so I want to add some factory flares to my '80 Rabbit to help get the edge of the tires inside the fenders. On a track car though, screws make me kind of nervous if they ever came loose/ripped out, whatever. Should I drill and pop rivet?
shooting for this look:
Currently looks like this:
Am I being overly paranoid?
...on the factory cars I believe they're just panhead screws, but my car didn't have them originally, and some of my fender lips have been beat up/rolled/etc. and are less than ideal.
rivets or ban
they make everything awesomer
Not quite box flares, but acceptable none-the-less.
I'd go with rivets. Also, just so you know, the GTI front flares are different than the flares on other A1 chassis cars. If you're using the GTI chin spoiler, use the GTI front flares. If you're not, use the Jetta/Cabriolet/Rabbit front flares. The GTI flares have a cut out for the front chin spoiler.
16vCorey wrote:
I'd go with rivets. Also, just so you know, the GTI front flares are different than the flares on other A1 chassis cars. If you're using the GTI chin spoiler, use the GTI front flares. If you're not, use the Jetta/Cabriolet/Rabbit front flares. The GTI flares have a cut out for the front chin spoiler.
Thanks for the heads up. The flares I got (free) came from a GTI. The front chin spoiler on my car is an aftermarket fiberglass job that came with the car. The intersection of flare to aftermarket spoiler is a little awkward, so I may go try to find a set of the non GTI flares in the junkyard. Otherwise a little trimming and the two existing should work good enough.
On my Mini, I put rivnuts in the body and used button-head bolts to attach the flares. Makes them easy to remove should I have the need and they look just a little bit classier. No problems with them loosening or falling out, if I were concerned I'd use Loctite.
Keith wrote:
On my Mini, I put rivnuts in the body and used button-head bolts to attach the flares. Makes them easy to remove should I have the need and they look just a little bit classier. No problems with them loosening or falling out, if I were concerned I'd use Loctite.
interesting idea. I've never used riv-nuts, but from a quick google search that looks pretty much ideal.
Any preferred installation tool or source for these fasteners?
It is not "just" the fasteners...
You need the special tool also...
Harbor freight sell a cheap tool, it has worked well for the ten times I've used it.
Also, the cabby flares are smooth not textured which makes it easier to match to your car.
Yup, I use an HF tool and fasteners. Most of the time. Sometimes I'll bring home the fancy pneumatic one from work and the high-end nuts. But usually it's the HF version. I've had one tool fail on me (the larger the nut, the greater the stresses) but for the price they're hard to beat.
How well do rivets handle removal and replacement( as in the case of a track bump....... )???
Or....if its just for looks, just paint the fender flares black and call it a day???
so why not gluing them on? THere are some good panel adhesives out there
