which german engineer decided on carpet fender liners?

[iamshayan]

has anyone else noticed that our rear fender liners are made of carpet and pretty much never dry..... absorb sand like a wet vagina on the beach, and inhibit snow like Eskimo's!?

what problems can i look forward to from removing them?
I know the ldp is up there somewhere and something to do with the gas tank also will this stuff be okay?
is there a plastic fender liner i can buy that fits oem? if so p/n?
what do i doooooo[wrench]

[alpinestar180]

I think they were put there by the accountants. they had so skimp somewhere.

[diplomat128]

I'm pretty sure they put carpet fender liners because they soundproof the interior better than plastic. So what if they get wet, they're carpet fender liners... they were made for this shit.

[blmlozz]

Lolll what?! I'll have to see this shit the next time I eyepoke a B6. I've never heard of something like that before.

[El_Chapusca]

Mine is falling out, the carpet ripped around where one of the screw is holds it. rear driver side anyone have a part number?

[AudiFan6482]

also there isnt a whole lot in the back of the car to protect like there is in the front so the need wasnt really there.


part numbers for the fleece liners though

(drivers side) Left Rear - 8E0810171E
(passenger side) Right Rear - 8E0810172E

[AudiA4Turbo22]

I'm pretty sure they put carpet fender liners because they soundproof the interior better than plastic. So what if they get wet, they're carpet fender liners... they were made for this shit.

Exactly, almost ALL luxury cars have them. Think about it, when you have pebbles shoot up in your wheel wells, you do not hear anything thanks to this wonderful carpet.

[AudiFan6482]

and the funny part is that the rear fleece liners are $30 more expensive than the front plastic ones

[mattg1.8]

i love my fender liners. drive over a pile of sand with an audi and a civic and see which one sounds better

[alpinestar180]

i love my fender liners. drive over a pile of sand with an audi and a civic and see which one sounds better

or just don't drive over a pile of sand. JK.

in all reality though, in spite of the usefullness of the carpet, it could be tougher.

[shane.trammell]

Just re carpet them. Im sure your local flooring store has some scraps they will give you!

[old guy]

The "rat fur" rear wheel liners reduce the amount of water spray coming off the rear wheels when cruising at high speeds in the rain (think Autobahn).

[iamshayan]

I'm pretty sure they put carpet fender liners because they soundproof the interior better than plastic. So what if they get wet, they're carpet fender liners... they were made for this shit.

so what if they get wet... right
but what happens when you add salt into the equation. lets see .... salt + water + carpet (sponge) + metal. = rust.
when i bought my b6 both of the rear fenders had rust bubbles and rot starting....
i dont like rust. especially on a car as nice as ours it should not happen.
mind you my car is at 215,000 kms (133,000mi)

would rather have no rust than sound proofing and reduced water spraying when driving at autobahn speeds ... just saying

[boostedAvant]

Mine are both falling off in the back.. I need to find a better way to attach them. Tucking tire in the back + Denver snow = fender liner destruction

[JoshDub]

so what if they get wet... right
but what happens when you add salt into the equation. lets see .... salt + water + carpet (sponge) + metal. = rust.
when i bought my b6 both of the rear fenders had rust bubbles and rot starting....
i dont like rust. especially on a car as nice as ours it should not happen.
mind you my car is at 215,000 kms (133,000mi)

would rather have no rust than sound proofing and reduced water spraying when driving at autobahn speeds ... just saying

I have never heard of your problem before. The fender liners do have a plastic backing. Or maybe I just got a special kind.

It's not like regular carpet guys. I don't see how people having such a hard time with these fender liners.

[Turbavanttro]

I don't see how people having such a hard time with these fender liners.

nor do i. they do get dirty and dont look black anymore. hard to clean on the car. but easy to remove. i power washed mine and put them back on. look close to new now.

i think they are quite ingeniuous actually. easiest liner ive ever removed, restored, and put back on.

there is no way this liner causes increased corrosion. my wheel well was so clean below it.

[El_Chapusca]

They are protected and seal so no water gets through them. However left rear is hanging off on the side, due to one of the plastics screws failing and falling off.

