Buy Mitsubishi Lancer Fender

Overview

The Mitsubishi Lancer front fender-also called a wing panel, wheel-arch panel, or mudguard-is the rigid outer skin that surrounds the front wheel opening. Its main job is to stop rocks, water, and road dirt from flying off the tire and hitting other cars or pedestrians.¹ It bolts to the body at the hood edge, door pillar, rocker panel, and bumper corner, creating a smooth flow of air around the car. The Lancer nameplate ran globally from 1973-2024, with U.S. sales ending after the 2017 model year.² Because fenders sit low and wide, they see plenty of dings, rust, and parking-lot bumps.

Fit Years

• 2002-2007 (CS/CT chassis) - Compact sedan body; fenders have a small marker-lamp recess that differs from later cars.³
• 2008-2017 (CY/CZ chassis) - Wider fender with sharper wheel arch; fits SE, ES, GT, and Ralliart trims.⁴
• 2008-2016 Lancer Evolution X (CZ4A) - Same outer shape as standard Lancer but made in lighter metal (see next section).⁵
  Fender liners, brackets, and splash shields are trim-level-specific, but bolt patterns stay the same within each generation.

Materials

Most Lancer fenders are stamped, e-coat-primed steel that averages about 0.8 mm thick. Aftermarket "lightweight" versions may use thinner steel. On the high-performance Evolution X, Mitsubishi switched to aluminum alloy to save about 6 lb per side.⁶ Owners sometimes fit aftermarket fiberglass or ABS plastic wide-body fenders for larger wheels or racing visuals.⁷

Damage Signs

• Minor dents or creases from doors and grocery carts.
• Rust bubbles at the lower rear edge where road salt collects.⁸
• Paint chips along the wheel lip from gravel.
• Mis-alignment causing the hood or door to rub the panel.
  Catching rust early is key-surface rust can be sanded and sealed, but perforated metal usually means replacement.

Fix & Install

A DIY swap takes about 60-90 minutes with 10 mm and 12 mm sockets, a trim-clip remover, and a friend to help guide the panel. A step-by-step video for 2008-2017 models shows all bolt spots, including the hidden one behind the side marker.⁹ Always remove the bumper corner and fender liner first, then lift the fender off the car from the rear edge forward. The 2004 workshop manual lists torque for the main bolts at 7.0 ± 1.0 ft-lb.¹⁰

Paint & Prep

New steel fenders ship in black phosphate or gray e-coat; this is not UV-stable, so finish sanding and primer-sealer are needed before base-coat/clear-coat paint. For a near-factory color match:

1. Find the paint code on the driver-side door jamb.
2. Test-spray a scrap piece to verify metallic flake size.
3. Apply two wet base coats, then two clear coats.

Allow at least 48 hours cure before washing.

Upgrades

Wide-body kits give the Lancer up to +60 mm extra track width and let owners run 18 × 10-inch wheels. The Varis "Hazard" carbon kit, for example, blends the rear over-fender smoothly into the bumper for a race look while shaving weight.¹¹ Some kits integrate functional vents that help extract hot air from the engine bay.

Maintenance

• Wash wheel arches every two weeks to clear salt and mud.
• Spray rubberized under-coat on the inner lip each spring.
• Replace cracked fender liners to keep water away from wiring. Water splashing under the liner can soak the ECU on 2003-2007 cars and cause hard starting.¹²

Safety

Federal guidelines require wheels to be covered by a fender or flare so debris cannot exit above the tire halfway point.¹³ IIHS crash data show that intact outer body panels help maintain door opening integrity in small-overlap tests, even though the fender itself is not structural.¹⁴ Driving without a secure fender liner can also let water hit airbags or ABS wiring and trigger warning lights.

Cost Factors

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*Prices vary by region and shop rates.

Eco Impact

Steel fenders are highly recyclable. A wrecker strips usable panels before shredding the rest; magnets then pull out steel for smelting into new sheet metal.¹⁵ Reusing a salvaged fender can cut the part's carbon footprint by over 50%. Aluminum panels save weight but require up to 95% less energy to recycle than to mine new bauxite.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What tools do I need to remove a Lancer fender?
A: 10 mm/12 mm sockets, Phillips driver, trim-clip pliers, plastic pry tool, and masking tape to protect edges.¹⁰

Q: Are left and right fenders interchangeable?
A: No-each side is mirror-specific and has different bracket angles.

Q: Will a 2015 Lancer fender fit a 2010 model?
A: Yes, if both cars are the 2008-2017 body style; check for fog-lamp bezel differences.⁴

Q: Do I have to remove the bumper?
A: You only need to unbolt the bumper corner and wheel-well screws, not the full bumper cover, to slide the fender out.⁹

Q: Can I drive without a fender liner?
A: It's legal in some states but risky; water can reach wiring, and debris can dent the fender from inside.¹²

Q: How do I stop rust on the wheel arch?
A: Sand to bare metal, apply rust-converter, prime, then seal with paint; wax twice a year.⁸

Q: Why is the Evo fender lighter?
A: It is stamped from aluminum alloy to cut weight and lower the car's center of gravity.⁶

Q: Is fiberglass strong enough for daily use?
A: It is light and easy to repair, but cracks easier than steel in parking impacts.

Q: Do wider fenders hurt fuel economy?
A: If they flare smoothly, the change is minimal; sharp edges can add drag.

Q: Can I re-use my old liner clips?
A: They often break; have a bag of new nylon push-clips ready.

Q: What paint finish did the factory use?
A: Two-stage base/clear with urethane clear coat.

Q: Are aftermarket steel fenders as thick as stock?
A: Many are slightly thinner to save cost; expect more road-noise unless under-coated.

Q: Are there any recalls on Lancer fenders?
A: No federal fender recalls, but the platform had separate recalls (e.g., head-lamp wiring on 2008-2012 cars).¹³

Q: How much gap should I leave to the hood?
A: About 3 mm is typical; use a paint-stick as a spacer while tightening bolts.

Q: Do I need an alignment after fender work?
A: No, the suspension geometry is untouched.

Citations

1. (Wikipedia) 2. (Wikipedia) 3. (ManualsLib) 4. (Car and Driver, Car and Driver) 5. (Wikipedia) 6. (Evolution M) 7. (Speedhunters) 8. (Evolution M) 9. (YouTube) 10. (ManualsLib) 11. (Speedhunters) 12. (YourMechanic) 13. (Department of Transportation) 14. (IIHS) 15. (www3.epa.gov)