How to properly install fender trims on a Niva

One of the vulnerable parts of the car, along with the sills and fenders, are the wheel arches. Elements are constantly exposed to moisture and are the first to receive mechanical shocks from flying gravel and layered reagents in winter. Niva fender covers not only help prevent corrosion in vulnerable areas, but also improve the appearance of the car. Auto stores offer a wide selection of fenders of various configurations; you can make the fender yourself and install it in the garage in 40 minutes.

Overlay functions

Fenders or wheel arch extensions are arched, round, or less often square plates that are installed along the rim of the car's fender, protecting the edge. They are mounted on the body with self-tapping screws through special plates or with auto glue. 80% of the fastening of arches to the wings of the VAZ 2121 is carried out in standard places; the manufacturer produces repair inserts (arches) of the wing for all modifications of the VAZ, made of stainless chrome-plated steel. The purpose of the inner linings on the wheel arches:

• protection of the inner part of the wing metal from premature corrosion;
• improving the appearance of the car;

For Niva, extensions are produced that protrude beyond the dimensions of the body. The elements are mounted on both cut and uncut standard elements. The additional purpose of the part is to protect the side windows from dirt and small stones when driving off-road.

Materials used for manufacturing:

1. LLDPE - thermoplastic low pressure polyethylene.
2. ABS plastic.
3. Heat resistant rubber.

It is recommended to mount the metal body kit only on self-tapping screws; plastic and polyethylene extenders are also installed on them, but through an additional plate or without it.

Kinds

By appearance, tuning elements can be divided into categories:

1. Semicircular. They are made of steel and often extend beyond the dimensions of the body. For niva they are made individually for standard holes.
2. Square. Tuning is made individually for a specific model and year of manufacture. Most often they are mounted on a cut rear arch; it is recommended to install square extensions at a service station. 70% of fenders of this shape are made of ABS plastic.
3. Round. Plastic is used to make round flares, and rubber is used for cut arches. The kit includes fastenings; during installation, you must additionally drill mounting holes on the wing.

Individual tuning will give the car originality and style. For Niva, extensions are not only a decorative element, but also a necessity, especially if the model is converted to run on wide-profile tires for off-road driving. If the tire protrudes beyond the dimensions of the car, then a regular factory arch will not protect the glass and body from the dirt that flies from under the wheels when driving off-road. Extenders in this case become a necessary safety element, providing the driver with maximum visibility of the road.

Wheel hub spacers

Track wideners - wheel hub spacers
Wheel hub spacers make it possible to widen the track, which provides the SUV with some advantages. Namely:

• If an SUV is lifted and its center of gravity is higher than usual, there is always a risk of overturning or, simply, “making ears.” By widening the track with spacers, you can achieve better stability of the car and corner more sharply, take on more serious hills and not worry about capsizing;
• Wheel spacers for rims allow you to install larger diameter wheels without major changes to the SUV body. And if cutting arches doesn’t scare you, then spacers can come in handy in cases where the enlarged wheels touch any power units;
• The appearance of a car with a widened track becomes more aggressive and attractive, but this is not for everyone.

Track wideners - hub spacers

Wheel hub spacers also have disadvantages, not without them:

• The SUV will drive in its own track (the greater the likelihood of this, the thicker the wheel spacers). This means that the wheels will make their way through the mud on their own, and even when moving in a column, it will not be possible to use the common track - it will be more difficult to make your way through the mud, and the load on the engine will increase. But when installing tires of a serious size, this minus can be crossed out;
• With an extended track there will always be a risk of falling into the rut from heavy equipment or trucks. When ordinary cars are able to drive inside such a serious rut, an SUV with spacers will constantly slide into it and can eventually get seriously stuck (although here, of course, everything depends on the spacer between the steering wheel and the seat, that is, on the pilot and his skills);
• Installing spacers on the hub increases the load on the bearings, which can lead to rapid wear and failure. But there are no clear opinions here, since, naturally, no one has conducted full-fledged tests with open results. There is an opinion that if the hub bearing is already good in itself, then a spacer will not make it any worse. And if the bearing periodically still requires replacement, then with a spacer this replacement will become regular;
• Spacers on the hub can make the track wider by 8 centimeters, which quite naturally leads to the SUV being covered in mud. If you do not install wider arch extensions, then the car will tip over very quickly off-road. Although, for many this is not a serious disadvantage.