[BASARAB]

Once I ordered front passenger liner from GAP and they sent me a carpet one, not sure why

[xtof]

nor do i. they do get dirty and dont look black anymore. hard to clean on the car. but easy to remove. i power washed mine and put them back on. look close to new now.

i think they are quite ingeniuous actually. easiest liner ive ever removed, restored, and put back on.

there is no way this liner causes increased corrosion. my wheel well was so clean below it.

Agree except that in harsh winter conditions the weight of packed snow/ice that collects there puts a lot of pressure on the liner whose rear lower holes tend to outgrow the size of the screw heads (or original washers). Adding bigger washers fixed the issue for me.

[wolfdog]

Noticed one of my rear liners is falling off/drooping almost onto my tire. That's a spring fix for sure.

[diplomat128]

BTW guys:

My fender liner fell off too, I just removed the wheel, added some washers and re screwed it back. No need to replace it. Took like 15 minutes...

[Casius]

I should have done a write up for when I fixed mine. I found a large plastic container that had some flat sides on it and cut out two 2x2 inch pieces and essentially used them as huge washers under the bolts where the carpet ripped. That should hold it up there for good and the snow shouldn't be able to drag em down anymore :) Or you could find some huge washers too. But don't expect something small like a 1 inch washer to hold, mine ripped through that so that's why I used the plastic container

[A4 Moda]

Rat HaIR ftw.

I love that about the A4.

[03a4sport]

I can vouch for bigger washers working. After about 10lbs of snow/ice hanging from the liner, it decided to give way. Cleaned off all the snow, added some bigger washers, and no more problems driving in Michigan weather.

[32_d3gr33s]

I can vouch for bigger washers working. After about 10lbs of snow/ice hanging from the liner, it decided to give way. Cleaned off all the snow, added some bigger washers, and no more problems driving in Michigan weather.


Mine had fallen off to the point that they were just riding on the wheel because of all the snow. Added a couple large homemade washers, and vioala, no issues in the 3 years since...

[DPDISXR4Ti]

I have never heard of your problem before. The fender liners do have a plastic backing. Or maybe I just got a special kind.

It's not like regular carpet guys. I don't see how people having such a hard time with these fender liners.

Exactly. In fact, I was so impressed with them, I've got in mind to grab a set from the junkyard one day and see if I might be able to fit them to one of my older cars.

[AudiA4_20T]

Honestly F these carpet liners. I shredded mine like 3 years ago and finally put a new one in this year and its shredded already. F this

[FoRbAnNa]

Yeah our cars don't rust at all behind the rear carpet fender liners.. Had to do a huge rust removing job last winter. I was stunned after removing the idiotic carpet fender liners when I saw what was underneat.. Does this look like no rust to you guys? Car had 155k Km on it when I did the job.

http://i590.photobucket.com/albums/ss343/fellowaudiman/misc/270920093722.jpg
http://i590.photobucket.com/albums/ss343/fellowaudiman/misc/270920093723.jpg
http://i590.photobucket.com/albums/ss343/fellowaudiman/misc/300920093756.jpg

[JoshDub]

That looks like there must have been a problem before. Had it been repainted?

Audi has a 10 or 12 year corrosion protection warrant. Not to mention they are supposed to be galvanized.

I don't think that is due to the fender liners solely.

[DPDISXR4Ti]

I don't think that is due to the fender liners solely.

I'll go so far as to say it would be far worse without the liners in place.

[diagnosticator]

so what if they get wet... right
but what happens when you add salt into the equation. lets see .... salt + water + carpet (sponge) + metal. = rust.
when i bought my b6 both of the rear fenders had rust bubbles and rot starting....
i dont like rust. especially on a car as nice as ours it should not happen.
mind you my car is at 215,000 kms (133,000mi)

would rather have no rust than sound proofing and reduced water spraying when driving at autobahn speeds ... just saying

Spreading salt on the roads is not necessary and should be banned. The State of Alaska does not use salt on the roads, and drivers learn how to get around with just sand used where needed. It's true that the carpet wheel well liners hold salt, this is why you must wash out the wheel wells (along with the rest of the car,) frequently at a DIY car wash.
Using salt on the roads causes billions of dollars worth of property damage every year, a lot more economic cost than the soccer moms and other incompetent drivers having fender benders until they learn how to drive on icy roads.

