To wheel well liner, or not to wheel well liner??
 

I wanted to find out how many of you guys do or do not have your wheel well liners installed and what your experiences are?

I just just burned through my drivers side liner and I'm debating whether or not to get a new one, or just leave it off completely. For reference i just have stock wheels now, but it happened mostly when I had bigger and wider wheels.

My concerns for leaving them off, is possibly touching any wire harnesses, and also picking up rocks and chips on the road and having them flung into the engine bay. On the flip side I don't want to keep buying new wheel well liners every few months from the tires burning though them.

So let me know if you guys think it's ok to drive without them, or better to be safe?

You could always do something like this...?

http://www.rotaryaddicts.com/?page_id=240

you should keep them as they not only protect against shit going into your engine bay, they also protect a wire harness (Passenger and Driver's Side) that runs inside the fender well. if you "burned" thru your old ones, buy new ones before you find yourself with an electrical gremlin that you cannot find!

I cut mine so only the part that seals the engine bay is installed, also zip tied my wire harness up as high as possible. The engine bay stays clean, wire harness remains undamaged, and more clearance inside the fender well with no rubbing.

This is what I did as well. Basically the reverse of what theorie posted. The part they cut out you keep and reinstall.

Keep it... Why?? Tires throw lot of things.. Maybe some of you live in a state that has money to clean your streets but some of you don't.

Taking it off not only could cut wiring harness but all kind of stuff can get in your bay.. ie, paint, grease, tar, etc.. I had to troubleshoot one of my friends FD when he was blowing MAP sensors and it was due to cut wire that shorted from not running fender liner. I'm also not a fan of running mesh as any liquid barrier you have can get in your bay.. ie, blood, paint, rain, etc. It will protect from small stones, but not from liquids...

Sounds good, I'll have to pick up a new one then

After inspecting it better earlier, it seems the biggest reason why I burned through it was because some of the lower attachments had broken off, so it wasn't very tight and moved enough to touch the tires.

I just fixed mine with fiberglass to patch a small hole about 2"x5". I then painted it. Can't tell the difference.

Hit up Winston at Lehman Mazda
He can hook you up.
Mention my name or Joes.

Blood....uh. *calls authorities on Homicidal Herblenny*

Seriously though I get the aggressive fitment but if you're running through fender liners maybe the solution is to stop it from rubbing in the first place.

+2 will be making covers to block this hole..

What if one was to rivet an aluminum panel where the tire is rubbing that way the tire will not burn through it again. The only concern I have with this idea is that when the tire contacts the aluminum there might be enough friction to pull the fender liner loose of its mounts:scratch:.


John

Have been running my car for a few years without a fenderliner, you MUST ziptipe the harness as high as possible if you want to lower the car or you WILL burn through the harness.

I really wish they went through with the carbon fender liner group buy awhile back :/
Attachment 717097

LOL! I have ran over things in the past :)

Damn that carbon fender liner looks pretty damn sweet

I want that carbon fender liner it's probably more than I can afford though :(

Let me know how much they quote you for fender liners. Do you need just one side or both sides? Grab a quote for both, please! :-)

I only need the drivers side, but I was gonna pick up both anyway, unless they're an outrageous price. I'll let you know

So was thinking about this as far as heat and air flow goes. I have the harness tied up high and haven't had fender liners for a while. I do have widebody fenders, but after new ducting in the bay I find alot of air from the fans going out the wheel area of course.

Trying to get the hot exhaust air out of the bay, would I just cover the fender holes and the air end up going over the exhaust and out the bottom? Or should I not worry since the hot radiator air is getting out of the engine area now? I have my whole exhaust wrapped with manifold and a quality turbo blanket as well.