This Subaru SG Forester XT came into AutoFX WA for guard rolling on all four corners.

The job went well, with no issues during the work. The front liners also needed trimming to suit the finished clearance.

What was done

We rolled all four guards and trimmed the front liners where required.

That front-liner work is worth mentioning because wheel clearance is not just about the metal guard itself. Liners, clips and other parts around the wheel arch can also become the point of contact.

On this Forester, the guards and liners were dealt with together so the available clearance could be improved properly.

Why every guard rolling job is different

I don’t treat guard rolling as a one-size-fits-all job.

Wheel width, offset, tyre size, ride height, suspension movement and the shape of the guard all affect how much clearance is actually needed.

A car can look fine sitting still and still rub once the suspension compresses or the steering is turned.

That’s why the vehicle needs to be looked at as a complete setup rather than just rolling the lip and assuming the job is finished.

Paint condition

The guard lip is part of a painted panel, so the condition of the paint always matters before we start moving it.

Previous repairs, older paint, chips or cracking can all affect how safely a guard can be worked.

This SG Forester XT behaved well and the job was completed without issues, but that doesn’t mean every vehicle will respond the same way.

Finished result

All four guards were rolled and the front liners trimmed where required.

The job went smoothly and gave the vehicle the extra clearance it needed without any problems during the work.

If you’re considering guard rolling in Perth, AutoFX WA carries out guard rolling and wheel-clearance work from our workshop in O’Connor. We’ll look at the actual setup first and tell you what is realistically achievable before starting.