[diagnosticator]

Audi has a 12 year unlimited mileage rust through perforation warranty. So, to prevent the perforation from rust, something must be done by Audi to address this damage before that happens. I suggest you have the damage evaluated by an Audi dealer.

[diagnosticator]

I'll go so far as to say it would be far worse without the liners in place.

Very true, because the paint and galvanizing zinc coating will be blasted off of the wheel well sheet metal from gravel and stones off of the tires leaving the metal completely unprotected from salt attack. IMO, the rust damage shown in the pics above, is cause mainly by not washing out the wheel wells often during the winter.

[DownhillA4]

Exactly, almost ALL luxury cars have them. Think about it, when you have pebbles shoot up in your wheel wells, you do not hear anything thanks to this wonderful carpet.

I got carpet fender liners put in my front wheel wells to match the backs. I like them.

[doublezero30]

Audi has a 12 year unlimited mileage rust through perforation warranty. So, to prevent the perforation from rust, something must be done by Audi to address this damage before that happens. I suggest you have the damage evaluated by an Audi dealer.

so does this mean a rust spot on my fender (outer edge) would be covered by audi?

[iamshayan]

so does this mean a rust spot on my fender (outer edge) would be covered by audi?
x2 does this mean they will cover my $500 bodyshop bill?


Spreading salt on the roads is not necessary and should be banned. The State of Alaska does not use salt on the roads, and drivers learn how to get around with just sand used where needed. It's true that the carpet wheel well liners hold salt, this is why you must wash out the wheel wells (along with the rest of the car,) frequently at a DIY car wash.
Using salt on the roads causes billions of dollars worth of property damage every year, a lot more economic cost than the soccer moms and other incompetent drivers having fender benders until they learn how to drive on icy roads.

agree x10 not to mention its horrible for the environment, the city of barrie that i live in uses sand, however the highway going to my parents house and the city my parents live in all use salt.....

such mixed oppinions on this topic.

[JoshDub]

so does this mean a rust spot on my fender (outer edge) would be covered by audi?

I believe as long as there is no previous body work in that area they should cover it.


x2 does this mean they will cover my $500 bodyshop bill?



Maybe. You really should have taken it to Audi before getting work done.

[a4audi4fun]

I believe Audi's warranty requires rust perforation to occur, not just surface but always get a final opinion direct from the dealer & Audi claims rep.

[sean1.8t]

Exactly, almost ALL luxury cars have them. Think about it, when you have pebbles shoot up in your wheel wells, you do not hear anything thanks to this wonderful carpet.

when you're lowered in a heavy snow climate, they are not wonderful at all. i have no rear liners because it took all of 1 snow storm for them to rip out on me. snow builds up like a mofo on those rat fur liners and then the snow and tires tear them out with a furry. it may be the quietest solution, but with a car meant to drive in the snow, i don't see the reasoning

[JoshDub]

I had plenty of times I was plowing with my A4 in the snow while lowered with snow tires. Never had a problem with the fender liners.

[FoRbAnNa]

I don't know about AoA's rust warranty but here in europe it's 10 years not 12. If the car has had any bodywork before they won't cover it regardless if the previous damage were to the front of the car while the rust is at the rear. I've had several conversations with the guy who handles bodywork claims at the dealer and they wouldn't cover it since the previous owner had some work done due to a front fender bender and a break in. Where they replaced the left rear door and a fender and got it painted.

Since the rust warranty derfore is out of the equation the only thing left is if the warranty about rust that goes through the chassis. My car is not in that bad shape so they wouldn't cover anything. It's not just both the rear wheel arches, its the front arches and the whole underside of the floor too. And even some around the hinges to the hood where the hinges bolts to the chassis. I've had this car for almost 3 years now and I've taken well care of it and wash it every week, in the arches and everything. The car is 10 years old in about a month from now, and the previous owners and myself included all live in the worst cities when it comes to salt on the roads.

