need help with fender alignment....
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,342
Likes: 1
From: Jamestown, IN
need help with fender alignment....
Alright well I put my whole front end back together on my 51. I put that black tack stuff in between all the panels to eliminate any squeaks. I installed the valance last and I fought it and finally got all the bolts started. I had to loosen all the front end bolts to get it done. Now the rear of both front fenders stick out about an inch and a half away from the cab. I dont like this at all. I can push them back but Im afraid to because after a while of jolts and bumps I am afraid that the pressure might cause my mud to crack. Now i dont know why the front end is tight like that all the seams line up, but those fenders have pressure on them for some reason. Could it be that brace under the fenders are too long? I would not think so but i dont know..
Believe Nothing
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 7,519
Likes: 403
From: W. Central FL.
And the first question is, what metal is original and what is replacement? Is replacement aftermarket or OEM? Glass or steel? Do you have all the bolts loose? Search will find a good article by AXracer about setting up the front end.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,342
Likes: 1
From: Jamestown, IN
all the steel in the front is from 1952 or 1952. Now just about every piece came off of a different truck which i thought could be an issue due to different stresses, but i am unsure
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 4,685
Likes: 81
From: Northville, MI
Alright well I put my whole front end back together on my 51. I put that black tack stuff in between all the panels to eliminate any squeaks. I installed the valance last and I fought it and finally got all the bolts started. I had to loosen all the front end bolts to get it done. Now the rear of both front fenders stick out about an inch and a half away from the cab. I dont like this at all. I can push them back but Im afraid to because after a while of jolts and bumps I am afraid that the pressure might cause my mud to crack. Now i dont know why the front end is tight like that all the seams line up, but those fenders have pressure on them for some reason. Could it be that brace under the fenders are too long? I would not think so but i dont know..
So the point is that it will probably crack anyhow so you might as well bite the bullet fix it right. This may not be the spot that you are concerned about but the principle is the same.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,342
Likes: 1
From: Jamestown, IN
I thought that that cracked there because water got trapped behind that brace and rusted it. I figured that made it weak and that is why it cracked, but the issue right now is that it wont line up at the rear correctly
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 4,685
Likes: 81
From: Northville, MI
I think there should be a lot of us that have worked on fender alignment but pictures would help us a lot.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,300
Likes: 1,059
From: NM
I'd assume you know about the rubber filler strip at the rear fender-to-cab joint? The fender should be about 1/2" away from the cab.
There are some differences between 51 and 52 inner fenders, in how they attach at the firewall. Are you using 51 or 52 inners?
There are some differences between 51 and 52 inner fenders, in how they attach at the firewall. Are you using 51 or 52 inners?
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Tuned
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 318
Likes: 10
From: Metro Detroit, MI
What is the black sticky product that stops bumpers, and how was it recommended to you?
I hope that it is as simple of a fix as Ross points out...
I purchased some metal fenders that came with new inner fenders off craigslist... only these had a space for the battery and were rounded, unlike the flat ones that came off of my truck (52)... I have both sets... but will the rounded inners work so I can have the extra room for my motor swap? I am guessing they are from a pre 51, but the outers have the markings from the 52... they are the same color but I guess that does not guarantee same truck/year.
I will try to take plenty of pictures of my mockup process, which I hope to have done by the end of the month.
I hope that it is as simple of a fix as Ross points out...
I purchased some metal fenders that came with new inner fenders off craigslist... only these had a space for the battery and were rounded, unlike the flat ones that came off of my truck (52)... I have both sets... but will the rounded inners work so I can have the extra room for my motor swap? I am guessing they are from a pre 51, but the outers have the markings from the 52... they are the same color but I guess that does not guarantee same truck/year.
I will try to take plenty of pictures of my mockup process, which I hope to have done by the end of the month.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,342
Likes: 1
From: Jamestown, IN
I am using 51 inners with a 51 cab. The black sticky stuff is called strip caulk. You can buy it at macs. It is really sticky and smashes down really thin when you bolt it all up. Yes i know about the rubber pieces. They are on there, but there is an extra inch of gap and when i push it in you can see it flex the whole fender and I dont like that at all.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 16,194
Likes: 4,805
From: Burbank, WA
If I read what you're saying correctly, it was fitting ok before you loosened everything to put the valance in the front and retightened everything? If so, I'd suggest going back and redoing what you did, and have the running boards on so you can use that mounting area to hold the fenders in place when you retighten again. You've got something in a bind, it's just a matter of 'unbinding' it.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 4,685
Likes: 81
From: Northville, MI
I am using 51 inners with a 51 cab. The black sticky stuff is called strip caulk. You can buy it at macs. It is really sticky and smashes down really thin when you bolt it all up. Yes i know about the rubber pieces. They are on there, but there is an extra inch of gap and when i push it in you can see it flex the whole fender and I dont like that at all.
Your description makes it seem like your fender profile is not matching the cowl profile or one of those pieces is not set properly.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 16,194
Likes: 4,805
From: Burbank, WA
Not likely. Your fenders are way heavier than the strip caulk is strong. As I said above, you've got something in a bind and until you loosen everything back up and start over, you're going to struggle. That's jmho, fwiw.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,300
Likes: 1,059
From: NM
I don't see how you can do much to change the gap at the back. Is there a difference top to bottom at the back? The fender is attached to the slanted surface of the inner fender, the inner is attached to the seam on the cab, there's no in-out adjustment there. Spreading the front of the fenders out doesn't seem likely to help either, because the front is also attached to the inners which are bolted solid to the radiator saddle. Could the saddle be bent?
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,342
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From: Jamestown, IN
I dont think the saddle is bent. The original brace in the front of the radiator that runs side to side is perfectly straight and never been messed with. but when i put the valance in, I had to pull both doglegs in. it was kinda tough they were out there and that is why the bottoms of the rear are out.