Trouble with wheel-well lining.

[lmhansen]

The wheel well lining appears to be just a big piece of plastic that goes from the wheel-well, under the car, up front, and then back to the other front wheel-well. I think I must have lost a screw/bolt somewhere, because the whole piece looks way too loose. During some high-speed cruising today, I noticed a weird flapping sound coming from the left front, as if there was a plastic bag stuck in the door or to the front of the car. I didn't really think much of it, but on the return trip, the same noise came back again, esp. while cruising at a high speed.So, I pulled over at a truck stop (choke and puke), and inspected the front of the car. There's a hole in plastic at the front of the wheel-well. It appears that it may have been pushed into the tire, and the ensuing friction have "burned" the hole in the lining.So, my question is; there's a couple of holes all the way up front (near where there's a metal "loops" coming down), and I have no bolts in either of those holes (either side). Are there supposed to be bolts right there?The entire piece appears way to "flimsy" without anything holding it there, so I suspect the dealership have misplaced the bolts during the last service (2 days ago, I asked them to inspect the brakes and maybe they removed this piece for a better look?).

[Raven]

There are actually 3 pieces. The center and left and right wheel wells. The left and right wheel well is about as thick as 3 plastic bags put together. There are many pop fasteners and a few bolts to hold it. I think there are 8 pop fasteners per side. I know because I just ordered a right wheel well liner today ($124.00 Can.) As a precauction the parts guy ordered an extra 8 pop pins, $5.00 each for a $.25 piece of plastic. I also ordered a windshield washer reservoir $58.29. This was damage from hitting a raccoon. I checked the price at Toyota and the washer tank was $146.00, that's a change.

[DavidPIL]

Hi lmhansen,Same thing happened to me finally 2 weekends ago on my trip to Kansas. It was somewhat windy. Heard this weird noise, I thought it was wind noise from my ventshades. But no. Stopped at a rest area and observed a nice "V" section rubbed away from the wheel. I had only lost 1 push rivet, the one at about 10 o'clock to the wheel. I moved one from around 2 o'clock to that position and it was ok. I did buy a pair from an auto place but I got the wrong size. 2 were about $2.89 from O'Reilly's. Even though it was the wrong size, the right size was the same price. (don't get the small ones, get the larger).They do sometimes just fall out as I've read in threads over the years. I doubt the shop would have had to remove the lining for the brakes. Yeah, they're very flimsy. I have been half tempted to remove mine and then coat the backsides with truck-bed lining or some rubberized spray. This should cut down on some road noise to, I would imagine.DaveDave

[Raven]

That's a great idea to spray them with bedliner.

[lmhansen]

So, I'm looking for something like this:http://www.thefastenerwarehous...1.htm?

[kevera]

Yes,They sell them at most auto parts stores.I lost 2 of those a few weeks ago.

[m4VibeGT]

I also has the same problem with my left wheel well. I started hearing this sound when I'm turning left or right at slow speed. Went to find out that the fasteners at the bottom of the wheel liner has come off and it was pushing back to the left wheel and created a hole that is 4 x 8 inches.

[lmhansen]

I got some retainers from Advance Auto Parts (box of 15 for $5), and popped in 3 in the front and 1 in the left wheel-well.The damage to the lining is fairly extensive. I didn't measure it, but it's easily 5x2 or 5x3 inches. There's also excessive wear on the outside edge of the tire. It's just the outermost 1/2 inch or so, but it still means I need to plan on getting new tires sooner than I hoped.I got these guys:http://www.thefastenerwarehous...0.htmBut it looks like these would have been a closer match to what's already in there:http://www.thefastenerwarehous...4.htm

[Fingers]

A company called ATPAC in quebec carries a replacement wheel liner for $45 CAN. I highly recommend you give them a call.Also, I just bought a windshield washer bottle with pump and level from Sonshine Auto Parts for $75. Again, I recommend you give your local auto recyclers a call, they probably have a few Vibes on the lot.