Everything You Need To Know About Car Fender

Fenders are panel sheets made of metal or plastic present on the side of the vehicle, by the door, around the front and rear wheels. Most of the time, fenders take the shape of the wheels. While some manufacturers integrate the fenders with the vehicle, in many other cases, you can buy and install one from the dealer shops. The prime objective of fenders is to decrease wind resistance and increase aerodynamic control. It also helps to keep off mud, pebbles, and road debris from hitting and scratching the car body. Mud and dust can cause rust in the underline part of the fender, thus affecting the paint and other car components. Thus, the mud and accumulated waste must be cleaned regularly, with frequent examination for damages. The fenders are an important body part of their vehicle. This is because the fenders provide sufficient housing for the wheels, especially in trucks and SUVs which have bigger tires from stock. Fenders come in a variety of designs, sizes and colors. One can choose from many options available for all makes and models. It is important to have a perfect fit of the fenders. Thus, choosing the correct fenders for your vehicle is very necessary.

The front fender starts from the front door and runs forward to the front bumpers, ending at the hood. Similarly, the back fender runs from the back door to the rear bumper to the lid of the trunk. Usually, minor car accidents as referred to as the fender benders, as they can damage the fender sheet along with the bumper or hood damage during an accident.

Fenders are made of many materials, primarily sheet metal steel. Another popular material used in many new models is the fibreglass. Another material commonly used is different type of plastic, PU and carbon fibres. These materials are widely accepted nowadays, over metal material as they don’t rust and corrode and are highly durable and easy to cast. Thus, one can have a greater array of designs, colors and styles. Also, the repairs are less expensive than those of metal and the complete replacement is also less costly. Still, majority of the fenders are made of metal, for greater protection on collision.

It is advisable to rely on fenders from best brands to provide maximum support and protection to the vehicle. Fenders provide additional protection to the front and back of the car during collisions. It, thus avoids hefty repairs.

• Fenders provide support and protection to wheel well and engine bay and many other costly components.
• Fenders improve the aerodynamics of the car and can thus give more stability to the vehicle.
• Protects the car from damages through road debris on tire rotation and reduces the chances of debris fly off.

Although the fender itself doesn’t do any mechanical or electrical work but acts like a shield to many important components and protects them from dirt, mud, debris and corrosion. Thus, it is important to understand the importance of fender and its functionality.

• The upper side of the tire is covered by the fender attached to the motor vehicle wheel house. One might notice increased noise generated from the space between the tires and the road surface, or the noise of small rocks and debris hitting the inner fender. To avoid such a situation, a fibre-based fender is used and is attached to the wheel house.
• Although, fibre-based fenders reduce sound, but fall short in water and ice conditions as the anti-icing performance is very poor. This may result in ice formation on fenders and tires, causing difficulty in driving. Thus, the geographical terrain and climatic conditions need to be considered before installing any new fender.

• The primary function of the fender is to avoid dust, mud, sludge and debris to enter the wheel well and engine bay, thus protecting important components from damage.
• Another purpose is of increasing the aesthetic view of the vehicle so that it looks good.

Let’s assume a hypothetical situation where you were involved in a low impact fender bender that also dented the bumper and scraped some paint. But you didn’t get it corrected, thinking it to be a minor problem. But, this minor scratch of today can turn into a big infection tomorrow. Following are the problems that may follow this minor accident.

1. Electrical System Failure - Even a small impact can loosen the wiring connections in relation to various components in the car. Thus, may lead to malfunction of power windows, anti-theft system, battery connectors and many other delicate connections.
2. Wheel Alignment Off - If the front fenders get damage, this is likely to happen and can even lead to costly repairs. If the wheel alignment is off, it can cause serious drivability issues.
3. Car Frame Damaged - If the frame gets damaged on impact, you might not notice it immediately but can seriously compromise the integrity of the vehicle on the whole. The vehicle’s ability to handle impacts can be reduced and cause much damage in the future.
4. Transmission Problems - AWD transmission can get damaged if the drive shaft gets pushed into the transmission of collision. This can cause hefty repairs.
5. Rusting - Even slight damage can expose the metal under the paint and start corrosion process due to water and road salt while driving. Even the entire frame can get damaged.
6. Suspension & Steering Issues - Even small collision can have a big impact on suspension systems and steering systems. This can cause serious drivability issues and costly repairs.
7. Engine Component Issues - Collision can cause failure in many engine components and electrical system. This may lead to complete failure of the vehicle and can even ask for major repair work.

