Wheel arch liner hole in UK conditions

[Gregs24]

I thought I would have a look at the hole in my front wheel arch liners - a well documented issue - after 5 months of UK winter driving and 4k miles. There was very little debris in there but there was some stone chip damage. The main body cleat is visible (body coloured) and although chipped there was no rust. The black strengthening member was also chipped with some very mild surface rust stains.

You could try to get the kit from the US but I suspect you are looking at £200 now the Oompa Loompa has been busy, so I just treated the rust stains with Kurust and then when gone off used some spray on underseal / stone chip over the affected area. I will monitor from time to time to see how it is lasting.

I think unless you daily drive in the winter it is unlikely to be a big problem but if you do then I would have a look and apply some protection.

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[MAT1955]

@Gregs24 ..... respectfully disagree. That leading edge is the start of your main frame pinch weld. Too many reasons to list - all of which have been recorded at length elsewhere. A second major concern is debris (dirt etc.) gets trapped by the new under carriage body skirts and creates a rust poultice against the pinch weld line and frame members. Not only can it damage your major under frame and pinch weld components but you face resale penalties from anyone who has done a modicum of research and has an IQ higher than 10. No offense intended but for a couple of hundred pounds you'd take that chance? Compromise and devalue your 'stang for the price of a dinner out or..........

 

[Gregs24]

@Gregs24 ..... respectfully disagree. That leading edge is the start of your main frame pinch weld. Too many reasons to list - all of which have been recorded at length elsewhere. A second major concern is debris (dirt etc.) gets trapped by the new under carriage body skirts and creates a rust poultice against the pinch weld line and frame members. Not only can it damage your major under frame and pinch weld components but you face resale penalties from anyone who has done a modicum of research and has an IQ higher than 10. No offense intended but for a couple of hundred pounds you'd take that chance? Compromise and devalue your 'stang for the price of a dinner out or..........

You obviously didn't read my post! I know exactly what the pinch weld is and as I said there was NO rust on it at all. There was very little debris either, certainly no more than trapped under the plastic panels of my S550 sills.

So I disagree I'm afraid. Yes it would be better if there was no hole but on the evidence of my car it is not a huge issue if monitored and treated appropriately.

UK buyers generally have an IQ exceeding 10 and I would be very happy to explain what I have done when I sell it and demonstrate the condition it is in.

It is also worth noting there were a couple of stone chips on my wheel arch just behind the wheel, again with no rust suggesting the metal protection of the body is pretty good.

 

[MAT1955]

@Gregs24 ...... actually I read your post carefully. Several thoughts, you have already had some stone chips and the attendant rust. Is your intent to continually monitor and touch-up the future chips? If so, what is your time worth. My time is worth more than a piddly 200 pounds on a very expensive car. Have you removed the belly pans that extend the length of your under carriage? Stones and dirt will likely be there too. Do you intend to check these regularly? I agree that UK drivers do have an IQ higher than 10 and whether you draw attention, at future point-of-sale, to the fact that you have continually touched-up damage, (instead of correcting it for a piddly 200 pounds) I would think that would not be a good sales pitch or whether the buyer is aware of the issue - likely true as - again as most UKers have an IQ higher than 10. Is the time and product you have and will have to spend on the issue not worth 200 pounds?

 

[Gregs24]

@Gregs24 ...... actually I read your post carefully. Several thoughts, you have already had some stone chips and the attendant rust. Is your intent to continually monitor and touch-up the future chips? If so, what is your time worth. My time is worth more than a piddly 200 pounds on a very expensive car. Have you removed the belly pans that extend the length of your under carriage? Stones and dirt will likely be there too. Do you intend to check these regularly? I agree that UK drivers do have an IQ higher than 10 and whether you draw attention, at future point-of-sale, to the fact that you have continually touched-up damage, (instead of correcting it for a piddly 200 pounds) I would think that would not be a good sales pitch or whether the buyer is aware of the issue - likely true as - again as most UKers have an IQ higher than 10. Is the time and product you have and will have to spend on the issue not worth 200 pounds?

