What Is a Fender Liner and What To Do if Damaged- Fix Auto USA (2024)

July 8th, 2020 by Fix Auto USA

What Is a Fender Liner and What To Do if Damaged- Fix Auto USA (1)

Almost everyone knows what a fender is, and most people we’d wager know what a fender bender is, or can figure it out.

But do you know what a fender liner is? How about a fender liner replacement?

It’s actually pretty important to know about fender liners, especially if you live in a part of the country where it’s prone to snow.

A fender liner, AKA inner fender liner, is simply a plastic barrier between the fender and the engine, and it comes installed in most modern cars. Each front wheel has a separate fender liner. Its job is to block dirt, mud, water, environmental toxins, slush (in snowy areas), and other impurities from seeping into the engine bay and causing severe corrosion and harm. It also helps protect the wiring and other components inside of the wheel well from corrosion.

In older cars, the inner fender liner tends to be made out of metal, and in more modern cars, thermoplastic, which is a non-corrosive and robust material. Fender liners come in various types and are attached by screws, plastic clips, and tabs. It is not uncommon for them to become loose, damaged, or to completely come off.

Fender liner damage

They are especially prone to get damaged in wintertime. When it is cold, plastic parts can break very easily. Driving over packed snow or a high curb could cause damage to your fender liners. If you are driving in the rain with a damaged or missing fender liner, moisture could get inside the wheel well and corrode the headlight’s wiring.

Fender liner repair

Fender liner damage in general, and corrosion on the wheel well specifically, is a big concern. It is the reason why fender liners should be inspected routinely and replaced if needed. A technician should inspect the wheel thoroughly to determine if the corrosion has already started to accumulate. If you have an older car, fender liner replacement is critical; otherwise, the entire wheel well will eventually become corroded.

Because the fender liner is positioned farther back in the wheel well, it is not visible unless you remove the tire. We want to emphasize that neither fender liner repair nor fender liner replacement is a do-it-yourself project. You could, inadvertently, end up causing more damage and making the situation worse.

Fender liner replacement

You can get your fender liner replaced at your local Fix Auto shop. First, we’ll check to make sure your fender liner needs replacement. Our highly trained technicians will need to remove your wheels in order to see and access the fender liner.

If it doesn’t need to be replaced, our knowledgeable Fix Auto technician will let you know. If your inner fender liner is hanging loose, we might be able to re-attach it. If it is damaged or cannot be securedappropriately, then it must be replaced as a loose liner that could present a safety hazard.

If you suspect your car require a fender liner replacement, call us today at (800) Info-Fix or make an appointment online.

This blog post was contributed byFix Auto Modesto-City Center, a leading industry expert and collision repair shop servicing customers in Modesto-City Center and California’s Central Valley neighborhood.

What Is a Fender Liner and What To Do if Damaged- Fix Auto USA (2024)

FAQs

What does a fender liner do? ›

A fender liner's purpose is to protect the engine from mud, slush, and snow that is thrown up from the rotating wheels. It also guards the engine bay against road debris and other external elements as they can cause damage and corrosion.

Can I drive my car without a fender liner? ›

Fender liners are not a manufacturing requirement for vehicles; however, it's better to have them because they are designed to protect your vehicle.

How does a fender liner get damaged? ›

When it is cold, plastic parts can break very easily. Driving over packed snow or a high curb could cause damage to your fender liners. If you are driving in the rain with a damaged or missing fender liner, moisture could get inside the wheel well and corrode the headlight's wiring.

Can you fix a fender liner? ›

You can replace an old or damaged fender liner using common tools in roughly an hour. Replace the fender liner if a collision deformed it or if the part shows chips, fractures, and severe wear. Prices for replacement inner fender liners range from less than a dollar for a single unit and up to $730 for a set of four.

How much does replacing a fender cost? ›

As with the fender repair cost, the front fender replacement cost is variable and changes depending on the size of your vehicle. Smaller vehicles can get a new fender for around $1,000, while SUVs, pickup trucks, and other larger models tend to cost anywhere between $1,500 and $6,000.

What happens if your fender liner comes off? ›

The fender liner is the one most crucial pieces of equipment on a vehicle. It's the centre point of all mechanical devices. The suspension will fall off if a fender liner is missing.

What happens when liners get damaged? ›

Damaged Brickwork

If you have holes in your chimney liner, there is a good chance that your chimney is beginning to crumble. The mortar between bricks can become porous and allow gasses to escape and moisture into your chimney, accelerating its breaking down.

How do you repair a fender? ›

If the fender is scratched, there are two different ways the scratch can be repaired. In some instances, minor scratches can be buffed out. If the scratch is deep, it may need to be filled in before it can be buffed and painted to get rid of the scratch. Many dents can be pulled out of a fender.

How much is a broken fender liner? ›

Fender liners can cost anywhere between $3 and $400. They can come individually or in pairs. They can also be bundled with other body panels like fenders and hoods.

How do you fix a car liner? ›

One of the easiest ways to put the headliner back into its place is to use glue. It will best work if the fabric is sagged partially, like in a corner or around the edges. To effectively fix headliner in car without removing, you have to apply a special headlining adhesive because ordinary glue will be of no use.

Is it better to repair or replace fender? ›

If the damage to the fender is significant enough, it should get replaced. While that may sound like you are in for a timely and expensive repair, think again. Fender replacement is almost always cheaper than replacing a door, for example.

What is the purpose of a fender cover? ›

Good car fender covers should protect your car in the event that an oil or coolant spill occurs and should repel harmful liquids like brake fluid that can possibly damage a car's paint. Using car fender covers ensures there is an extra layer of protection between the cars and the chemicals that you may be working with.

What does a paint liner do? ›

A paint tray liner allows for greater efficiency in the completion of painting projects by removing the necessity to clean out paint trays in between new colors or coats, or at the end of a painting session.

Are wheel well liners necessary? ›

Can I drive without a wheel well liner? Yes, you can drive your car or truck without wheel well liners installed. However, it isn't recommended because it leaves the wheel wells' metal surfaces exposed to road spray.

Can I take out my fender liner? ›

Use a flat screwdriver to get under the plastic cap. Then twist the handle a ¼ turn, as the retainers aren't threaded like screws and will pop out. Use the screwdriver to pry off the plastic base as well, then move to the next. There may be over a dozen retainers in a single liner.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Arielle Torp

Last Updated:

Views: 6123

Rating: 4 / 5 (61 voted)

Reviews: 92% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Arielle Torp

Birthday: 1997-09-20

Address: 87313 Erdman Vista, North Dustinborough, WA 37563

Phone: +97216742823598

Job: Central Technology Officer

Hobby: Taekwondo, Macrame, Foreign language learning, Kite flying, Cooking, Skiing, Computer programming

Introduction: My name is Arielle Torp, I am a comfortable, kind, zealous, lovely, jolly, colorful, adventurous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.