Arch Liners - to yank or not to yank?

[Lurch92]

Hi Folks,

I have a T32 4Mo which I have lowered pretty much all the way on the NSL kit, with machined top mounts, and I’m running 275/35/r20 tyres on 9j’s

For the most part the van drives great, but when hitting a compression on the road it scrubs the arch liners, and when on full lock it does the same.

What have those running lower vans done when removing arch liners to stop crud getting in places it shouldn’t?

I was tempted to remove the arch liners and Raptor line the arches in black.

 

[Sasquatch]

Is the kit adjustable? If so adjusting it to prevent any tyre-liner spacial incompatibility events would be mynfirst port of call.

 

[Lurch92]

Is the kit adjustable? If so adjusting it to prevent any tyre-liner spacial incompatibility events would be mynfirst port of call.

It is adjustable, but I have no intentions of raising it. I lowered it for a handful of reasons to suit my requirements - both practical and aesthetic. It rides incredibly well, handles well, and I have no clearance issues on the road. It would be a shame to compromise all of this for a bit of plastic.

I have had plenty of low cars that I've removed arch liners from, but the van is a tool that gets used regardless of the conditions, hence my question.

 

[JumpShip]

What about reshaping them in places with a heat gun ?

 

[Lurch92]

It’s not a daft idea, I did try it - but maybe I need to be more aggressive with them.

 

[Sasquatch]

What about reshaping them in places with a heat gun ?

Aye, or maybe a strategic trim snd fibreglass?

VW are notorious penny pinchers (they owe $33 billion in fines around the world) so if they actually went to the trouble and consequential expense of fitting something theres a damn good reason its there.

Id be reluctant to remove them. It'll be a dreadful shite trap under there, and no ungent sprayed or painted in the direct line of fire will last long. Certainly rust will upset the aesthetic more than a few extra mm of ride height.

Also Mr MOT will get his red pen out if it fouls under normal test conditions.

So heat gun and or a trim and fiberglass, or combination thereof, seems the way forward.

 

[FWhite]

Cars have done without liners for decades. OK, they were simpler, but I think until the previous generation the Transit had no liners in the entry level version. Duh.
So, what about contacting a good car body shop and have your inside arches treated with a proper protective compound?
That would probably imply the de- mounting and re-mounting of the full suspensions and a few other stuff, I reckon.
Note that such job will help only for contacts with the liner, not with the arch lipe or the suspension.

 

[Sasquatch]

Cars have done without liners for decades.

And looked how they stopped rusting when they started to fit them. Cars wouldmoften need welding for their first MOT.

Me and my Dad wach had Volvo 240s back in the day, two years apart, each on the opposite side of the arch liner divide where my Dads, the later car, had the liners.

Guess which rotted pretty badly in those areas and which didn't?

Yep, mine needed welding at the base of the A pillar forward of the door hinges at 5 or 6 years, and Dad's needed no welding at all until he finally laid it to rest at 22 years old.

Our hero's van was manufactured with the intention of those being fitted. Consequently the areas behind have no impact resistant anti corrosion treatment, the nooks and crannies will have had no design attention to simplfy them and minimise dirt traps.

 

[Lurch92]

So, what about contacting a good car body shop and have your inside arches treated with a proper protective compound?
That would probably imply the de- mounting and re-mounting of the full suspensions and a few other stuff, I reckon.
Note that such job will help only for contacts with the liner, not with the arch lipe or the suspension.

So this was my exact thinking! I have access to a paint shop, and I fitted all the suspension myself so it’s no bother to have it off again.

I was thinking of using the same tintable lining, Raptor, that I painted the underside of my Mk1. It looks like a factory finish and is as tough as old boots.

The tyres don’t rub on the vehicle itself, just the liners, so no real concern once they’re out. It’s getting a T6.1 when I can be bothered to fit it, so the fresh new wings will go on with rolled lips to prevent any crud buildup.

I was just curious, before I did it, if anyone had any better ideas. The melting arch liners was a good shout, but I think I might be beyond that now!

 

[Pewt]

Smaller tyres.....done !!!

 

[Lurch92]

Given the responses above, it’s looking like my plan is probably the way to go.

I must admit I’m somewhat surprised by the lack of information… I’m far from the lowest van out there, and I’m not the first person to remove arch liners.

 

[ChestnutBrown]

Given the responses above, it’s looking like my plan is probably the way to go.

I must admit I’m somewhat surprised by the lack of information… I’m far from the lowest van out there, and I’m not the first person to remove arch liners.

I think you’ll find there was plenty of information given…just not the kind you wanted to hear.

 

[Pewt]

You’ll get more advice on this from the Lowdown lot.

 

[Phil_j89]

Less tyre required.

 

[drinfinity]

There is a Transporter Facebook group that occasionally pops up on my feed. Today it showed a front strut top mount rusted away, above a mucky and naked wheelarch. So I would definitely leave the liners on.

 

[Skyliner33]

There is a Transporter Facebook group that occasionally pops up on my feed. Today it showed a front strut top mount rusted away, above a mucky and naked wheelarch. So I would definitely leave the liners on.

But the strut top mount isnt covered by the liner. There is a big cut out for the strut to go through, so that area isn't protected at all.

 

[doncarlyon]

A 255/35 or similar should fix it

 

[Novakart]

You’ll get more advice on this from the Lowdown lot.

Yup ,you can just do a small amount of trimming & arch liner stays in place . Op,s problem is tyre as you mentioned.

 

[drinfinity]

But the strut top mount isnt covered by the liner. There is a big cut out for the strut to go through, so that area isn't protected at all.

ah… I need to go and do a proper job up there with the Lanoguard then.