Reproduction Fender Issues

[392Hemi]

I'm blown away how bad these muscle car gt fenders fit.. both sides fit equally as bad yet my factory ones sit perfect. Anyone have some advice on these? Here's a couple comparison pictures

[392Hemi]

They also hug the wheel a good amount more

[mongocanfly]

Welcome to the world of crappy repop parts...things like this is why so many people say use oem whenever possible...is that another right side you got hanging on the wall? I would compare it to the left side that's on the truck...I'd rather have two the same as two that are mismatched...looks like your wheel is a little far to the front in the opening...have you squared the bed? measure corner to corner..if the beds not square it could cause issues..on the wheel hug, is the bed centered on the frame..off just a tad will show big on the tire..

[dwcsr]

Bolt it to the bedside starting at the top bolts around to the rear. Clamp it at the red arrow and get a ratchet strap and pull back at the orange arrow and let it sit for 3 or 4 days that way. I think you'll find it conforms fairly well to the original shape and the lower front should come outward to the side when you do this giving you the clearance you want.

[392Hemi]

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

Welcome to the world of crappy repo parts...things like this is why so many people say use oem whenever possible...is that another right side you got hanging on the wall? I would compare it to the left side that's on the truck...I'd rather have two the same as two that are mismatched...looks like your wheel is a little far to the front in the opening...have you squared the bed? measure corner to corner..if the beds not square it could cause issues..on the wheel hug, is the bed centered on the frame..off just a tad will show big on the tire..

Yeah I'm wishing my stock ones were salvageable but they are pretty rough! I do have the right side and they both fit the same. I tried to get help from the manufacturer a year ago and they avoided me of course.

[MARTINSR]

I rather spend 40 hours on an original fender than spend a dime on a reproduction one.

Brian

[vintovka]

Exhausted *****ing about repop fenders. Bottom line fix old for $500 get good fit. Replace with a repop pay $1000+ get lousy fit, wrong seam lines and the nagging reminder a big piece of your American dream came from a Chinese walmart

[my56chevytruck]

Yes, repops seems to be stamped out in the back garage of some foreign shop, so I'd do anything and everything to use your OEM's. You can stretch and pull using ratchet straps. hopefully that'll make them closer. good luck.

[Daze57]

This is a huge pet peeve with me --- i have worked and reworked repop fenders and as close as i get -----well lets say its the best i can do
maybe it cost way to much to make a decent fit fender or maybe the metal just aint right -- with all the money we spend for fit snd finish --------it dont fit -------and i'm finished
but we continue -----that is our american spirit !!!!

[vintovka]

This issue makes one wonder if vendors even check the quality of what they sell. Done with many especially any in CA.

[392Hemi]

Classic parts told me "we have sold hundreds of these without any problems". So I said yeah because most people that buy them are paying a body shop to build their truck and they have to rework the fenders. " well yeah the fender is gonna need work obviously". Really??! So now you're admitting they won't fit worth a crap

[MARTINSR]

Oh yeah, "You're the first to say a thing about them." LOL

Brian

[my56chevytruck]

haha, I read what MARTINSR said, I was also told, "you're the first complaint we've had on those repop parts, needless to say, I laughed at them. Then I told them NEVER AGAIN!!!

[vintovka]

MAybe a forum thread devoted to crap parts would get vendors attention. We're talking about a a billion dollar industry that charges top dollar for sub-grade parts. Not buying the "if it wernt for us " BS either,