There will be no need to touch up the chips as with the protective stone chip / underseal sprayed on it will provide protection. I will top up if required. You do know there is exposed metal under all cars?

There is more than one way to resolve this problem and my post to UK users was about my UK experience and my current approach. If you don't like it then do what you want, but this is what I have done and will be monitoring the situation. I check the underside of my car about once every 3 months for any damage - takes very little time and I would do it with or without the holes in the wheel arch liners.

 

[SweptVolume]

I fitted the hole covers to mine a couple of weeks ago after driving past a freshly ploughed field and ending up with muddy straw clogged in my holes (ooh err!).

I agree, there didn't seem to be much sign of pebbles in there but the crud was apparent, and is difficult to avoid in the countryside.

DIYVan were a lovely company to deal with and I got mine delivered for just under £90 (excluding the adhesive), albeit before the tariff nonsense started. I was tempted to buy up a batch and sell on, but wasn't sure if the market would be here.

Having owned more than one car that's been known to 'go at the sill' and wanting to keep the Mustang indefinitely, I didn't want to take the chance.

 

[MAT1955]

@SweptVolume ..... "brilliant" as my UK family members "across the pond" from me' would say and a salute to your common sense - which apparently isn't shared by some. Here in NA posts from the USA to Canada have shown a failure to cover these holes usually results in damage. Service techs now compliment members of Mustang Clubs I drop in to see at "coffee and cars" when they see the owners have covered these holes. Purchasers and salesman at dealerships ask if sellers have conducted this "repair". Just for fun I was looking at a 2025 GT it had a few more options that my 2024 GT (magneride and active valve exhaust for example) the salesman asked me if I had covered the holes in my 2024 GT as it has about 7400 KM on it. In all but the rarest cases - living in Arizona and only driving it on non dusty, sunny days - damage of varying degrees WILL happen - if you don't cover the holes. For most rational people spending $100, in the USA, to fix this defect, is a no brainer. Good for you@SweptVolume "brilliant" idea and your Mustang will love you for it. Tony Unica, who was one of the first to alert to the problem via a massively watched video - builds Mustangs from scratch - you can see a 70's official Ford stamped body in another part of his garage, in the video and official Ford stamped front fenders being prepped for spraying in the video too. I'll certainly take his opinion, my experience and what I have personally seen over some, what my UK family members would call some "wankers" opinion.

 

[Gregs24]

@SweptVolume ..... "brilliant" as my UK family members "across the pond" from me' would say and a salute to your common sense - which apparently isn't shared by some. Here in NA posts from the USA to Canada have shown a failure to cover these holes usually results in damage. Service techs now compliment members of Mustang Clubs I drop in to see at "coffee and cars" when they see the owners have covered these holes. Purchasers and salesman at dealerships ask if sellers have conducted this "repair". Just for fun I was looking at a 2025 GT it had a few more options that my 2024 GT (magneride and active valve exhaust for example) the salesman asked me if I had covered the holes in my 2024 GT as it has about 7400 KM on it. In all but the rarest cases - living in Arizona and only driving it on non dusty, sunny days - damage of varying degrees WILL happen - if you don't cover the holes. For most rational people spending $100, in the USA, to fix this defect, is a no brainer. Good for you@SweptVolume "brilliant" idea and your Mustang will love you for it. Tony Unica, who was one of the first to alert to the problem via a massively watched video - builds Mustangs from scratch - you can see a 70's official Ford stamped body in another part of his garage, in the video and official Ford stamped front fenders being prepped for spraying in the video too. I'll certainly take his opinion, my experience and what I have personally seen over some, what my UK family members would call some "wankers" opinion.

A person who doesn't share your opinion is not automatically a wanker!

My 'common sense' is that I have looked at the situation, then applied a protective layer and will monitor it going forward. I'm sorry if you don't understand what I have done but after 4k miles my car is largely undamaged despite being completely unprotected up to this point and certainly doesn't warrant your derogatory comments. If I was ignoring the situation and not even looking then fair enough but I'm not as I explained in post #1.

If that makes me a wanker then your arrogance is extraordinary.

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