Rolling fenders is a modification process performed on a vehicle's body panels. It's a common practice, especially when fitting larger wheels and tires or lowering the vehicle's suspension.
Understanding Fender Rolling
Based on the provided information, rolling fenders just means rolling the inside of the fenders and quarters up and in so the tire can move freely without rubbing on the sheet metal.
This modification is primarily done to create additional clearance between the tire and the inner lip of the fender or quarter panel. When wheels and tires are wider, have a different offset, or the suspension is significantly lowered, the tire can come into contact with the sharp inner edge of the fender during suspension travel, steering, or cornering. This contact, known as tire rub, can damage both the tire and the vehicle's bodywork.
Why Roll Fenders?
People choose to roll their fenders for several key reasons:
- Preventing Tire Rub: This is the most critical reason, allowing the safe fitment of aftermarket wheels or lower suspension setups.
- Accommodating Larger Wheels/Tires: It provides the necessary space for wider or taller tire setups.
- Lowering the Vehicle: When a car is lowered, the distance between the tire and the fender lip decreases, making rubbing more likely. Rolling creates crucial clearance.
- Aesthetics: As mentioned in the reference, if you're building a street car or a resto-mod and you "want to look nice," ensuring there's no tire rub contributes to the overall clean appearance and functionality of the vehicle.
The Process and Tools
To perform fender rolling effectively and cleanly, especially on a street car or resto-mod where the appearance matters, specialized tools are often used.
- Fender Roller Tool: As noted in the reference, it "might be worth your while to buy a fender roller tool." This tool typically bolts onto the wheel hub and uses a roller wheel to gradually bend the inner lip of the fender upwards and inwards, creating a smooth, rounded edge instead of a sharp lip.
Rolling is usually done carefully and incrementally to avoid cracking the paint or deforming the outer shape of the fender panel.
In summary, rolling fenders is the process of folding the inner lip of the fender or quarter panel to provide necessary clearance for tires, particularly when dealing with modified suspension or wheel setups, thereby preventing tire rub and protecting the vehicle's bodywork and tires.