I can't agree to that if only the previous owners only had cleaned the wheel liners every time they washed the car there wouldn't be rust on the underside of the floor and even some places under the hood like where the battery sits etc. It just seems like it's everywhere. I've sandblasted every bit of rust off and primed it with epoxyprimer and sprayed alot of underbody protection like Tectyl ontop. I hope that will do for some years at least.

[sean1.8t]

I had plenty of times I was plowing with my A4 in the snow while lowered with snow tires. Never had a problem with the fender liners.

like i said, HEAVY snow. this was a 2 foot snow storm im talking about

[Casius]

Spreading salt on the roads is not necessary and should be banned. The State of Alaska does not use salt on the roads, and drivers learn how to get around with just sand used where needed. It's true that the carpet wheel well liners hold salt, this is why you must wash out the wheel wells (along with the rest of the car,) frequently at a DIY car wash.
Using salt on the roads causes billions of dollars worth of property damage every year, a lot more economic cost than the soccer moms and other incompetent drivers having fender benders until they learn how to drive on icy roads.

Totally agree, I can't believe it's allowed to be done. Half the time around here it makes things ten times worse cause you get salty slush and then when it get's really cold and or snows it just becomes like driving on butter, it's absolutely horrid. I want the roads to be sanded and make winter tires mandatory period.

[diagnosticator]

AFAIK, the 12 year perforation rust through warranty is an Audi Factory warranty, not just an AoA policy. If OEM new factory body parts are used, installed using factory approved repair procedures, then any excuses by the dealer avoiding addressing the subsequent corrosion damage to those parts should be challenged as non performance of the warranty. (Repairs to certain areas does not effect the warranty for factory original unrepaired body areas, regardless.) The reason is because the new OEM parts are galvanized and primed as delivered, the same as the original part used to fabricate the chassis at the factory. If Audi wants to wait for any existing corrosion damage to fully perforate the body before taking action, then the the repair costs will be a lot higher later, but I suppose that is Audi's concern, not the vehicle owners worry. Except, IMO, the visual degradation of the cars appearance is unacceptable in any case, and I would insist Audi address this issue, taking the case up the chain of command until something was done in response that is consistent with the visual problems from rust, associated with the factory rust through warranty provisions.

[EErie B6]

Lolll what?! I'll have to see this shit the next time I eyepoke a B6. I've never heard of something like that before.

im pretty sure the C5 cars have them too.

[EErie B6]

Spreading salt on the roads is not necessary and should be banned. The State of Alaska does not use salt on the roads, and drivers learn how to get around with just sand used where needed. It's true that the carpet wheel well liners hold salt, this is why you must wash out the wheel wells (along with the rest of the car,) frequently at a DIY car wash.
Using salt on the roads causes billions of dollars worth of property damage every year, a lot more economic cost than the soccer moms and other incompetent drivers having fender benders until they learn how to drive on icy roads.

oh my god. Thank you. someone else that sees it the same.
many of the western states don't use salt as well... and they too do just fine.

[JoshDub]

Seattle uses salt now. Well kind of. If we had any trucks that could actually plow roads or disperse salt we would be using that nasty crap now.

[diagnosticator]

Seattle uses salt now. Well kind of. If we had any trucks that could actually plow roads or disperse salt we would be using that nasty crap now.

I'm writing letters. Better to try and stop this plan early than later when a lot of money has been spent. Request you do too. (To the Mayor, SDOT, etc.) If the powers that be refuse to stop the salt plan, and instead, contiunue to use sand only, I will be looking into a lawsuit.

[diagnosticator]

Totally agree, I can't believe it's allowed to be done. Half the time around here it makes things ten times worse cause you get salty slush and then when it get's really cold and or snows it just becomes like driving on butter, it's absolutely horrid. I want the roads to be sanded and make winter tires mandatory period.