Track wideners - hub spacers

In addition, a very serious point needs to be highlighted separately - regardless of the quality of the hub spacer, there is always a risk that the wheel and it will simply fall off. And if this happens in the mud, then the problem can still be solved somehow, but if it happens on the highway or during high-speed traffic in the city, it can result in serious trouble.

It follows from this that if you install track wideners on an SUV, then either those of your own making (when you are exactly sure of what exactly you are making and from what), or from trusted companies and brands that have proven themselves well in this matter (not one and not two years in the spacer manufacturing business, but at least 8-10 years with good reviews for 95%). Now there are a lot of offers for spacers - track wideners for UAZ or Niva are sold almost everywhere. There are also plenty of offers for other SUVs, but given the simplicity of the manufacturing technology of this unit, in most cases the quality of the spacers leaves much to be desired.

Track wideners - hub spacers

And one more important point - it is recommended to install track wideners of the same thickness both forward and backward. It will be easier for the rear wheels to follow the track from the front ones and the overall aesthetic appearance of the car will be much more attractive.

If finances allow, then instead of track wideners it would be much more reasonable to install wheels with a negative offset - at least the reliability of such a direct connection of the wheel to the hub will be much better than a sandwich of a hub, wheel, spacer and two pairs of studs. This will not reduce the load on the bearings, but at least driving safety will be at a higher level. Although, on the other hand, if the spacers are really good, then you can drive hundreds of thousands of kilometers with them without any problems.

Features of the material

Most drivers choose plastic fender flaps for the Niva 2121. The material is highly durable and, when properly processed, the flare does not corrode and provides reliable protection.

The price of plastic wings for Niva Vis starts from 2,400 rubles. In 70% of variants, pickup trucks are sold already with overlays. Plastic parts are made of low-density polyethylene, and ABS is used for the wing. Main advantages:

• resistance to corrosion;
• allow installation of larger diameter tires;
• plastic is UV resistant;
• high strength and flexibility.

The disadvantages of wings and extensions include the need for complete replacement under mechanical influence of medium force. If a dent forms on the steel plate after an impact due to careless parking, the plastic element will crack in this case.

Fender Manufacturers

VAZ Niva is one of the classic models of the Volga Automobile Plant. These configurations provide two types of arch extensions: square and round. Round fenders, in turn, are divided into wide and narrow. There are more than 20 companies on the market that offer wheel arch extensions and protective edge trims made for a specific configuration.

Original Niva door trims complete with wheel arch extensions are offered by the AvtoVAZ workshop (Togliatti). The cost of a set of 6 arched parts is 1500 rubles. Fenders are made from ABS plastic; there are two types in the model range:

• shagreen, with a relief pattern, do not require painting;
• with a primed surface for painting.

The extensions completely follow the relief of the arch; the body does not require additional cutting. Tuning protects the fenders of an SUV from mechanical damage from gravel, prevents corrosion, and prevents the vehicle's windows from quickly becoming dirty.

The Tuningcars63 LLC company offers a set of square trims for the Niva costing from 2,300 rubles. Tuning elements are made of high-strength ABS plastic for painting and “shagreen” type. During installation there is no need to cut the arches; the fenders exactly follow the geometry of the body. Square plates act as tuning and protect the edge of the arch from mechanical damage.

Square pads do not protect the car from dirt if wheels with zero offset are installed, i.e. alloy wheels on wide tires.

The Tuning Auto company produces complete linings for Niva arches and doors. The cost of parts starts from 2000 rubles. Fenders and moldings are made of heat-resistant rubber, serve as a decorative element, and give the car a finished shape. You can purchase individual parts for square and round arches at a price of 600 rubles. a piece.

Today, under the FENDERS (LAPTER) brand, trims and extensions are produced for the entire VAZ model range. For the Niva, square and round plastic elements with a rubber seal and fasteners are offered. During installation, you will need to expand the arches and cut off the edges.

