Can I discard my wheel arch liners?

[hod05]

I've a 2010 E class cabrio and I've been think about removing the wheel arch liners, I'm concerned they promote rust. What purpose do they serve? Seem like dirt traps to me.

Are they easily removed? I'd like to inspect the inner arch. My car has been garaged most of its life and not frequently used in winter so Hopfully the arches won't be too bad.

What's the opinion on discarding the liners?

 

[vtaylor78]

I think the ECU is housed behind the drivers wheel arch cover, so you wouldn’t want water and crud getting to it.

 

[flowrider]

I've a 2010 E class cabrio and I've been think about removing the wheel arch liners, I'm concerned they promote rust. What purpose do they serve? Seem like dirt traps to me.

Are they easily removed? I'd like to inspect the inner arch. My car has been garaged most of its life and not frequently used in winter so Hopfully the arches won't be too bad.

What's the opinion on discarding the liners?

The liners are there for a reason so I wouldn't remove them permanently. There are all sorts of stuff behind them that you wont want to get wet or covered in road muck.

 

[EmilysDad]

I've a 2010 E class cabrio and I've been think about removing the wheel arch liners, I'm concerned they promote rust. What purpose do they serve? Seem like dirt traps to me.

Are they easily removed? I'd like to inspect the inner arch. My car has been garaged most of its life and not frequently used in winter so Hopfully the arches won't be too bad.

What's the opinion on discarding the liners?

I see what you're saying, but IMHO removing the liners will allow far more dirt/mud to those places where it can sit idly rusting away out of site. Liners are a relatively recent addition to all cars, and we know how well cars years ago used to rust.

 

[LostKiwi]

Liners are there to stop crud getting into the top reaches of the wings and to protect anything located in that area. They also protect from stones thrown off the tyre which could dent modern thin panels.

 

[ajlsl600]

I agree they can be a pain, like when they have to come out to access headlight adjusters, w168.
But I won't be dumping mine for reasons mentioned above. What I do do in summer months is remove all liners, undertrays, give a really good p, wash. Leave a day or 2 to dry, Then I wax oil everywhere esp where liners meet arches. And put it all back.

 

[00slk]

They are like undergarments, keep everything neat and tidy

 

[JBell]

I think the ECU is housed behind the drivers wheel arch cover, so you wouldn’t want water and crud getting to it.

Yes it is in the Passenger side wheel arch

 

[ernieh]

Best advice is to keep them clean by regularly hosing and washing....remember the Vauxhall Victors and Austin Cambridges / Westminsters of the late 50s which had no liners? Their wings, front and rear rotted out before they were 3 years old!

Ernie

 

[Ricardo_e220]

Yep agree leave them fitted but regularly clean out and remove if you can... the other issue is that the liners help retain crud which will still build and create great places for the tin worm!

 

[Kev555]

I take mine off at every MOT, clean behind them and waxoyl