Bending Wheel Well Trim

[Mopar_Mudder]

Got new repop wheel well trim for 71 Cuda, and like all this stuff they really don't fit the body lines at all. So does any one know of a good method to bend these thing to fit other they making a releaf cut in the flange so they bend. I thought of heating and dending but didn't know if that would discolor the stainless to where you couldn't clean them back up.

[dutch]

you can always get stainless cleaned up.  stretching and shrinking the lip might get you somewhere. you will always see the cuts, hammer dents will sand out...

[MEK-Dangerfield]

These Cuda wheel well trim pieces must be worse the the Challenger.

I started in the middle and worked my way out each side. I had to elongate a few holes, but that was it.   

[Skunkworks Challenger]

I too started in the middle, working out both sides and used padded clamps to help bring the trim in line with the body lines.  I had to drill all new holes but that is not a bad thing.  PK

[Mopar_Mudder]

I don't have any screw holes to worry about because the fenders and quarters are all new also. Will have to experiment and see what I can do, think I will try a little cold bend and shrink before I try the heat.

[Bullitt-]

All the Wheel trim I've seen is aluminum with a anodized finish. I would not use heat or count on being able to save the finish if you get aggressive.

[4 speed fish]

If they fit that bad send them back and try a different vendor.I purchased repop for my 70 cuda that fit good.I used a little filler  on some gaps.I only have to drill a total of 1 extra hole.I would rate the end result a 9 out of 10.

[dutch]

All the Wheel trim I've seen is aluminum with a anodized finish. I would not use heat or count on being able to save the finish if you get aggressive.

      if they are anodized alu, you don`t want to use heat!!!  like said before, start in the middle and you should be able to line them up with the fenderlip.

[Mopar_Mudder]

They could be Alum, I haven't looked that close to be ohnest.

It is not a matter of starting in the middle and working out, that is not an issue. The problem is at the bottom of wheel wells where the body line is and the fenders go back under the car. This bend on the trim is only about 1/2 of what it need to fit the shape of the fender. The trim probably sticks out close to 1/2" from the fender at the botttom.

These are from Year One, don't know about the quality, alot of this stuff is all made by the same place and sold by different venders.

If they are alum that will make bending easier, but will screw up the anodized finish I think.

[Mopar_Mudder]

Here are some pictures of what I am dealing with. Sorry should have turned the flash off, got a little glare.

Can anyone give me names of brands they have gotten that fit, I think I would rather try anothe set then try and make all 4 fit.

[dutch]

looks to me you should be able to push that into position...      oh well... I`m probably wrong.... 

[Mopar_Mudder]

Not possible, you would be trying to bend that 1" flange going back into the wheel well. Pushing in on it just results in the area above the body line trying to push out away from the fender. Only way to make it fit would be to cut a notch out of the flange, bend it, then weld the notch back shut. I would be open to doing that but their seems to be some sort of clear coat on these thing, you can see the clear craking when you try and bend it.

Last resort is to notch, bend, fill then have to reclear them all again. Alot of work to go through for something that is suppose to fit.

[dutch]

Alot of work to go through for something that is suppose to fit.

absolutely tru