How to install fender liners without screws

The wheel arches of automobiles are equipped with fender liners, which serve to protect against stones and sand flying out from under the tires. Factory fender flares turn out to be ineffective due to their small size. In addition, the situation on the roads becomes significantly more complicated in winter, because the roads are sprinkled with salt and reagents. Drivers change these elements. Screws and clips are used to secure the fender liners.

Methods

For most drivers, mud flaps are rubber flaps that are installed behind the wheels near the bottom of the front fender and rear bumper. If we are talking about a car body, then a mudguard is usually called a metal casing that connects the spar, the engine shield and the wings in the nose (the shock-absorbing strut cup is part of the mudguard). In the rear part there is a mudguard - the wheel well of the body. The protection of these body elements will be discussed.

The car owner has only 2 ways to protect wheel arches:

installation of fender liners. The plastic casing is attached to the wings and the internal cavity of the mudguards;
liquid protection. The arch is treated with a special anti-gravel material based on bitumen and anti-corrosion components. For application, use a special gun that sprays a liquid mass, or a brush. After drying, a dense, damping surface is formed on the body, which has noise and vibration insulation properties.

Sound insulation deserves special attention. Due to vibrations from driving over uneven surfaces and the rolling noise of tires, the cavities of the mudguards are quite vibration- and noise-laden areas. Water, dirt and large stones flying from under the wheels, hitting the metal part of the body, resonate, which leads to the transfer of noise into the car interior. Good noise insulation protection of the wheel arches significantly increases the level of comfort.

Which is better

If we consider plastic fender liners and liquid protection separately, it is difficult to choose the best method. If there are factory places for attaching protection, as well as corresponding plastic products, it is better to give preference to fender liners. They are more durable in use. To install rubber mud flaps, you will not need to drill into the body, which is a huge advantage.

If there are no standard places for fastening in the wings, and the owner does not want to bother installing lockers without screws, then it is better to choose liquid sound insulation. In terms of the level of transmitted noise, these methods of protection are approximately the same, but the disadvantage of liquid fender liners is their fragility. Constant impacts of stones, dirt, moisture, temperature changes and vibrations of the body lead to delamination of the material. As practice shows, even high-quality processing must be repeated every 2-3 years.

The best way is combined protection with preliminary sound insulation. After applying noise and vibration insulation, the cavity is treated with liquid mastic. And only then the fender liner is installed.

Selection of lockers, mastic, sound insulation

Guidelines when choosing fender liners:

thickness. Products that are too thin are damaged faster and are more susceptible to deformation in the hot season;
elasticity. Lockers are made of ABS or PP plastic. The latter option is more elastic and therefore often more durable. But even with the same labeling, you can feel the difference between manufacturers. You should not buy products that are too hard, as the material will become completely hard in the cold, which can cause cracking;
presence of stiffeners;
holes for standard fasteners, if provided.

The choice of manufacturers is huge (API, ASAM, SA, FLORIMEX, GORDON, KLOKKERHOLM, POLCAR, SAT and many others). You need to identify manufacturers offering fender liners for your car model, and then ask about the operating experience of other car owners. One of the main factors, which, unfortunately, can only be checked during installation, is the coincidence of the body moldings with the shape of the fender liner. This will allow protection without distortion and tightly close all cavities.

Mastic, soundproofing materials

Previously, we have already considered the application of liquid sound insulation, on top of which lockers can be installed. To form liquid fender liners, you can use Dinitrol 479. As a pre-treatment before installing the lockers, you can use anti-corrosion mastic with a noise-absorbing effect from APP, Terotex, Schwarz or other manufacturers.

The following are used as sheet insulation:

base layer of vibration-absorbing composition with a thickness of 2 mm;
soundproofing material.

There are now a huge variety of material models, as well as manufacturers (Shumoff, STP, Vikar, etc.). Therefore, when choosing, you should focus on the price, as well as the thickness of the final coating. The noise-insulating “sandwich” should not interfere with the installation of lockers. It is advisable to buy material with an adhesive layer based on mastic rather than water-soluble adhesives.

