10 replies to this topic

[TJenkos]

Yep, tried searching.

My group 6 arches came from Huddersfield Minis today which means I can now fit my 13s... (13x7 Superlights)

However..

I believe I need to cut my arches? I know there are templates for Sportspack arches, but what is the procedure for my GRP6s?

Im going to rivet them of, but just dont know how much of the metal I should be cutting?

Is it just a case of alligning the arches and seeing the excess metal below??

Ta

Tom

Edited by TJenkos, 08 October 2007 - 08:14 PM.

[mike.]

When people mention trimming arches and cutting guides for fitting 13x7's aren't they talking about the inner wing?

I thought basically the wheels rub on the inner wing when on full lock because they're bigger, so you need to trim away any metal thats in the way with some tin snips or similar. I thought those guides were to show you how much to trim from the inner wing - Not the arches themselves.

[TJenkos]

Yes, the arches as in the metal arches.. not the fibreglass ones

Wings, arches, same thing!

Edited by TJenkos, 08 October 2007 - 08:37 PM.

[mike.]

In that case isn't it just a case of fitting the wheels, turning them, watching where they catch and cutting away the bits that catch the tyres until they turn each way to full lock without rubbing.

[TJenkos]

Simple enough then. Is there a stage where I can end up cutting too much off that the fibreglass arch doesnt cover? Or am I thinking I need to cut more off than I really do?

Tin snips OK to use too?

Edited by TJenkos, 08 October 2007 - 09:09 PM.

[mike.]

Your getting confused here which is confusing me lol. Your not cutting anything off the arches or the wing.

Your cutting away bits of the inner wing. Not the outer wing where the arches go. Its hard to explain without pointing it out and showing the bit you need to cut.



Wait infact, looking at you sig, you've already got the wheels fitted your just fitting bigger arches? In which case the wheels musn't be rubbing? If there not rubbing then you shuld just be able to fit the arches and go. You shouldn't need to do any cutting unless your tyres are rubbing now?

[redhotmini]

if you fit 13x7's, you need to trim the OUTER wing, not the inner wing. the wheels are bigger, but its the extra width and offset that causes the problem. last time i done it, i marked from the top of the arch, and in a nice gentle curve, finished about an inch away from the arch lip, at the bumper flange. i then used a large block of wood (i didnt have a proper panel beating dolly) and a hammer to hammer the lip flat. makes it easier to trim. i then marked another line about 10cm (or 3/8ths of an inch) below the original line, and followed it back to the top of the arch. trim along this line. check wheel clearance, if its clear by a centimetre or so you're fine. then when you are done, use a pair of molegrips, or decent pliers, to reform the lip, using the first line as a guide to reform it. I then used a smaller, slightly curved block f wood and a smaller hammer to smoothen up the lip, as using molegrips makes it a bit wobbly. use a grinder to grind back any sharp/rough edges. repaint nicely, then fit arch.

if you do find that the wheels rub on the shocks, (which i doubt they will) use the minimum size of spacer shim and longer studs to suit. a 5mm spacer shim is ok. The wheels may rub on the inner wing on full lock, dont trim these. either fit a lock stop on the steering arm/track rod, or fit a sportspack reduced lock rack.

[lemmingzappa]

I had to cut some metal off the shell inner arch thing, but this thread is getting confusing

[redhotmini]

i know! the wheel will catch on the outer arch before it hits the inner wing. Its pretty obvious what needs trimming away when you stick a wheel on.
just remember that when you take the mini off the jack it will sit higher than before as the rubber cones take a while to settle. so you may need to go back and trim some more, the only way is to take the car out for a quick spin round corners, over bumps etc to settle the cones back in to their original height.

There are loads of guides about it in the magazines, i know that theres a good one in Keeping Your Mini Alive 4 (its done by miniworld so thats where to go for a copy). The sportspack template is also a good guide to trimming, although it does need some playing with if you want the arches to sit lower. if you're not fitting sportspack arches then dont bother with drilling the holes on the template.

[Spenner]

Its quite easy really just put new wheels on and turn the wheels to different locks and then cut what is needed i found that cutting it bit by bit untill i got enougth clearance. Its the outer wing not inner you need to cut and i found its just the front part of the wing that catches so dont gut anythinkl off the a panels. Same as what everyone has said abve.

[camp freddy]

i've cut cut my rear arches, tubbed out as it's known in the
custum circuit

http://i192.photobuc...pg?t=1192056895

http://i192.photobuc...pg?t=1192056934

http://i192.photobuc...pg?t=1192056962

http://i192.photobuc...pg?t=1192057040

I've also lowered the car

http://i192.photobuc...pg?t=1192057139