Fender support question
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2012
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From: Central Oregon
Fender support question
Hello,
Quick question. I am doing my first attempts at body work on my 50 F1. So far, my patch panels (homemade) are working out. My question is on the front fender supports. Are the left and right interchangeable or side specific?
Mine came with two that appear identical and just wanted to know if I am missing one.
Thanks in advance.
Quick question. I am doing my first attempts at body work on my 50 F1. So far, my patch panels (homemade) are working out. My question is on the front fender supports. Are the left and right interchangeable or side specific?
Mine came with two that appear identical and just wanted to know if I am missing one.
Thanks in advance.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,283
Likes: 1,046
From: NM
When confronted with a question like this on these trucks, you will rarely go wrong by asking yourself, Could Henry save a penny by doing it this way? Using the same part twice saved a lot of money .
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2012
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From: Central Oregon
Just finished the rough patching on the passenger side fender and hung it. I assumed the top of the brace was in contact with the fender, but now see that it is just the outer corner that connects to the fender.
Thanks
Thanks
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2011
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From: Northville, MI
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: San Jose, CA
The pads are available from any repro parts vendors. Pads are to prevent metal-on-metal wear and damage when you lean on the fenders to do work inside the engine compartment. That's the most logical idea I could come up with. 
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2011
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From: Northville, MI
That sounds logical. I slipped a piece of semi-rigid sheet foam insulation between the rubber and the fender but it still didn't prevent oil canning of the fender when you lean on it. Maybe when I remove the fenders for painting I might add a self adhesive BetaBrace (see attached). That should take up the gap and add strength to the fender top. Has anyone tried that or am I the only one concerned about oil canning?
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: NM
I have 'glass front fenders (thicker than steel) and the rubber still comes nowhere close to contacting the fender. When I still had steel fenders, they'd oil can so bad that tools would flip off the fenders when I took my weight off them. Never any lasting damage from it.
Pete, I can't exactly tell from that Dow attachment, but is that the foam sandwich stuff that is about 1/8" thick?
Pete, I can't exactly tell from that Dow attachment, but is that the foam sandwich stuff that is about 1/8" thick?
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 4,684
Likes: 79
From: Northville, MI
I have 'glass front fenders (thicker than steel) and the rubber still comes nowhere close to contacting the fender. When I still had steel fenders, they'd oil can so bad that tools would flip off the fenders when I took my weight off them. Never any lasting damage from it.
Pete, I can't exactly tell from that Dow attachment, but is that the foam sandwich stuff that is about 1/8" thick?
Pete, I can't exactly tell from that Dow attachment, but is that the foam sandwich stuff that is about 1/8" thick?
I wouldn't call it foam it is more like a fiberglass patch with it's own adhesive. They make a variety of types. As we were cutting down on vehicle weight, particularly in the hood and doors, we ran into certain panels that would dent too easily. This would really make a big improvement in the strength of a panel while not adding significant weight. It is used by most all of the auto manufacturers in production of certain models. It is usually used in blind panels where there is no access from behind.
. I agree that if it contacted without any protection it would probably cause a spot to rust through. That is why I think something like BetaBrace would work as it would take up the gap, protect against rub through/corrosion, eliminate the oil canning and act as a sound deadener. I saw some similar products on Eastwood's website but I'm not sure that they are as strong as BetaBrace. I was just wondering if anyone else had tried anything.
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