Wheel Arch Brace

[JMF]

Just wondering what this brace type thing is under the front wheel arch of a 68 ?

Just for strengthening the front fender ?

It's just that my tire is slightly rubbing on it on the driver's side on right turns and bumps

I can go a smaller tire but just wondering if anyone has tried adjusting it for more clearance ?

It's rubbing on the bit just on the wheel arch lip/outer edge of tire(2nd pic)

Thanks

[Mike DC]

   
It's just part of the OEM fender structure.  Of course it can be modified, but don't get rid of it entirely or the fender skin will flop around. 

If you start modifying it, be careful that you don't move the whole main fender skin in the process.  '68 Charger fenders are a lot more valuable than tires.   


  

If the tire rubs during normal driving then it's usually too big, period.  Normal driving is a poor test of clearance.   

[JMF]

Thanks

I am actually buying new wheels with a better backspace of 4"

The current 15 x 7's have a backspace of 3 - 5/8" so I'm hoping the extra 3/4" BS on the new wheels should tuck them in further and clear the bit that's rubbing

Tires are 235/60/15 which should be ok as I've had that on previous Chargers

The car does sit a little low at the front but I like that stance so ideally don't want to raise the front

Worse case I'll just go down to a 225/60 or 215/60

I had 235/60/14 on there previously and they never rubbed

[b5blue]

4 1/2 is standard.

[Mike DC]

 
Yeah this sounds like a wheel offset problem.  235/60r15 is not that big. 


 

Leave the fenders alone.  Change the wheels.

[Kern Dog]

Just like I mentioned to you at the FBBO site, you can make this work but it takes some careful measuring. Slight negative camber can help too.
I have 18 x 9  wheels that clear just fine. Aluminum wheels often run about an inch wider than the advertised number due to the thickness of the aluminum. That means a 10" wide wheel fits these cars but you have to position it right.

[JMF]

Ok thanks for the replies

So you think the 4" BS on the new wheel which would be about 3/4" more BS than the current ones with the same 235/60/15 should clear it ok ?

Below is some better pics

The first 2 pics is the drivers side which rubs on that brace

The 3rd pic is the passenger side that doesn't rub , looks like someone has already moved that part up in the past because there's much more clearance on that side , thanks





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[70 sublime]

Looking at your pictures it looks like the pass side brace looks normal and the driver side brace is bent down some or has a twist to it 
Think I would bend the driver side up to look like pass side

[JMF]

Please Does anyone have a clear underneath shot of one with the wheels off etc of how that factory brace is supposed to look

Thanks

[JMF]

Ok many thanks

What's the easiest way to bend it up ?

Just a bit worried damaging anything after what DC said above

[70 sublime]

If it was mine I would just get a piece of wood like a 2x4 and get it up in beside the rubber tire and pry the brace back up

Or get some vise grips on it and bend it back up

The driver side looks like the edge of the brace has got caught on the tire and really twisted it down some 

[JMF]

Thanks will give it a go

Was just worried about damaging or distorting the front fender if I were to bend it back up

Does anyone have a clear pic of how that brace should look ?

Eg and underside pic without the front wheels on etc

Many thanks

[Kern Dog]

Hmmm....

Forgive the blurry images. I took pictures from a video of mine on TV.







Mine sort of follow the contour of the fender. Yours looks like it is bulged out at the point where the brace meets the wheel arch.