Spring is here, and that means it’s time for tool reviews! This time, we’re diving into the Parts Shop Max fender roller, designed specifically for low-riding cars and those with short suspensions – perfect for vehicles like Miatas, which often require adjustments to their Car Fender Parts for optimal wheel fitment.
However, be warned, this review might contain some strong language because, frankly, this tool is far from perfect.
Unboxing the Fender Roller: A Disappointing Start
The “unboxing experience” for the Parts Shop Max fender roller is about as minimal as it gets. Inside the box, you’ll find the tool itself and… a generous amount of packing peanuts. That’s all.
Notably absent are:
- Any form of instructions.
- A packing list to confirm contents.
- Even a basic receipt.
Upon inspection, the tool was covered in greasy packing peanuts, with no protective wrapping whatsoever. Spending nearly fifteen minutes cleaning styrofoam from the gears was hardly the ideal start. This lack of attention to detail in packaging immediately raises concerns about the overall quality and user-friendliness of this car fender part modification tool.
Putting the Fender Roller to the Test: Functionality and Flaws
Despite the complete lack of instructions, I wasn’t going in completely blind. Having rolled fenders on two Miatas previously – once with a hammer and another time using the Eastwood blue fender roller – I had some experience with modifying car fender parts.
The Eastwood roller, in comparison, was a reliable tool. It performed well but presented challenges on the Miata’s rear suspension due to its height, especially with aftermarket short shocks. This limitation was the primary reason for seeking out the Parts Shop Max roller, which claimed to be better suited for low cars.
Unlike the Eastwood roller, which can operate effectively with just two lug nuts (at the 3 o’clock and 9 o’clock positions) due to its fulcrum being at the 12 o’clock position, the Parts Shop Max tool has its fulcrum at the 6 o’clock position. This design means all the force is concentrated at the bottom of the hub, rather than being distributed more evenly. This difference in design is crucial when working on delicate car fender parts.
The fender roller arrived with the bending arm attached to the hub pad using the lowest bolt hole, designed for maximum arm length adjustability. However, this initial setup proved to be problematic. The lower arm hole, while offering adjustability, is also the culprit behind potential damage to your lug stud.
Using the lug-stud-damaging bolt hole initially, and compounded by the fact that there’s insufficient thread to properly secure a lug nut on the lower stud in this configuration, I made a critical error. I proceeded using only the 3 o’clock and 9 o’clock lug nuts, mirroring my experience with the Eastwood tool.
This is where the fundamental flaw of the Parts Shop Max design became painfully evident. As predicted, with all force directed downwards, the tool not only chewed into Sharka’s lug stud but also began to bend itself out of shape. The mounting pad deformed significantly under pressure, bending about 10mm out of flat. This near-instantaneous damage underscores a major design or instruction oversight, particularly when dealing with sensitive car fender parts.
Salvaging the Situation: Repair and Reluctant Success
Despite nearly destroying it, I managed to salvage the tool. The mounting pad’s surprisingly soft metal allowed for some remedial work with a hammer and bench vise. After an hour of careful adjustments on the garage floor, figuring out the tool’s mechanics and proper assembly (entirely without instructions), I managed to flatten the mounting pad enough to use it.
Eventually, by using all four lug nuts as I should have from the start (a critical detail absent from any documentation), and with a completely re-bent and understood tool, I successfully rolled the fenders on a Miata.
The Silver Linings (Very Few):
- The rolling cylinder itself is of decent quality, made from a solid, yet not overly hard material.
- The bending arm offers a good range of adjustability, accommodating even short rear Miata shocks.
- It was, technically, repairable after initial damage.
Conclusion: Heed the Warning – Consider Alternatives for Your Car Fender Parts
The resounding verdict? DO NOT BUY THIS TOOL.
However, if you find yourself stuck with the Parts Shop Max fender roller, here are crucial tips to prevent disaster when working on your car fender parts:
- Always secure the roller to your hub using all lug nuts.
- Ensure the mounting pad and bending arm attachment point are completely flush against each other, using the 6 o’clock hole configuration correctly. Avoid any angle between these components.
- Constantly check for any rubbing between the roller and lug studs.
- Monitor for any bending of the tool itself while tightening the arm.
To avoid the headache and potential damage, opt for the Eastwood fender roller or explore other reputable brands. If you already own the Parts Shop Max roller, consider this review a critical instruction manual – proceed with extreme caution and perhaps, consider it disposable.
