Sam 4 Posted February 6, 2006 I am going to be fitting some 8" wide 16s to the car very shortly (with low profiles) and will obviously need to hack about the rear arches. Have many people done it before? The rear arch has a kind of "roof" which joins the outer skin almost instantly, do I cut out the outer skin and then somehow refix the "roof" to the outer panel? Has anyone got any pictures of the inside of either GTI or base model rear arches, so I can explain a little easier? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
allanallen 528 2 Cars Posted February 6, 2006 (edited) I did this on mine the inner arch is bonded to the outer arch i cut the outer arch away so there was just enough left to screw the arch exstension on then hammered the inner arch up to meet the outer then welded them together painted them and undersealled recon id get 18s on if i wanted no pics sorry you will also need to chop a bit of the back bumper away but the arch covers it anyway Edited February 6, 2006 by allanallen Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stu_woac 1 Posted February 10, 2006 are you keeping the non gti look sam?? if so I was able to beat the inner arch flat to the outer body with no damage to the outer skin. but you could just cut the inner arch out then fold up higher and use seamsealer to seal back up, I can get pics over the weekend as axle is coming off for you if needed 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sam 4 Posted February 12, 2006 Stu, I'll probably be fitting some rallye arches, or maybe the wider ones, to cover the 8J rims. Some pics would be very handy thanks Sam Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stu_woac 1 Posted February 12, 2006 change of plans this weekend for personal reasons so I have not got the rear beam off should come off during the week now if your going to hide it then your not going to have to much of a problem I'd love to see these on after tho it will look phat LOL Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sam 4 Posted February 19, 2006 Just ordered the arches! I'll keep this thread updated. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Miles 331 1 Cars Posted February 19, 2006 Just be careful, A lad who lives a couple of doors up from a mate, Got a ban put on his car (needs new MOT) as his wheels/tyres where rubbing and sticking out to far, Well the car's silly low with around 5mm travel at the back before the bump stop but that got over looked Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sam 4 Posted February 20, 2006 I have plenty of travel all round but the wheels don't rub, the fronts do stick out a fair wack but I can only see the police pulling me over if I drive like I want to be pulled over, which I don't. thanks for the warning though, everyone who's seen the car has said "Isn't that illegal" - which it is but its not like I'm about to sort it.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
speedy 2 Posted February 22, 2006 I have Azev 8 x 16's going on my car and i cut the arches. you need to cut the outer panel and cut the inner panel. than get them welded togather ( always remember to seal it from the inside properly togather as well just in case). In most cases it also strenghtens the bodywork. Only downside is you might need to respray the sides. We do it regularly when fitting wide body kits or arches. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sam 4 Posted February 22, 2006 I think I'll do it with seam sealer, apparently this is how the GTI is done, I may weld, we'll see. Sam Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sam 4 Posted February 26, 2006 http://temp.noboost.com/rear3.jpg http://temp.noboost.com/rear4.jpg It started getting dark so I've only done one side, need to get some decent sealer too before I can do much more. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stu_woac 1 Posted February 26, 2006 did you eat the arches away sam lol looking good tho keep it up almost there Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sam 4 Posted February 26, 2006 I didn't fit these wheels on standard arches. They'd never have fitted I just hope I can seal it all up nicely so it doesn't rust or anything. Cape it in sealant should do it. I'm going to send away the front arches (I had the wider ones) as they are TOO wide and it looks a bit silly. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stu_woac 1 Posted February 26, 2006 have you cut the bumper away abit to as you may find it will rub that too my 15 195 50 did with standard shocks and a boot full of crap so they may do to because of there size Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sam 4 Posted March 5, 2006 I've cut away the bumper quite a bit. I also cut a good extra inch height wise on the arch pictured above. Ended up cutting alot away, coated it all in zinc primer and then used a load of sikoflex sealer. I'll get some pics tomorrow. Just need the front arches now!! Sam Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
paul205mi16 4 Posted March 6, 2006 dont surpose that u have any pics of the cutting on the inner arches as im doing exactly the same to my xs(cutting and putting euro rally arches on!) would be help ful to see before i start on mine Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sam 4 Posted March 6, 2006 I'll take some tomorrow if I get some spare time! Sam Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tom_m 0 Posted March 6, 2006 looking good sam, i'm glad you haven't gone for the HOOGE front arches, it woulda ruined the look of your car! you haven't let on yet what you're gonna do about colour? are you keeping it a secret? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sam 4 Posted March 7, 2006 The arches are staying black if thats what you mean? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
