Jeep Renegade Pinch Seam Trimming to Clear Bigger Tires Write-Up

Discussion in 'Renegade Write-Ups' started by wayoflife, Jan 8, 2016.

  1. wayoflife

    wayoflife Administrator Staff Member

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    After installing our new 1.5" Daystar Lift and a set of 225/75R16 Cooper Discoverer STT Pro mud terrain tires on our Jeep Renegade Trailhawk, we found that we had a some some minor rubbing at about a 3/4 turn of the steering wheel. After giving things a closer look, we found that the rubbing was being caused by the edge of the front tires making contact with dimples on the plastic fender liners. Apparently, these dimples exist because of a pinch seam located directly behind the liners and if we were going to address the rubbing we had, we were going to have to do some trimming. In this short write-up, you'll get to see where the problem spots are and what you will need to do to do to fix it.

    What you will need
    • Phillips Screwdriver
    • 10mm Socket
    • Ratchet
    • Vice Grips
    • Angle Grinder
    • Cut Off Wheel
    • Flap Disc or Flat File
    • Heat Gun
    • Gloves
    • Eye Protection
    • Chassis Paint
    • Marker
    • Bungee Cord

    Instructions
    Here's a shot of the driver side front tire right where the edge of it makes contact with the dimple on the fender liner.
    [​IMG]

    Looking up behind the fender liner, you can see the pinch seam that the dimple is created for.
    [​IMG]

    1. While we used a lift to help make it easier to photograph this install, all you will need is a floor jack, a pair of jack stands and wheel chocks. To begin your install, simply place the wheel chocks up against your rear tires, lift the front of your Renegade until the tires are off the ground and then set it back down on jack stands positioned under the frame rails and just behind the front tires.
    [​IMG]

    2. Using a 17mm socket, remove the lug bolts securing the front wheels to your Renegade.
    [​IMG]

    3. Remove your wheels and then lay them flat under the frame rails of your Renegade for extra safety. You can now get a better look at the dimple you will need to address.
    [​IMG]

    4. Starting on the driver side of your Renegade, use a phillips screwdriver, remove the screw securing the fender liner to the base of the rocker trim.
    [​IMG]

    5. Using a 10mm socket, remove the 2 plastic nuts securing the rear half of the fender liner to the body of the Renegade.
    [​IMG]

    6. Pull the fender liner back then hold it out of the way using a bungee cord as shown.
    [​IMG]

    7. Using a marker, draw a line across the corner of the pinch seam where you will be cutting it off.
    [​IMG]

    8. Using a grinder with a cut off wheel, proceed to score the corner of the pinch seam where you drew your line.
    [​IMG]

    9. Grab the corner of the pinch seam with a pair of vice grips and then work it back and forth until it breaks free.
    [​IMG]

    10. Clean up the rough edge with a flap disc or flat file and then touch up the exposed metal with some chassis paint.
    [​IMG]

    11. Release the plastic fender liner from the bungee cord and then soften up the dimple by heating it up with a heat gun as shown.
    [​IMG]

    12. Once the dimple in the plastic is soft enough, press it inward. Being that the plastic will be very hot, you will need to be wearing gloves when you do this.
    [​IMG]

    13. Repeat steps 11-12 until the dimple is effectively sitting concave to the surface of the fender liner.
    [​IMG]

    14. Reinstall the fender liner and secure it in place with the 2 factory plastic nuts and 1 screw and then repeat the whole process on the passenger side of your Renegade.
    [​IMG]

    15. Reinstall your wheels making sure to tighten the lug bolts to 90 ft. lbs. of torque. Remove the jack stands and set your Renegade back on the ground. As you can see in this photo, you should now have enough clearance between your new larger tires and the fender liner to prevent any rubbing.
    [​IMG]

    That's pretty much all you need to do. I hope this write-up has been helpful to you and of course, if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask. :cool:
     
  2. 10frank9

    10frank9 Moderator Staff Member

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    Great write up. Looks like a bit more work than taking a sawzall or grinding wheel to the JK's pinch seam.
     
  3. Cozdude

    Cozdude Moderator Staff Member

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    Great write up as always Eddie!

    I deff agree it's more work than the JK.
     
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  4. EnderAZ

    EnderAZ Active Member

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    Did mine but it seems like since the plastic isn't snug up against the wall, the plastic pushes forward a bit and barely touches the tire at partial turn. Going to pull the tires off on the weekend again and see if I can form the plastic better.
     
  5. EnderAZ

    EnderAZ Active Member

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    Ok, looking at yours I think I need to just cut off some more.
     
  6. ppholton

    ppholton Member

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    Did you have to do some trimming in the rear or just up front?
     
  7. wayoflife

    wayoflife Administrator Staff Member

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    Just the front and just for turning.
     
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  8. Dgr401

    Dgr401 Well-Known Member

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    I am not mechanically inclined and don't have the tools to accomplish mods like this. I do however enjoy the write-ups. I learn a lot about things that I never thought I would. Keep the "how to" write-ups coming. They are very enjoyable.
     
  9. Matt Mario

    Matt Mario New Member

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    So you say the tires are 225/75R16 does that mean you have to put a smaller rim with those tires and you can't use the stock rims?
     
  10. FireHawk

    FireHawk Active Member

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    That is correct, he went to a 16" wheel to be able to run those tires.
     
  11. Matt Mario

    Matt Mario New Member

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    So how big of a tire can you go with the stock 17" rim?
     
  12. paul

    paul Member

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    Yea I would love to know what size you can clear with the pinch seam trim and 1" spacers, but no lift. Seems like the pinch seam trim is a much safer/conservative modification than a lift...
     
  13. FireHawk

    FireHawk Active Member

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    People are running the BFG KO2 in 225/65/17 with no issues, that is the largest tire you can run stock with "more aggressive" tread pattern.
     
  14. notnalc68

    notnalc68 Moderator Staff Member

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    Do you think I could run them on a Trailhawk, with no lift yet, and just the wheel spacers?
     
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  15. FireHawk

    FireHawk Active Member

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    Highly doubt it.
     
  16. jellis2851

    jellis2851 Member

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    Is there a way you can just bend the pinch seam out of the way? Or do you need to cut it off?
     
  17. wayoflife

    wayoflife Administrator Staff Member

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    I tried that first and just couldn't get enough pushed back to make it work. Cutting is the only way to make it happen and even at that, it's still close.
     
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  18. slowurroll

    slowurroll Member

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    I'll be doing this either today or this upcoming weekend so I can mount my 225/75r16 BFG KO2's. How long did this take you or how long do you think it will take?
     
  19. Stanley Robinson

    Stanley Robinson New Member

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    I got the 225/65-17" I have no problem
    I do have a Trailhawk though maybe that's the difference!


    Sent from my iPhone using ToasterJeep mobile app
     
  20. jellis2851

    jellis2851 Member

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    If you had the exact same set up, but had the 2"ATP lift, do you think the pinch seam mod would still be needed to keep the tire from rubbing?

    Sent from my Pixel XL using ToasterJeep mobile app
     

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