peterc005

I've bought two new front fenders and new bonnet for my 1988 IROC.

The new panels are from Taiwan, but are supposed to be the better quality ones from Classic Industries.

When I fit the fenders though the horizontal lines across the middle of the fenders are almost 2cm higher than the matching line on the door panels.

I've done up the top bolts and tried pushing down on the top of the fender with the bottom bolts undone, but still no joy.

The original fenders were damaged, but still aligned ok.

Any suggestions on how to align the front fenders so that the horizontal line thru the guards and door match?

Pictures attached.

peterc005

Any suggestions appreciated.

CadeFirebird

That is really odd, the only problem Ive been having with mine is that the fender doesn't sit 100%flat with the door, but i think i just need to adjust them more.

Were there any differences between the 82-92 fenders? If so maybe you just got the wrong year...

peterc005

I'm pretty sure the front fenders were the same for all years./ They bolt up fine and all if the holes align, it's just the crease line down the centre of the fenders that doesn't align.

puma1552

iTrader: (1)

Send the aftermarket junk back and see if you can find a company that will ship used GM ones internationally.

peterc005

I'm booked into the paint ship in three weeks time so I don't have time to import parts.

They sell a lot of these fenders so it seems strange to get a problem like this.

I'm starting to think maybe it's something stupid. like they shipped Firebird fenders?

camarotucker

iTrader: (2)

Post pics of the fender to hood, top of fender to door, bottom of fender to door, front of fender to door. I would recommend of diffrent set of fenders (used), but I did see your location.

May be worth a read,
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/conv...rent-crap.html

peterc005

I did some research before buying the panels and the brand I chose was supposed to be ok. Can't remember if they were Golden Legion or Goodmark panels.

Interesting post about convertible fenders. Doesn't apply here though and the fenders bolt up fine on the bottom.

I recall reading that in the factory at the end of the assembly line they had people with big mallets to manually massage the correct fit of the panels. Wonder if that is the case here, if I can adjust them somehow?

stealtht/a

iTrader: (1)

Maybe it's the doors out of alignment?
I've seen some cars where people modified the hinges to make the doors line up with mangled fenders.

peterc005

Same thing occurred to me. I thought maybe the door is low rather than the fender being high.

The gap at the bottom of door is an even 5mm along the length, so the door appears ok.

I did notice that the top of the door is lower than the top of the fender. There are few Camaros here to look at and compare so it's hard to know.

My suspicion now if that the top of the fender is bent out of shape, causing the top of the fender to sit higher and drag the centre horizontal crease line up.

I'm thinking of getting a big rubber mallet to bank the fender down.

TreeFiddy

Is it the same both sides?

Edit: Also, can you lay the new panels over the old ones to see if there's differences in the crease line location?

splitface454

iTrader: (1)

I have goodmark fenders on my camaro, they fit like crap. there is a brace at the top back of each fender that needed to be bent it for the fenders to sit down on the car right. might want to check that out.

peterc005

@TreeFiddy - I think it's mainly a problem with the left fender, but I'll check the right side on the weekend.

@splitface454 - thanks for the tip, I think you might be on the money.

afremont

I'm glad to know that, especially since they cost so much. I need some parts for my truck and I was considering them. I might be stuck with them for all I know. Finding 50 year old mint fenders and doors is tough, even though they made so many.

This is the thing that really sux about aftermarket stuff. It might be perfect in so many ways, yet some trivial aspect of it will be perpetually screwed up. Kind like the filler necks on gas tanks. In this case, I take it that the fender is a good match, but the brackets are in the wrong location or crooked.

lmidden

i had that on my car i had the same at first i cut the inside of the fender off and the reinforcment then welded the original fenders reinforcement in and mounting stuff on. i had to lower my fender 3/8 of an inch. i did end up go to a junkyard after ramps collapsed ruining the fender.

blakecharles

welcome to the club!!! I got new finders too... all the bolt holes lined up fine... they where the only thing that did... tossed them and got 2 GM fenders from a junk yard... much better!

The aftermarket ones could be made to work, but for only $15/fender... pick-n-pull was a better choice for me.

blakecharles

why don't dynacorn or some other known company make an official reproduction?

lmidden

the sad truth is the cars arent worth much and no one is willing to spend the money for quality repop parts

86TA355SR

iTrader: (1)

Exactly, well put. Third gen market hasn't taken off like other generations. If it ever does, you'll be able to find every part to build one in a catalog.

I have saw so many build beautiful third gens and have to sell for some reason. That same effort, in say a first gen or second gen, will get you a lot more $. I agree, it is sad, but the facts for now. Maybe some day it will be different.

I have always loved third gens, but each one I buy, I know it isn't the best investment. I buy them to enjoy driving and wrenching on. And that stunned look when someone gets surprised in a Honda....

Hope you get the fender problem worked out, keep us posted.

Good luck