Roy’s Mazda MX-5 – Rear Guard Rolling, 25mm Pump and Front Guard Repair

Roy originally brought his Mazda MX-5 to AutoFX WA to have the rear guards rolled and pumped approximately 25mm to gain the additional clearance he needed for his wheel and tyre setup.

After the rear work was completed, Roy later returned to have the front guards looked at. As you can see in the video, the front tyre had actually grabbed the guard lip. Once a tyre catches the lip like this, it can pull or distort the edge of the guard very quickly, so it was important to address the problem before it caused further damage.

This is also why I prefer to look at where the tyre is actually making contact rather than assuming every clearance problem needs the same solution. Suspension height, wheel offset, tyre size and the amount of movement through the suspension can all change where contact occurs.

In Roy’s case, the rear guards needed a substantial 25mm pump, while the front became a separate issue after the tyre caught the lip. We could then assess the damage and work with the guard to improve the clearance and reduce the chance of the tyre grabbing it again.

Guard rolling and pumping is not simply about making a guard wider. The importance is creating the clearance the wheel and tyre combination actually needs while working within the limitations of the existing paint and bodywork.

Roy’s MX-5 is a good example of why it is worth keeping an eye on tyre clearance after changing wheels, tyres or suspension. A setup may appear to clear while the car is stationary, but once the suspension is loaded during normal driving, cornering or over bumps, the tyre can travel much further into the guard than expected.

AutoFX WA provides guard rolling and guard pumping from our O’Connor workshop in Perth, with each vehicle assessed individually based on the wheel and tyre setup, suspension, existing guard condition and the amount of clearance required.