Price and part numbers

The most important condition when choosing lockers for Renault Duster is that they match the car model. Sometimes fender liners are sold as a set with tools for work already included in the price, and detailed instructions for installing a specific type of overlay are also included. The average price is 3,500 rubles, with a bias up or down, depending on the material. For example, the simplest plastic linings can be found for 2,800 rubles, and if you want to purchase front and rear lockers to match the color of the car, then in some cases this can cost 10,000 rubles. Depends on the color of the material. It should be mentioned that this price includes two pairs: front fender liner - 2 pieces, right and left, and also 2 rear ones, respectively. There are many duplicates of the original lockers offered, which do not exactly match the Renault Duster body and, as a result, do not fit tightly to it. This leads to corrosion and dust and moisture getting into the gaps, which significantly reduces the service life of not only the part, but often the car as a whole.

To make sure you don’t make a mistake when choosing a locker model, below are several part numbers that are exactly compatible with the Reno Duster car:

Locker for rear left wheel 767491787R.
Locker for rear right wheel 767488862r.
Locker for front left wheel 7711547117.
Locker for front right wheel 638408322r.

Preparation, sound insulation

Protecting the arches begins with washing the inside of the mudguard and thoroughly drying it. Then the entire surface is degreased. Option for good sound insulation of wheel arches:

A vibration-absorbing layer is glued onto the entire surface of the mudguard, covered by the locker you purchased (for example, Shumoff L3 or M3. It needs to be heated before pasting). The sheets are rolled tightly with a metal roller. In this case, the standard anti-gravel coating does not need to be removed;
Mastic is applied on top with a brush or spray. If desired, you can put it in 2-3 layers, but at the same time, allow 10-15 minutes of drying between layers. at a temperature of +20ºС;
plastic lockers are covered with noise-absorbing material (for example, Shumoff Germeton A15). Also at this stage, soundproofing sheets based on foam rubber can be used (as an option - Shumoff Comfort 6).

Correct installation of lockers

Many cars have factory mounting locations for fender liners. Special plastic “bugs” are used as fastening elements. The use of self-tapping screws is permissible when attaching lockers to plastic elements (decorative threshold trim, bumpers). If processed correctly, self-tapping screws can be used as fasteners at the bottom of the internal cavity of the mudguard.

Never use self-tapping screws to attach the fender liner to the edge of the wing. Moisture is trapped between the plastic casing and the wing. In the place where the metal is exposed, rusting will inevitably begin, which, moving upward, will destroy the paintwork.

When you can't do without self-tapping screws

If another installation method is not possible or if holes have already been drilled in the wing before you, the metal must be protected. If there are no traces of rye in the area where the paintwork is damaged, prime the area with epoxy primer and paint it with acrylic paint from a spray can. Rusted areas must first be cleaned and treated with a rust converter. After drying, treat the inner cavity of the wing and the edge adjacent to the fender liner with anti-corrosion mastic (for example, Movilya). Also soak the self-tapping screw in mastic before screwing it in.

Useful solutions

Often, protecting wheel arches with fender liners can only do harm. Vibrations from a poorly secured product damage the paintwork in the plane of contact with the wing. There are two ways to deal with this:

The edge of the locker is trimmed, and a special seal is put on it. The soft rubber coating fits tightly to the wing and does not scratch the paint;
use of body sealant. It is applied where the plastic adheres to the body. Promotes waterproofing, which is important for both paintwork and laminated sound insulation. The sealant not only performs a waterproofing function, but also acts as an additional fastener. After drying, it remains elastic and therefore does not crack.

At any time of the year, the wheel arches of a car are exposed to aggressive external factors that gradually destroy the metal.
In winter they are affected by moisture, dirt and salt, which is sprinkled on the road surface; in summer - sand and small stones. Many car manufacturers coat wheel arches with special compounds or install various protective elements, but, as experience shows, they cannot completely protect the metal. The only effective way to protect this part of the car body is plastic fender liners, which car owners install themselves or at car repair shops. Is it worth paying money to a technician to install fender liners?
In fact, such work does not require special skills and knowledge and can be done by any motorist with minimal experience working with simple tools.