Installation

Manufacturers manufacture wheel arch linings for the Niva 2121 with the expectation that the driver will carry out the installation himself. The kit includes:

• mounting elements: aluminum strips, bolts, screws;
• rubber or plastic fenders;
• installation instructions.

Each arched overlay must have a drawing inside indicating where and on which wing the part is attached. The extender is selected for a specific year of manufacture and modification of the Niva, this allows you to avoid additional work during installation, you will not need to cut the trim or drill additional holes for self-tapping screws on the body.

If square trims are installed, mudguards must be added to the tuning.

If the kit does not include a rubber seal or cambric, the part must be purchased separately. The length of the seal is calculated from the size of the arch. Installing the arch trim step by step:

1. Treat the edge of the arch with gun fat; it is not recommended to use bitumen mastic to prevent corrosion; the material will not provide the necessary protection for the part.
2. Warm up the sealant, cambric, and apply it to the arch.
3. Insert the mounting plates into the rubber or plastic seal, position them at a distance of 3-4 cm from the edge of the pad.
4. Screw the part with self-tapping screws.

If the fender is made of plastic and completely follows the geometry of the body, the kit does not include fixing plates. The part has holes for self-tapping screws. Before installation, the edge of the arch is treated with an anti-corrosion compound, this will prevent the spread of rust at the joints of the screws and the metal of the wing.

Which fender flares are right for me?

For domestic SUVs - Niva and UAZ, they most often use standard plastic (rubber (rubber-plastic)) arch extensions and fasten them using ordinary self-tapping screws with press washers, as well as plates, which are quite suitable for suspension from the profile.

For higher class cars, in order not to drill holes in the fender, use a more gentle option with double-sided tape. This method of fastening is much simpler and faster, but it has a significant drawback - adhered dirt must be regularly cleaned off, otherwise the expander may come off under its weight.

When purchasing universal arch extensions , you can immediately purchase a mounting kit with screws and plates already treated with an anti-corrosion agent to prevent rust.

Advice: to prevent corrosion on the wing at the attachment point, the screws must be treated with Movil before screwing in, as well as the entire area that will be hidden by the expander itself.

Installation recommendations

The original Niva Urban arch covers have a mudguard up to 50 mm wide. Before installation, the edge must be cleaned and primed. When installing, it is recommended to take into account the following nuances:

1. The most vulnerable place for corrosion to occur is where the self-tapping screw enters the wing. Drivers recommend dipping it in Movil before screwing it in and using cannon lard or a preservative for the internal cavities.
2. When installing rubber elements, it is not recommended to use a drill for installation, but to screw in the screws using muscle force.
3. At the first stage, the screws are screwed in a third around the perimeter of the arch, the lining is checked for distortion, then the fasteners are tightened.
4. If the arched thresholds are not cut, then it is better to install plastic linings, otherwise rubber ones with a cord along the edge.
5. The aluminum trim on the Niva rear door is installed after the wheel arch has been converted.
6. Extensions for arches with a width of more than 3 cm change the overall size of the car, this may cause the traffic police inspector to file claims for “unauthorized conversion of the vehicle,” which is prohibited by the rules.

Arch covers are always used as an additional means of protecting body metal from gravel impacts and premature corrosion. Whether or not to install additional extensions to protect the sidewall from dirt is up to each driver to decide for himself.

• Accessories for Chevrolet Niva

Installation of fender liners on a Chevrolet Niva Installation of fender liners on a Chevy Niva has its own characteristics, which require consistency. It can be done at home, as they say, with your own hands, without involving the help of specialists at a service station.

This work will consist of the following stages: Preparing the car for installation - washing, cleaning, anti-corrosion process, drying, etc.

Selection of fender liners for Chevrolet Niva. Installation of lockers in the wheel arches of the front and rear wheels. Check to see if there is any friction between the wheels and the wheel arch liners.

Arch extensions for Niva or your car. Cognitive corrosion protection

Let's look at each stage separately. This is necessary in order to remove from the protected surface the layer of dirt and chemicals that remain on it. If these actions are not carried out, then after some time the body will need to be repaired. Preparation includes: Washing the surface of the wheel arches with car shampoo, removing residual dirt from all corners of the wheel arches.