I agree. Everyone who understands that using salt just makes the situation worse, should write letters to the legislators for the States and Provinces effected, to try and get a ban on salt. I hate the salty brown slush that forms from using salt, it just results in a huge mess that makes driving conditions worse. Sand, when spread frequently where needed, freezes into the ice layer and creates a good anti skid surface that is effective with out trying to melt the ice down to the pavement with salt.

[iamshayan]

looks like my carpet liner thread has turned into a salt on the roads thread......

[diagnosticator]

looks like my carpet liner thread has turned into a salt on the roads thread......

Sorry for adding to this diversion, but the corrosion problems blamed on the carpet liner kind of provoked this development. It happens sometimes....PM sent.

[diagnosticator]

I got carpet fender liners put in my front wheel wells to match the backs. I like them.

Are the front carpet type wheel well liners you have OEM parts, or custom made?

[diagnosticator]

Just re carpet them. Im sure your local flooring store has some scraps they will give you!

Indoor/outdoor carpet comes to mind.

[DownhillA4]

Are the front carpet type wheel well liners you have OEM parts, or custom made?

OEM, i was suprised the shop said they could get them when one of my plastic liners got a hairline crack in it. They said they could replace them with the newer carpet version and sure enough, they did. Diagnostor, I agree 110% about not using salt and it only causes more havoc and destruction on both the roads and vehicles. Luckily enough for me, my A4 stays in the garage and out of the initial mess on the roads, but still gets covered in salt dust from a few days after the storm. Then again like you said, my car is sprayed atleast underneath/wheel-wells twice a week. Today is a high of 15 & i'm heading to the spray booth to get the layer of salt dust off.

[pa4ul]

can the front liners be purchased through the dealership. also how much should i be looking to get them ordered.

[BASARAB]

can the front liners be purchased through the dealership. also how much should i be looking to get them ordered.

No, they can not ( sarcasm)

[cosmokramer]

Part numbers for the front carpeted ones would be super!

[shane.trammell]

Indoor/outdoor carpet comes to mind.

I was thinking a nice berber

[EErie B6]

I was thinking a nice berber

shag! all the way... the serious stuff from the 60-70s... complete with a carpet rake.

[boostedAvant]

I noticed mine was falling off the other day.. I went to wash my car yesterday and found that it was completely gone [o_o] I have no idea how I didn't hear or notice that hahaha. Oh well. Time for some new ones.

[EErie B6]

thoughts on pulling all the liners out in the spring, cleaning things up and laying down a nice coat of rubberized undercoating or fluid film... then reinstalling carpet liners?

[iamshayan]

I noticed mine was falling off the other day.. I went to wash my car yesterday and found that it was completely gone [o_o] I have no idea how I didn't hear or notice that hahaha. Oh well. Time for some new ones.
i lol'd


thoughts on pulling all the liners out in the spring, cleaning things up and laying down a nice coat of rubberized undercoating or fluid film... then reinstalling carpet liners?

good idea!

[boostedAvant]

i lol'd

Me too. I looked and I was like wait... wtf? It's gone?! How did I not notice that when it happened.

[B6_Dolphin]

Courtesy of the last few days of snow in the Seattle area, I just noticed I have a case of "saggy liner" syndrome on the A4.

[waldo1324]

thoughts on pulling all the liners out in the spring, cleaning things up and laying down a nice coat of rubberized undercoating or fluid film... then reinstalling carpet liners?

I was just thinking that... im going to blast them clean and plastidip a layer on come spring.

[drjonez]

I'm pretty sure they put carpet fender liners because they soundproof the interior better than plastic...

You are correct sir. Meant to damp out tire/road noise...

[DoubleATO]

my passenger side fell down so i just got BIG washers, painted them black, and reinstalled my liner. Its been holding for 3 years now. You don't even notice them.

[tchuck]

which German engineer decided on carpet fender liners?

It was definitely Bjorn.

Sent from my DROID RAZR

[Saturnine]

Edited.


It was definitely Bjork.

Sent from my DROID RAZR

[Pothole]

http://www.ssplprints.com/lowres/43/main/4/82831.jpg

I bet it was this guy

[Charles.waite]

It was definitely Bjorn.