Peculiarities

Sometimes the installation may have some peculiarities due to the material and design of the fender liners. Thus, plastic and fiberglass products have high rigidity. Because of this, they cannot be screwed tightly over the entire area of the part. This can lead to destruction - the fender liner can easily burst from vibrations. Therefore, when installing the rear and front wheel arch liners, these parts are secured using brackets and latches. This installation method is significantly safer for the body - no additional holes need to be drilled. This solution is very often used by foreign automakers when assembling cars at the factory.

The fender liner, installed correctly, should be slightly free. The geometry of the elements themselves is also important. Many products have bosses, which make it possible to perform installation accurately and without distortions. This allows you to simplify the task for those who decide to independently install fender liners on a VAZ. If the part is not properly secured in the arch, some parts of the body may not be protected.

What you need for work

To perform this work, first of all you will need the fender liners themselves. These parts are made for a specific car model and are not difficult to find on the auto parts market. Today, the most common fender liners are made from the following materials:

Fiberglass;
ABC plastic;
Polyethylene.

A few years ago it was possible to purchase shaped products made of aluminum and zinc-coated steel, but today they are practically not found. These days, the most favorable price-quality ratio is considered to be polyethylene fender liners - they are durable, elastic and easy to repair in the same way as plastic bumpers. In addition to the fender liners themselves, we will need metal screws with a press washer and any anti-corrosion compound, for example the popular and inexpensive Movil. It is best to use galvanized self-tapping screws, which will last an order of magnitude longer than regular ones. Also, for installation, it is optional to stock up on regular silicone sealant.

We make preparations

It is most convenient to install the fender liners when the car is on a lift and there is full access to the wheel arches. But it is not always possible to use such equipment, so a regular jack will do just fine. The sequence of preparatory work is as follows:

The wheels are removed;
Wheel arches are cleaned of dust using brushes. If possible, it is worth treating the surface with compressed air to remove even the smallest contaminants;
If pockets of corrosion are found on the metal, they must be thoroughly cleaned and coated with Movil;
The fender liners are being tried on - the plastic elements must fit perfectly into the wheel arches;
If the “trying on” showed some discrepancies in shape, then they can be corrected by heating the polyethylene with a hair dryer;

If all of the above points are met, then the plastic fender liners will take their place perfectly and the wheels will not touch them even in the sharpest turns.

Instructions for replacing and repairing fender liners

It is recommended to carry out work when the car is jacked up or placed on a lift. The wheels are removed and dirt deposits are removed from the arches. Each spare part is tried on at the installation site. The fender liner must fit exactly in the arch. The fastening method will depend on the shape and design of the products.

On passenger cars

To install the fender liner, you will need a Phillips screwdriver and a utility knife.

Work progress:

Before starting work, it is advisable to take the car to a car wash. The main task is to thoroughly wash the areas under the wings.
Dismantling wheels and old products - all screws and clips are removed.
The attachment points and the space under the wing are cleaned. All moisture and dirt are removed from the entire surface. The wheel arch can also be wiped with a degreaser.
The new locker needs to be prepared for installation. Pre-fitting is done. If excess protruding parts are found, they should be removed with a utility knife.
The fender liner is fixed, the fasteners from the kit are distributed, inserted into the appropriate holes and tightened.

There shouldn't be any difficulties during the installation process. You should slowly understand all parts of the structure and carry out installation. If the installation is done incorrectly, you will have to do everything again.

On trucks

Lockers are installed on trucks and trailers according to the same principle as on passenger cars. For installation you will need an electric drill and galvanized screws with wide heads. The installation method will depend on the type of fender liner, they come standard with a sleeping bag and without a sleeping bag. You should pay attention to whether there are specially designated places on the car for installing lockers.