Are you thinking of repairing your Fender on your own? Then there is one thing which you must have, that is the right tools needed for repairing your Fender. It is essential to make sure that you are outfitted with the right tools to get the work done properly. Have a look at some tools which you might need to get started with your repair work: -

• Pliers
• Drill
• 1/4-inch drill bit
• Ratchet set
• Fender
• Dust mask
• Goggles

When it comes to vehicle owner’s choice, the brands really matter a lot. You might pay a premium for a specific car part brand, over time, as it has created a perception of quality, stability as well as trust. There are some leading car parts brands which are more than just products or services as they give rise to memories and emotions related with the quality. So have a look at some of the top brands for Fender.

It is very important to arm yourself with information before you shop any auto part. We are here to help you dive deep into the names of the Fender related parts.

• Fender Flare
• Inner Fender
• Fender Moulding
• Fender Trim

The first question which comes in the minds of most people when they see some faults in the Fender is that how much would its replacement cost? The reality is that unless and until a professional technician would look at your car, it is going to be a difficult question to answer because the overall cost would depend on a lot of factors. The first and foremost thing on which it depends is the size as well as type of the Fender. The other factors like is the replacement of the Fender going to be brand new, used, rebuilt, or remanufactured play a major role in deciding the total cost.

The average cost to replace a typical passenger car fender can range from $100 to $1,000 dollars for the fender, with an additional $200 to $600 dollars for installation and painting. The average passenger vehicle fender repair costs anywhere from $300 to $1,600 dollars in total.

For a larger vehicle, such as an SUV or truck, the cost is even higher. Luxury vehicles can have carbon fibre fenders that cost upward of $5,000 to replace. The best bet is to search salvage yards nearby for fenders that match the vehicle make and model. After finding a salvage fender, it is helpful to shop around to find a repair shop to install and paint it for the best price.

Some of the most important uses of installing car fenders are listed below:

• Car fenders protect the car body and engine bay for external elements and damages.
• Car fender flares ensure minimum foreign contact with the engine components and reduces the risk of corrosion too.
• Fenders can protect the driver during accidents as they are manufactured to bend on collision and protect the driver.
• Car fenders reduce wind resistance and helps in maintaining the vehicle aerodynamics.
• Car fenders increase the aesthetics of the vehicle and come in a variety of colors and style to suit the driver's needs.

Following are the steps to change damaged or old car fender:

1. Check the New Fender for Damages - Whenever you buy the new fender, always check for damages due to transportation carefully. Faulty fenders can be dented, curved or punctured.
2. Removing Old Car Fender - Since the fender is connected firmly to the body of the car, removing it may take some time. Also, damaged car fenders can be much more difficult to remove as the alignment may be troublesome significantly. This is because the bolts and clips may become difficult to remove after the old fender has got physically damaged. You may also need to remove the bumper cover, associated rocker moulding, and headlight assembly. Also remove any mud guards, mouldings, rear shields, rear insulators, emblems, nameplates, or reflectors that are going to be reused on the new fender.
3. Making Perfect Fit for New Fenders - Usually any new fender will not fit at the very first time and might not have the same place, where the bolts and clips stick in. Thus, it is important to make proper measurements first.
4. Append New Car Fender - Examine the new fender and see if it will sit in line with the car body. If not, you might need to do some grinding. After getting the perfect fit, check for door and hood clearance to ensure it doesn’t hit the door or hood on opening and closing.
5. Finishing Touch to Car Fender - Ensure a proper fit of the fender and make sure of the door and hood clearance. This will always make the replacement of old fender easier, every time you decide to do so. Also reinstall the front bumper cover, headlight assembly, mud guards and any other component that was removed for installing new fender.