Sent from my DROID RAZR

Wasn't he the same one who designed the Plastic breather hose "update" and the plastic Coolant Bleeder screw?

[tchuck]

Edited.

Isn't she Norwegian?

Sent from my DROID RAZR

[iamshayan]

thoughts on pulling all the liners out in the spring, cleaning things up and laying down a nice coat of rubberized undercoating or fluid film... then reinstalling carpet liners?
anyways, I got some rubberized undercoating and layered it all up in my wheel wells,

[gotboost]

I took mine off and tossed them over a year ago. Got sick of them getting ripped off every winter.

[B6_Dolphin]

Wasn't he the same one who designed the Plastic breather hose "update" and the plastic Coolant Bleeder screw?

The one place Audi could have used plastic - say a plastic grommet at each of the liner attachment points - could prevent the fabric from liberating from itself under the fasteners.

[bondar1989]

Lightweight[>_<]

[A4Dit]

Mine fell off in 2008 because of my wide wheels and height. Don't really need them in Florida though.

[DownhillA4]

Part numbers for the front carpeted ones would be super!

Check ECStuning.com under B6 S4.

[n7plus1]

i have no problems with mine? also, acura's and other luxury cars come with them in the rear. its a sound deadening feature.

[Mistereed]

I just replaced my driver's side front fender this past weekend. Ordered all OEM parts and it came with the carpeted fender liner. I was not given any options. It fits well, but now the drivers side rubs at times from my drop and the passenger side with the plastic liner doesn't rub. I haven't been able to inspect the wear yet to see what adjustments I can make to the new liner.

[Samulis]

I just replaced my driver's side front fender this past weekend. Ordered all OEM parts and it came with the carpeted fender liner. I was not given any options. It fits well, but now the drivers side rubs at times from my drop and the passenger side with the plastic liner doesn't rub. I haven't been able to inspect the wear yet to see what adjustments I can make to the new liner.

Have you noticed less road/tire noise coming from the drivers side now?

[iamshayan]

I just replaced my driver's side front fender this past weekend. Ordered all OEM parts and it came with the carpeted fender liner. I was not given any options. It fits well, but now the drivers side rubs at times from my drop and the passenger side with the plastic liner doesn't rub. I haven't been able to inspect the wear yet to see what adjustments I can make to the new liner.

cut holes in the carpet around where it rubs. or just keep rubbing till it makes itself a hole. Eventually it will stop.

[diagnosticator]

has anyone else noticed that our rear fender liners are made of carpet and pretty much never dry..... absorb sand like a wet vagina on the beach, and inhibit snow like Eskimo's!?

what problems can i look forward to from removing them?
I know the ldp is up there somewhere and something to do with the gas tank also will this stuff be okay?
is there a plastic fender liner i can buy that fits oem? if so p/n?
what do i doooooo[wrench]

Wash them at the car wash frequently. The "carpet" liners are specifically used to reduce noise from pebbles etc, being thrown off of the tires. removing then is a bad idea, road crap/ice and snow will build up in the body that the liners now prevent from getting sprayed. That would weight a ton, and allow corrosion to start.

[Mistereed]

Have you noticed less road/tire noise coming from the drivers side now?
In the 3 days since I replaced it I have not noticed a difference between the two sides.
I'll listen for it and update back.
Sent from my HTC Windows phone 8X using Board Express

[iamshayan]

Wash them at the car wash frequently. The "carpet" liners are specifically used to reduce noise from pebbles etc, being thrown off of the tires. removing then is a bad idea, road crap/ice and snow will build up in the body that the liners now prevent from getting sprayed. That would weight a ton, and allow corrosion to start.

lol this is an old one diagnosticator I think you already mentioned that in this thread tbh.
I dont know why it was bumped really.

[Mistereed]

lol this is an old one diagnosticator I think you already mentioned that in this thread tbh.
I dont know why it was bumped really.
This was bumped because its related to a topic I wanted some clarification on. And that was achieved. Thanks.
Sent from my HTC Windows phone 8X using Board Express