We insulate the wheel arches to reduce noise in the cabin

There are literally dozens of options for soundproofing wheel arches. Many use traditional methods with the installation of insulation of various shapes and options, others prefer more modern solutions. In any case, you should remember about the effectiveness and durability of the chosen sound insulation method. You can choose to spray special chemical compounds on the fender liner, which will be done for you in a specialized center. You can also use the ideas of liquid sound insulation in the form of various resinous compounds applied to the metal in a thick layer. However, the most popular solution is this method of soundproofing car arches:

in a car store or on the market, a search is made for the optimal materials for sound insulation specifically for your car or universal ones;
the material in this case is a foil and fairly thin seal that should cover all metal surfaces above the wheel;
the material is mounted on mastic, as well as on special glue or other fasteners, which also reduces the possibility of corrosion;
sound insulation can be single-layer or multi-layer; often the effectiveness of all work performed depends on the number of layers of material;
the sound insulator is mounted with the foil side to the wheel, this helps to reflect sound and reduces unpleasant noise effects in the car interior;
A plastic fender is mounted on top of the insulation layer - this is a prerequisite for maintaining the durability of the insulation layer and the efficiency of its operation.

The process of installing sound insulation on fender liners is quite simple, so you can complete all the tasks yourself. Many sellers offer ready-made plastic fender liners with a layer of sound insulation and insulation applied. This is a completely adequate solution, but its effectiveness is somewhat lower than when carrying out high-quality insulation using special materials. You can use a variety of solutions to get the desired result. The main task is to ensure reliable protection of the body from the spread of corrosion. This is one of the first tasks when performing any work related to the installation of additional materials or devices. Therefore, it is recommended that work be carried out by specialists.

Installation of new fender liners in Toyota Dubrovka

We have our own warehouse of spare parts, components and consumables, which offers a wide range of fender liners for Toyota cars. Since the manufacturer produces them for each specific model, you can be sure of their compliance and effectiveness. Our specialists carry out their individual selection and professional installation, having previously applied an anti-corrosion coating to the wheel arches.

The cost of the service is calculated individually, taking into account the volume and complexity of the work. You can find out the basic prices by reading the price list presented in this section of the site, or by contacting our operators.

Order replacement wheel arch liners from the certified technicians of our car service center!

Selection and installation of fender liners on the front and rear wheel arches

The front wheel arches are somewhat easier to install plastic wheel arches. The fact is that there are many possibilities for conveniently securing the protection without screws. Firstly, the fender liner is inserted into the grooves and, provided the quality of protection is normal, may not be fixed at all by additional fasteners. Secondly, there is often a fairly large plane of the front bumper, which allows you to tighten the screws without the risk of corrosion. You can also mount the fender liner to the mudguard and tighten two self-tapping screws in the area of the pillar inside the wheel arch - the metal is well protected there and is rarely attacked by corrosion. Rear fender liners are much more difficult to install:

first you need to try on the fender liners themselves in order to cut out unnecessary parts, if any, in the plastic protection;
then you should prepare the surface, thoroughly clean the metal under the arch and examine it for the presence of corrosion;
all problems should be eliminated immediately and preserved in mastic and other anti-corrosion materials;
Next comes the direct installation of the fender liner, which is an important part of the process for preserving the metal parts of the arch;
you should screw the screw into the plastic bumper, but refrain from screwing into the metal parts of the body;
if there are special clips for mounting fender liners, you can use them, otherwise, installation should be carried out using a minimum number of fasteners;
a good and correctly installed fender liner will not fall off during operation, even when installed with a small number of screws.

What are the benefits of fender liners?

During the use of a car, its body is exposed to the harmful effects of dirt and water, to which in winter are also added chemicals generously scattered by road workers along the highways. All this is in constant contact not only with the paintwork, but also directly with the metal. A small amount of salt from a winter road is enough for corrosion to begin to progress. Thanks to the presence of fender liners (you can also find another name for them - lockers), the rate of corrosion formation can be noticeably reduced. Moreover, the installation of such elements improves sound insulation properties, protects arches from snow deposits, and increases comfort while traveling.

What happens if you don't put fender liners on your car?

