion after removing the first one - have cut some pieces off it and will re-fit it.

Any advice on the metal lip, anyone? I'm pretty keen to just attack it with a hammer + bit of wood.. can that do any damage/distort anything?

A few pics..

Cut out pieces

Give it the bash?

[ACE-JDM-SNT]

Go on we know ya want to!!

If it makes you feel any better ill bash it for ya??

[zerone]

Rubbing guards will most definitely land you in jail.
Well rubbing anyone for that matter will do it as well.
Shotgunned bank guards would probably kill you though.

sorry, bored.

[ACE-JDM-SNT]

First he was rubbing guards now he found something he wants to wack off :wink:

Sorry - Couldnt resist.

[DrRubber]

I reckon your on the right track, just chop and tap /trial and error till i dosnt rub.

[ACE-JDM-SNT]

Yeah either be really carefull and take a angle grinder to it and then smooth down or just try to fold it over?

[d16a7]

i just made it hammertime on that lip on my old eg.. but i really didnt give a rats ass about that car... then i just got the colour match can fro super gay and sprayed it to look factory..

[Lycanthrope]

All done. Tips for those who are looking to do this in future:

- Remove plastic inner guard

- Using vice grips, bend the lip outwards as much as you can (it's easer to hammer flat when it's bent outwards, and there's less risk of the lip getting in the way of suspension parts)

- Use a hammer and bash away until the lip is as horizontal/flat as possible.

- Sand the lip back, prime and paint to prevent rust forming in areas where paint has been chipped/flaked off

- Trim away parts of plastic guard that went over the lip and re-fit

End result (probably needing another coat of black):

Originally Posted by zerone

Rubbing guards will most definitely land you in jail.

Or get you into concerts for free! You just have to know which ones to pick

[mr.sky]

use a heat gun and a rubber mallet, you wont crack the paint... heres mine: (its the rear but same principle applies:

[Lycanthrope]

^ ^ Nah the outer guards are fine, tis the seam/lip that runs along the inner top of the wheel arch I was flattening.

[DAKRNK]

I just hit the hell outta mine, but my EG is slammed at the front, rubs insanely at full load, i need new tyres too so they're gunna get cut up