Wheel arch self tappers....dare I remove them...?

[DJ8226]

Evening all been reading that superb article in Sprint. Got me wondering about taking a peak behind my wheel arches, if all is well I will replace the self tappers with stainless if all is not well then it might be a tad more expensive. Being positive can someone tell me what size are they so I can get some off the bay. They should be ok as my car had a partial lift in 2008 for the front outriggers to be replace and trailing arms repaired.

Edited by DJ8226 on Thursday 10th February 20:33

[phillpot]

Can't remember for sure but reckon something like these should do ?

Originals may be 8 gauge (thinner) but next size up will "bite" back into the fibreglass better than using same size again, imho.

Inner wings on mine don't actually go down far enough to hide anything ? in fact I've made some extra little mudflaps to protect the chassis (and I pop-riveted the arches back on)

Edited by phillpot on Thursday 10th February 21:10

[DJ8226]

Thanks very much, mini mud flaps seen them on Wiz's car yes must make some of those up too.

[GreenV8S]

Not keen on the pop rivets but the outrigger protectors do look useful.

[phillpot]

GreenV8S said:

Not keen on the pop rivets

Never been a "fan" of screws into fibreglass and they are bigger than your average rivet ( not weedy little 1/8" ). Should I need can be drilled out in a couple of minutes, and no sharp pointy screws in the car !

[Barkychoc]

My self tappers were quite loose and I don't think new ones would have tightened up very well. I used quite large pop rivets and I have to say it worked really well - I also put some blue hylomar between the surfaces to stop water getting in.

[toast boy]

I just riveted mine back in place after they'd been off, would have had to go up another size of screw for them to be secure and the rivets are more than adequate.