Learn All About Car Fender
What Is 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 colours. 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.
Where Is Car Fender Located?
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.
Material Used to Make Car Fender
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.
How to Spot a Good Car Fender?
It is always advisable to search for a recognised brand that
specializes in making quality fenders. This is because, a known brand will
provide for fenders that will be an exact fit to the particular make and model
and will be worth the quality for the price you will pay. Thus, in case of fenders,
go for the brands.
Always choose a fender that is custom-built for a particular
make/model. This will save installation time and the installation will become
much easier and convenient to the extent that you can install it yourself.
Look for a fender that has a good finish. Fenders not only protect
the vehicle, but also improve the vehicle aesthetically. Choose a fender that
looks good with your car and enhances the overall appearance of the vehicle.
The most important factor while purchasing a fender is,
brand and warranty. Warranty protects you, if the new product is at fault and
malfunctions in days after installation. Thus, read the warranty terms and
conditions properly before purchasing.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Car Fender
Following are the advantages and disadvantages of having car fenders:
Advantages:
- Fender protect the wheel well and the engine bay from damages by dust, mud, pebbles and other road debris
- Fender protects the car body from damages, rust and corrosion through moisture.
- Fenders improve the vehicle aesthetically. There are a wide variety of fenders to choose from, from many dealers in the market.
Disadvantage:
- If the fender is not matching the car or is not a perfect fit, the vehicle will lose its beauty.
- Fenders reduce the height of sight as the chassis is itself very low, affecting the overall performance of the car, increasing security risks.
- The mud and stone debris smashing against the fenders can increase the cabin noise on difficult terrains. Thus, one may need to install a noise board.
- The fender can become a scraper over difficult terrains like hill tops and off-road. Fenders can affect the aerodynamics of the car and affect the wind resistance over increased speeds.
Important Features of Car Fender
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.
How Do Car Fender Work?
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.
Purpose of 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.
Tools Needed in Car Fender
There are a number of skilled auto mechanics who have a goal of
opening their own car repair shop at some point in their career. But let’s face
it; if you want to put up an efficient as well as profit making shop, then you
might need much more than mechanical skills. There are a number of tools which
you might need to perform the car repairs quickly as well as reliably. Auto repair
equipment that you will need to repair your Car Fender may include:
- Pliers
- Drill
- 1/4-inch drill bit
- Ratchet set
- Fender
- Dust mask
- Goggles
Top Brands in Car Fender
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 top brands for Fender.
Related Parts of Car Fender
There might be a big-picture overview of Car Fender in your mind,
and now it’s time to look at its related components.
Other parts include car fender flare, car fender liner, car fender
covers and car fender benders.
Total Costs & Repair Times, Effort of Car Fender
There are a lot of factors which should be considered when
you are thinking of replacing Car Fender. First you have to decide that if you
require some related parts of Car Fender or a whole Car Fender. Then after that
the next step is to decide what type of make as well as type of Car Fender you
are actually dealing with and then from where will you get a brand new one.
Just keep in mind that a brand-new Car Fender which would come from a warehouse
would cost much more than the one you will get in a junkyard. After that the
next point which should be considered is that from where you are going to get
it replaced and how quickly it needs to be done. 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.
How to Change Car Fender?
Following are the steps to change the old car fender with a new one.
- 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.
- 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 mush 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.