Fender flares for all vehicle types

Wheel arch flares for cars: find out more! How to choose, when to change , and how much they cost

Abrasive wear is one of the most frequent defects of wheel arch flares. It is the rupture of the component material that prevents them from functioning as efficient protection for the car wheel arches.

Inspection of the part will help detect the wheel arch flare defects. To gain access to the inner surface of the part you need to set the vehicle on a lift or raise it with a jack, and then remove the wheel. The following signs are indicative of the part abrasive wear:

• surface roughness, specifically due to the presence of small scratches and cracks;
• thinning;
• deformation.

Besides, considerable wear of the flares can be detected by:

• abnormal noise during driving;
• considerable contamination and corrosion of the body components located under the car bottom.

Service life of car wheel arch flares has no strict limits and is determined by operation conditions and quality of components. Possibility of the flare repair depends on the material of which it is manufactured, and the wear degree. Damage to polyethylene or ABS plastic components can be removed by welding. Parts made of fiberglass are less subject to repair. In case of substantial wear the flare requires replacement, regardless of the material. For this purpose do the following:

1. Provide access to the worn out part and carry out its demounting.
2. Clean the wheel arch, in case it is corroded, treat it with anti-corrosion fluid.
3. Attach a new part to the mounting seat. Fitting is recommended to perform with the wheel installed. It will make sure that the flare will not obstruct the vehicle at cornering.
4. Install a new part. Double sided adhesive tape, self-tapping screws, clips, screws, staples can be used as fasteners according to the flare type.

The major cause for the wheel arch flare wear is the impact of abrasive particles, including sand and small stones during the vehicle operation. Load on the parts increases when you  travel in cross-country conditions.

Wear of wheel arch flares can also be caused by:

• low clearance;
• incorrect installation of flares.

It is important to give preference to high-quality parts to prevent premature wear of the components. Flares made of modified polyethylene are in the highest demand. They stand out by impact strength and resistance to hazardous environments. In case of low temperatures such car parts preserve elasticity and do not crack.

When selecting wheel arches flares it is important to follow instructions of the vehicle manufacturer, as well as make purchases in reputable shops such as AutoDoc. We offer auto parts of superior quality. Our support service specialists will help to figure out auto parts specifications and select parts from a large range which are suitable for your car repair!