Outer Limits 4x4 Board

Gidday folks - recently purchased some Pro Comp 33s (285/75 16 - 12.5inch) muds for the beast and over the weekend put them through their paces over some fairly challenging terrain. I noticed during the day that the rear flares had cracked their mounts and were hanging out from the door flares by an inch or two. The fronts also looked a little loose. I assume the tyres had punched into them a couple of times on full articulation, which was a suprise, as I'd heard from many sources that 33's would fit with std suspension.

The car runs ROH steel 16x8s for Patrol.

If i get a 2" coil lift, is this going to stop the problem?

What are the options to cosmetically repair the flares? For the moment I've popped them back in but they will probably vibrate out again within time.

If the coil lift solution does not work, what are the options as to wider flares, or is back to skinnier/smaller tyres??

Thanks
Mike

is yours the latest model? what is series 4?

Yes. Purchased 2005.
Mike

I would check the rim offset.

I, along with many others, run the same size tyre (on a GU III) and they foul on the inner guard/wheel well not the outer flare. This is with factory alloys.

When I say foul, I mean ever so slightly. I don't notice when driving, and can only see the evidecne when I look inside the wheel well (first noticed it when washing the car). There is a slight rub mark - that's all.

Even with a 2" lift this may happen again as the lift may offer more flex in both directions. Changing the rim offset will be the only way to make sure it doesn't continue.

Checked Nissan owners manual - states offset as 10mm (doesn't say +ve or -ve). The ROH Wheels application guide lists the 4wd - 6 stud on 139.7 PCD on 16 x 8 with no specific reference to the Nissan Patrol as 13mm negative. If we assume from the former that the correct offset is +10mm and the current rim is -13mm, the difference would appear to be close to an inch (23mm) and the likely culprit.

Given the wheels were purchased at ARB, who know the vehicle well, having fitted heaps of equipment, I would argue a case of negligence on their part, particularly given they advised the biggest wheel combo would be 285/75 16. Hence wheel replacement and flare repair at their cost. Thoughts???

Mike

I've got a 4" lifted GU IV with it's second set of 33's, no swaybars:

- cooper stt's on 17" factory alloys - plenty of scrubbing above the chassis rail, never touched the flare

- radial claws on 16" roh sunraysias - just popped the left flare exactly as you described, haven't checked to see if they still scrub inside above chassis rail

with swaybars hooked up there's no scrubbing whatsoever

I have also damaged my drivers side rear flare in the same way... kinda.
i genuine nissan steel rims with 31's MTR's on did it when i hit a sneaky washout and got a slight wild bounce from it. i am guessing thats where i did it.

what would be the easiest way of repairing it as i have just pushed it back in when it pulls away at the moment, the mount is cracked and not that flash anymore, only thought now is to look at new flare.

Neetas wrote:Given the wheels were purchased at ARB, who know the vehicle well, having fitted heaps of equipment, I would argue a case of negligence on their part, particularly given they advised the biggest wheel combo would be 285/75 16. Hence wheel replacement and flare repair at their cost. Thoughts???

Mike

Good luck

As a loyal customer, ARB have offered to refund the rims. They suggest ProComp should be held jointly liable, for the repair of the flares having stated that not all 285/75 tyres of the same nominal width are the same.

It appears only Nissan rims are +10mm offset and all other aftermarket rims for the GU are -13mm. Although it may be a red herring, ARB claim this fitment is within the legal requirements, being one inch. And they would recommend that same fitment again tomorrow if asked (how dumb is that given what they now know).

In my view, this still falls within the area of supplying goods not fit for purpose, although the fact that I have Procomps fitted, muddies the water of responsibility. I still believe its an offset issue.

From the replies above, it appears this is not an isolated incident, and something all current model GU owners should be aware of when buying non-Nissan rims.

Can anyone suggest who I can take my flares to for repair. Would plastic rewelding work??

Neetas wrote:As a loyal customer, ARB have offered to refund the rims. They suggest ProComp should be held jointly liable, for the repair of the flares having stated that not all 285/75 tyres of the same nominal width are the same.

It appears only Nissan rims are +10mm offset and all other aftermarket rims for the GU are -13mm. Although it may be a red herring, ARB claim this fitment is within the legal requirements, being one inch. And they would recommend that same fitment again tomorrow if asked (how dumb is that given what they now know).

In my view, this still falls within the area of supplying goods not fit for purpose, although the fact that I have Procomps fitted, muddies the water of responsibility. I still believe its an offset issue.

From the replies above, it appears this is not an isolated incident, and something all current model GU owners should be aware of when buying non-Nissan rims.

Can anyone suggest who I can take my flares to for repair. Would plastic rewelding work??

Take it to your local smash repair shop. They will have a plastic welder and all the gear to repair your flares.

Cheers Mick.

You an use loctite 480 to fix the mounts. Or at least this works on the series III flares.
It says on the label it's instant adhesive, but you will need to clamp it overnight to acheive maximun strength.