There are a number of negative factors that can arise if there are no fender liners on a car. We've already talked about some of the disadvantages, but now it's worth collecting them all into one list of specific disadvantages. There are many opinions about plastic fender liners, including among experts. Many will say that this part is not needed at all and is a big drawback of a modern car. Others will say that without the use of high-quality fender liners, your car will not be able to drive on our roads for even a year, remembering the salts on winter asphalt and various bitumen mixtures. The main reasons why many motorists install fender liners on their vehicles are the following:

a significant reduction in the risk of corrosion on the wheel arches, which significantly increases the reliability of the vehicle and its durability;
reducing noise in the car interior from the arches, which is especially important at high speeds when traveling on the highway or when operating the car on difficult roads;
there is significantly less risk of chipping the paint or protective layer of the body when driving on gravel and sand, certain protection of metal parts from destruction;
addition to the appearance of the car - without fender liners the car looks unfinished, some details and voids are visible that spoil the appearance;
When washing a car, it will be much more difficult to pour water into places where it is not needed, this will significantly increase the operating comfort of the car.

Less important advantages of using modern versions of fender liners are also mentioned. You can recall the special anti-noise compounds that are applied to the wheel arches only when installing fender liners. The use of modern fender liners with various installation options and convenient operation will improve the quality of use of your car and extend the potential life of the vehicle in order to save money on repair and restoration work. There are dozens of ways to install fender liners; their choice and purchase also turn out to be different for each buyer. Therefore, choose the options that are convenient for you, but do not leave your car without this protection option. We offer a short video on how to install fender liners on one of the popular cars:

Why install fender liners (lockers)

Each body has several areas that are more susceptible to corrosion than others. Wheel arches suffer serious damage because they come into close contact with raindrops and snow throughout the year. Therefore, they need to be protected - corrosion without arch protection will develop at a rapid speed.

Lockers on Priora are considered the most common and effective solution. They are made of plastic. It tolerates snow and water more easily than metal, so the parts become the optimal solution. Trying to protect the body from the early appearance of rust, you should use a simple and at the same time effective method.

Even at the factory, the VAZ-2170 body is intensively treated with an anti-corrosion layer, along with other areas susceptible to rust formation. In combination with protective covers for wheel arches, it is necessary to constantly provide protection against rapid “aging” of the metal, but modern realities do not allow even the most robust cars to work without rust.

Not only snow and raindrops will clog inside, but also reagents. All this causes a serious blow to the primer, and therefore corrosion often occurs even under plastic casings. The anti-corrosion layer should be renewed so that under the new locker the metal will last for a long time without rust.

Let's sum it up

Today, motorists are bombarded with constant advertising related to various methods of car protection, which are not always quite effective. It should be remembered that there is a basic set of protection against the spread of corrosion, and this is what you should use in your car. Anything that turns out to be excessive will ultimately just cost you money and significantly increase the overall cost of running the car. Fender liners are necessary and have not become the subject of popular advertising because they are quite cheap.

Otherwise, various methods of reducing sound effects when driving, the mythical insulation of wheel arches and other important manifestations of various methods of equipping a car with additional advantages end without results. You should not waste a lot of money on methods of improving a car that do not work and do not provide any results or practical benefits. Choose high-quality fender liners, install them using good fasteners and enjoy a pleasant ride. Have you installed wheel arch liners on your car?

Manufacturers and prices

Here is an approximate list of manufacturers who have lockers for Duster:

Russian Artel (full set for 4 wheels - 4,700 rubles);
Novline (4 wheel covers with sound insulation for RUB 4,100);
PT Group (full set for a car - 4,270 rubles);
TOTEM (sold separately, the set costs 4,800 rubles);
AutoFamily (the most budget-friendly of those presented here, for a complete set 2,900 rubles).

From these manufacturers you can purchase components for Renault Duster, including wheel arch liners, at reasonable prices. However, this list is far from complete; when purchasing, you need to check the exact configuration and model of lockers, so as not to be mistaken in compatibility with the car.