On most modern cars, plastic elements can be seen inside the wheel arches. This is nothing like wheel arches or lockers. These elements perform a rather important function. Lockers are designed to protect the bottom and the under-wheel space of a car from getting dirt, water, dust, reagents that fly out from under the wheels. And if water, dirt and dust can not cause significant damage to the body, then the reagents are quite dangerous. Locker installation is an important part of car care. Let's see what lockers exist and how to install them correctly.
Locker Types
In the modern market for car parts, various types of wheel arch liners are widely represented. They differ in materials. Especially popular are plastic, polyethylene, and fiberglass accessories. Previously, there were also metal fenders - they were mainly made of aluminum and galvanized sheet steel. But today, metal fenders are not relevant and are almost never used.
In addition to solid Lockers, liquid is also isolated. These are special formulations in aerosol cans. They are applied to the space under the wing and are designed to protect the metal from moisture, dirt, reagents. But over time, the protective coating erases and you have to apply the layer again.
Solid and split wing flaps
Products often completely or almost completely repeat the shape of the wheel arch of a particular car. For different cars, they can be solid or split. Cutting wheels are usually installed in a car, where a shock absorber strut protrudes into the wheel arch.
The advantages of plastic products
Lockers made of polyethylene are considered the most popular products. Among their advantages are resistance to work in aggressive environments. Also, the part has high impact resistance. In winter, the material does not undergo cracking and remains elastic. If the liner received any mechanical damage, then polyethylene is easily repairable. The part can be sealed or welded by analogy with the repair of a plastic bumper.
Plastic and fiberglass
For the manufacture of these parts, ABC plastic is used. It has all the advantages of polyethylene, but is more rigid. Such products are found in stores very often. These wing flaps are also easy to repair. If the plastic product is wrapped under the wheel, then it simply deforms or breaks. A metal part in this case may damage the wheel.
Fiberglass is even more rigid and therefore products from it are not too popular with car owners. But fiberglass fenders, if necessary, are also well and easily restored and will not harm the car in a critical situation.
How to choose?
Locker installation should protect the car. Therefore, you should first select and buy these parts correctly.
Typically, the product indicates the brand of car for which the part is intended. Also, the installation side is encrypted in the marking - back or front. Sometimes the manufacturer is indicated, and even less often it is possible to determine by the marking the material from which the part is made.
When choosing a kit for installing a fender liner on a Renault, you should pay attention not only to the cost, as most motorists often do. The material and shape of the part is very important. Manufacturers for one car can produce different parts. Some Lockers have mud flaps that make up the solid part with the Locker. They can significantly reduce the contamination of the wing on the side of the door. In addition, these products are more rigid.
Further important strength. To install the liner, you will need the kit where the material is not too soft, but not too hard. If the part is soft or partially deformed, then this indicates that the economical manufacturer used recycled material as the starting material. The material undergoes rapid aging; on a frosty day, such a wing liner easily breaks into pieces with your hands. On a hot summer day, the part may sag.
Polyethylene products perfectly withstand frost and high temperatures. But here, not everything is so simple - you need to protect the elements from ultraviolet radiation. It damages plastic. Therefore, you should not purchase a kit that lay in the sun.
Preparation for installation
Before you begin installing the wheel arches, you should raise the car, and it is better to dismantle the wheels. Next, thoroughly clean the space of the wheel arches with a brush and dry using a compressor.
The protective element is better to try on before. A high-quality product must be very precisely installed in the niche of the arch. If there are minor inconsistencies, then they are easily cleaned by heating with a building hairdryer. If the product is installed correctly and executed efficiently, then it will not rub on the tire anywhere and in any wheel position.
Continuous elements are usually fixed with self-tapping screws. Fasteners are carried out to the edge of the niche, and also fasten in the niche itself. If the wing liner is split, then it is also fixed in its lower part. If fasteners are used not with latches, but with self-tapping screws, then for safety and reliability when installing the wing flaps on the Lada, it’s better to screw in a few additional screws.
Mounting
Most solid products are mounted the same way as described above. About 7 screws are used. They fix the wing liner along the edges of the wing of the car. About 3 screws are needed for installation in the depths of the arch. Sometimes in the case of split fenders, the lower part is also attached.
If the wheel arches are already susceptible to rust, then it is better to pre-treat them abundantly with suitable anti-corrosion compounds. This will protect the metal from corrosion. Holes drilled for self-tapping screws are also better to process, and some experts recommend applying sealant to them. Also, when installing the front fenders, as well as the rear ones, it is worth using galvanized self-tapping screws - they are more resistant to corrosion processes.
Features
Sometimes the installation may have some features due to the material and design of the fenders. So, 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 liner can easily burst from vibration. Therefore, these details when installing the rear fenders and front fenders are fixed with brackets and latches. This installation method is significantly safe for the body - no additional holes need to be drilled. Such a solution is often used by foreign automakers when assembling cars at the factory.
A liner installed correctly should be slightly loose. The geometry of the elements themselves is also important. Many products have flush ledges that make it possible to mount accurately and without distortion. This allows us to simplify the task for those who decide to do the self-installation of wing flaps on the VAZ. If the part is not correctly fixed in the arch, then some parts of the body may not be protected.
Is there a guarantee?
It does not apply to these products. Warranty from the manufacturer is provided only for the period of storage of the wing flaps. Therefore, when buying, pay attention to the quality of the products.