How Are Fenders And Quarter Panels Different?

1 What Is A Fender?

Whether you are a new or an old driver, you must have heard someone refer to a car’s fender. You might know about fenders in the context of the term “fender-bender”, which is referred to as the most common type of collision that typically occurs at low speeds and results in damage to the fender of the vehicle. A fender is usually a part of an automobile, motorcycle, or any other vehicle which covers the wheels and protects from rocks and dirt that are thrown into the air by the rotating wheel. A fender on a vehicle is also known as a front wing.

Where is the Fender Located on a Car?

A car fender is a part of the vehicle’s body and is attached to the front left and right sides of the vehicle. It frames the wheel well of your vehicle and extends between the front door and the front bumper covering the wheels. It is made from a rigid and firm material to offer optimum protection from stones, mud, and debris thrown by the wheel. Fenders are usually made from metal like steel, but depending on the make of the car they can also be made from fiberglass or thermoplastics. Some newer vehicles use fewer steel body panels and are equipped with composites like fiberglass or carbon fiber. These are tough materials and weigh much less than steel.

2 What Is The Function Of A Fender?

The primary purpose of a fender is to keep dirt, mud, and rocks from being thrown around by the tires. It acts as a housing for wheels that keeps the debris contained. Therefore, vehicles that have large and oversized tires are often equipped with fender flares. In fact, in some provinces, attaching fender flares on vehicles with larger wheels is mandated by law. Furthermore, fenders also absorb impact from minor collisions and contribute to the aerodynamics and the overall look of the vehicle. As an exterior body part, the fender is painted the same color as the body. It also has a fender liner attached to it which is usually made from thermoplastic. It protects the engine bay and other components from dirt and potential damage. Fender liners are secured to fenders with pins, grommets, or bolts.

3 What Is A Quarter Panel?

A quarter panel is part of the vehicle’s exterior body and is located between the rear door and the boot or trunk of the car. Similar to fenders at the front of your vehicle, there are two-quarter panels located at the rear right and left of the vehicle and they house the rear wheels. Quarter panels are traditionally constructed from sheet metal and other materials like fiber-reinforced plastic, fiberglass, or cabin fiber. Usually, a vehicle has a metal quarter panel that is welded to the frame and if one has to replace the quarter panel, it needs to be cut out of the vehicle. Due to the sheer amount of labor required to replace one, it is preferred to repair a damaged quarter panel, rather than replace it. It is also known as the rear fender or the rear wing of the vehicle. However, in unibody vehicles today, it is more precisely called a quarter panel.

Where is the Quarter Panel on the Car?

The quarter panel is a body panel of a car that is located between the rear door and the trunk. Your car has two quarter panels, one on each side of the vehicle. The quarter panels usually extend above and around your rear wheels. Seams or bolts usually mark the panels, so identification should only take a couple of seconds.

4 What Is The Function Of A Quarter Panel?

The quarter panel is a critical part of your vehicle for a couple of reasons. First, it provides a character and a well-defined shape to the tail side of your vehicle. Second, it provides significant structural support to the chassis of the vehicle. Lastly, a quarter panel acts as a physical barrier, taking a lot of beating by protecting from slush and road debris thrown by the rotating rear wheels. Furthermore, in some vehicles, quarter panels are exposed to temperature fluctuations caused by the vehicle’s exhaust pipe. It is also the most common part to get damaged during an accident and expands from the rear door of your vehicle to the taillight and, in some vehicles, the roof.

5 What Is The Difference Between Fender And Quarter Panel?

Unlike fenders that are secured via bolts and pins, quarter panels are welded to the frame and are comparatively difficult to replace. Also, some quarter panels are one large piece that serves as a rear fender and as a roof section, on vehicles that have an integrated panel. Fortunately, quarter panels on some makes and models are built with partial sections, which allow cutting and welding easier, making it convenient to replace them. It is easy to replace your car’s fender because it is a single unit that is comparatively smaller than quarter panels. Fenders are very simple in their construction and are attached to A-pillars of the vehicle, whereas quarter panels vary depending on the design and can have integrated roof edges and C-pillars as well. Some may be designed with a simpler form with no connection to roof elements of rocker panels and are known as quarter panel skins. On trucks, quarter panels can also be referred to as truck bed panels. Some quarter panels have partial sections known as quarter panel patches, that allow easy repairing of a small section.

Often people think that fenders and quarter panels are the same part of the car. It might be due to the fact that sometimes quarter panels are referred to as rear fenders. However, studying the exterior design of the body carefully allows you to understand the differences between the two. To put it simply, car fenders are panels located at the front left and right of the vehicle, whereas quarter panels are located at the rear and contain the rear wheels. Depending on the design of the vehicle, you can choose from full OEM panels, panel skins, or quarter panel patches. Quarter panel design varies depending on your car and if it is a coupe, fastback, or convertible. We hope this guide will help you know the difference between a fender and a quarter panel and make an informed decision while choosing the correct part.