Buy Lexus LS460 Fender Liner Or Splash Shield

The Lexus LS460 fender liner-also known as a splash shield, wheel-well liner, wheel-house guard, or inner fender-is a shaped plastic panel that lines the arch behind each tire. It blocks mud, salty water, stones, and road trash from striking the engine bay and suspension, cuts down tire noise, and helps smooth airflow for a little better fuel use (caliber.com) (Parts Avatar). Most liners are made from flexible polypropylene so they won't rust, and the LS460 design clips in with plastic pins and a handful of 10 mm screws (Club Lexus). When the shield cracks or goes missing, owners report louder cabins, premature rust on frame rails, and even damaged wheel-speed sensors (Reddit).

Part Basics

The front and rear splash guards form a barrier between the spinning tire and the cabin sheet-metal. By keeping water off the wiring, vacuum lines, and brake hoses, they prevent hidden corrosion and mis-fires (CarParts). Engineers also use the liner to shape the wheel-well opening so air flows smoothly around the tire, trimming drag and helping gas mileage-small gains, but free once the shield is in place (MDPI) (EcoModder).

Key Specs

• Model years covered: 2007-2017 LS460 and long-wheelbase LS460 L (RWD & AWD).
• Material: Impact-resistant polypropylene (PP) or PET blend (Auto Moto).
• Fasteners: 6-8 push-pins plus 3-5 M6 (10 mm-head) screws per side (Club Lexus).

Benefits

1. Engine protection - stops sand, slush, and gravel from blasting belts, pulleys, and the alternator (caliber.com).
2. Noise control - liner plastic absorbs some tire roar, keeping the cabin quieter (priceofbusiness.com).
3. Aerodynamics - smoother wheel-well airflow trims turbulence and can boost mpg by fractions that add up over time (MDPI).
4. Safety - by deflecting debris, it lowers the chance of wiring shorts that could trigger warning lights or ABS faults (jonyautoparts.com).

Common Damage

• Curb strikes & parking stops-plastic tears at the mounting lip.
• Winter ice buildup-frozen slush adds weight and cracks clips (CarParts).
• Aging & UV-older PP can turn brittle and split.
• Improper jack points-a bent pinch-weld pierces the liner.

Symptoms include a hanging panel rubbing the tire, extra road splash on the hood insulation, or a sudden rise in cabin noise (Reddit).

DIY Replacement

Tools: Jack, stands, 10 mm socket, trim-clip pliers, flat screwdriver.

1. Lift and secure the corner; remove the wheel for space.
2. Pop out the plastic clips; turn each 90° then pull (Club Lexus).
3. Undo the screws along the bumper edge and rocker.
4. Slide out the old wheel-arch shield.
5. Test-fit the new inner fender; pre-thread clips.
6. Re-install screws to 5-7 ft-lb; over-tightening strips plastic (eBay).

Allow about one hour per side. Many owners replace missing clips with cup-style push-pins sold in bulk packs.

Cost & Time

Aftermarket liners for the LS460 usually run US $60-$120 each, while assorted fastener kits add $10-$15. Labor at a shop averages 0.6-1.0 h per corner, or roughly $100 in most regions (based on typical mechanical rates). Doing it yourself saves that fee and lets you clean the wheel-well rust at the same time.

Care Tips

• Rinse inside the wheel-house during every wash to flush salt.
• Inspect clips at each tire rotation; replace any missing.
• In snowy areas, knock away packed ice before parking overnight.
• If you drive dirt roads often, consider spraying the liner with silicone to make mud slide off more easily.

Environmental & Safety Notes

Keeping the splash guard intact can lower the chance of loose debris hitting hot exhaust parts, a factor noted in several debris-related fire investigations (NHTSA). Proper shields also reduce underbody drag, which in turn lowers tail-pipe CO₂ a bit over the vehicle's life (EcoModder).

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is the fender liner the same as an engine splash guard?
A: They do similar jobs, but the liner hugs the wheel well while the under-engine cover spans the oil pan area.

Q: Can I drive without the liner?
A: You can, but dirt and water will hammer sensitive parts, and you may hear more noise (Reddit).

Q: What is it made of?
A: Tough polypropylene or a PP-PET blend that resists road chemicals (Auto Moto).

Q: Will an LS600h or LS460 F Sport liner fit my regular LS460?
A: Check body-code and drivetrain. AWD models use a slightly different right-front shield because of the extra front axle.

Q: How long does it last?
A: In mild climates, 8-12 years; road-salt regions may see cracks sooner.

Q: Do I need to remove the bumper?
A: No. Just the wheel and inner screws-bumper can stay on (Club Lexus).

Q: Are there metal versions?
A: Not for this model. Metal would trap moisture and could rust the fender edge.

Q: What fastener size do I buy?
A: Toyota/Lexus 7 mm stem push-pins (head Ø ≈ 18 mm) and M6 bolts, 16 mm long (Club Lexus).

Q: Can a worn liner cause warning lights?
A: Yes-spray can short wheel-speed sensors or corrode ABS wiring.

Q: Will it improve fuel economy?
A: A smooth wheel-house can cut drag a little-studies show small but real gains (MDPI).

Q: Should I coat it with under-seal?
A: No. Flexible plastic already resists water; coatings add weight and can hide cracks.

Q: How tight are the screws?
A: Hand-snug-Toyota spec is roughly 5 ft-lb (7 N·m) (Club Lexus).

Q: My liner buzzes at speed-fix?
A: Replace missing clips; add thin foam between liner and fender lip to stop vibration (DIY Mobile Audio).

Sources

1. "What Is a Fender Liner and What To Do if Damaged," Caliber Collision.
2. "Why Do We Need Fender Liners?" PartsAvatar Blog.
3. "How To Replace Inner Fender Liner," CarParts Garage.
4. JCBL India tech blog on PP liners.
5. "Top Reasons to Invest in Quality Fender Liners," Price of Business.
6. r/Cartalk discussion on driving without liners.
7. ClubLexus thread: removing liner screws.
8. Installation steps for Lexus wheel-house shield (forum guide).
9. JonyAutoParts article on noise reduction.
10. MDPI study on aerodynamic noise in wheel cavities.
11. Ecomodder forum notes on wheel-well airflow.
12. Seller installation notes mentioning liner removal before strut work.
13. EverCareProtection guide on liner benefits.
14. ClubLexus torque-specs resource.
15. DIYMobileAudio post on fender-liner sound deadening.
16. NHTSA recall booklet on debris-related safety defects.

These references back up every fact above and give deeper reading for curious visitors.