Buy Volkswagen Eos Fender Liner Or Splash Shield

Quick Look

The fender liner-also called the inner fender, wheel-well liner, mudguard, or splash shield-sits inside the front and rear wheel arches of every Volkswagen Eos built from model-year 2006 to 2016. Its main job is simple: keep water, sand, stones, and salty slush away from paint, wires, brakes, and the engine bay. A healthy liner also smooths the air that sweeps around the tire, helping the car slip through the wind a little easier. (bsautosupplies.com, Wrench Mobile Mechanics)

What It Is

A fender liner is a curved plastic or felt-backed panel bolted to the sheet-metal fender lip. On the Eos it is formed in two or three sections per wheel to match the car's clamp-on bodywork. Volkswagen labels typical front-upper pieces with part codes like 1Q0 805 912 C. (VW Parts)

Why It Matters

• Stops corrosion: Road salt and damp foam pads trapped behind the liner have been linked to early rust at the 12-o'clock point of the Eos front arches. (vweosclub.com)
• Protects wiring & sensors: The liner keeps ABS wires, headlamp harnesses, and parking-sensor looms from being sand-blasted. (bsautosupplies.com)
• Cuts cabin noise: Felt-style liners soak up gravel "ping" and can lower wheel-well noise by a few decibels. (Maverick Truck Club)
• Helps airflow: Closing gaps around the spinning tire reduces drag; carmakers even add ductwork (called air curtains) for the same reason. (Grassroots Motorsports, Ford Media Center)

Location

Look just behind each wheel. The liner wraps from the bumper edge to the rocker panel and upward to the strut tower. Two small drain hoses from the Eos's roof system exit near the rear wheel-arch liners, so a blocked liner can make the coupe-cabrio leak inside. (Cayman Autos, Car Forums at Edmunds.com)

Common Materials

Most modern liners use high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or polypropylene (PP) because these plastics are light, impact-resistant, and recyclable. (Tacoma World, polyvance.com) A growing number of automakers reinforce the plastic with recycled carpet or PET fibers for extra strength and sound damping. (Google Patents)

Signs of Trouble

• Rattling or scraping noise while driving. (bsautosupplies.com)
• Visible cracks, holes, or missing fasteners (usually T25 Torx screws). (VWVortex)
• Water dripping or rust bubbles at the top of the arch. (vweosclub.com)
• Engine bay dirtier than normal after rain. (Wrench Mobile Mechanics)

Model Fitment

The same basic splash shield fits all Eos trims (Comfortline, Sport, Executive, etc.) from 2006-2016, though facelift cars (2011-2016) use revised bracket slots along the bumper tabs. Always match the last three letters of the part code when ordering left vs. right sections. (VW Parts)

Install Steps

1. Jack up the corner and remove the wheel.
2. Unclip 7 - 9 T25 screws and two plastic rivets. (VWVortex)
3. Slide the old liner out; watch the roof-drain tubes by the rear arch.
4. Test-fit the new piece; pre-align tabs around the headlamp washer or brake-duct openings.
5. Reinstall screws; torque to hand-tight (about 2 Nm).
6. Spin the wheel by hand to check clearance before lowering the car.

Care & Upkeep

• Rinse the liner each oil change to flush grit away from the foam pads.
• Keep drain holes clear so water does not pool behind the liner. (Reddit)
• Replace missing screws promptly to stop the shield from flapping and cracking.

Related Parts

• Lower engine splash guard (under-tray) works with the fender liner to seal the entire wheel housing. (Wrench Mobile Mechanics)
• Wheel-arch felt seals around the Eos A-pillar help direct rain to the arch drains. (Cayman Autos)
• Air deflectors on some models attach to the liner's rear edge to guide air past the tire for better fuel economy. (Grassroots Motorsports)

Green Facts

Under Europe's End-of-Life Vehicle (ELV) rules, at least 25 % of the plastic in future cars must come from recycled material, and old PP liners are already being shredded, washed, and molded into new wheel-well shields. (Environment, Publications)

Keyword List

Volkswagen Eos fender liner, VW Eos splash shield, wheel-well liner, inner fender guard, wheel arch shield, mudguard insert, splash panel, HDPE fender liner, polypropylene wheel-well cover, convertible drain splash shield.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does a fender liner actually do?
A: It blocks road splash, stones, and salt from hitting paint, wiring, and engine parts and helps air move smoothly around the spinning tire. (bsautosupplies.com)

Q: Can I drive my Eos with the liner removed?
A: You can, but water and grit will quickly reach sensitive parts, so repairs may cost more than replacing the shield. (Wrench Mobile Mechanics)

Q: What plastic is the liner made from?
A: Most Eos liners are molded from high-density polyethylene or polypropylene, both tough and recyclable. (polyvance.com)

Q: How many screws hold it on?
A: About nine T25 Torx screws and two plastic rivets per wheel are common. (VWVortex)

Q: Why is my front arch rusting even though the liner looks fine?
A: Water can soak into factory foam pads behind the liner and sit against bare metal; over time that causes rust at the top of the wheel arch. (vweosclub.com)

Q: Does the liner help fuel economy?
A: Yes. Sealing the wheel well trims drag; automakers even use special air ducts for this effect. (Ford Media Center, Grassroots Motorsports)

Q: Are left and right liners interchangeable?
A: No. Each side is molded differently. Check the last characters of the part code before buying. (VW Parts)

Q: How often should I inspect mine?
A: Peek inside every oil change (about twice a year) for loose fasteners or tears. (bsautosupplies.com)

Q: Can I recycle a cracked liner?
A: Yes. Scrap recyclers shred PP or HDPE liners for reuse, and EU rules encourage it. (Environment)

Q: Will a missing liner make the car louder?
A: Usually, yes. Felt-style liners absorb sound; without them, gravel and water noises echo into the cabin. (Maverick Truck Club)

Q: Could a loose liner trigger a warning light?
A: If it snags an ABS wire or parking-sensor loom, it can. Securing it quickly prevents bigger issues. (bsautosupplies.com)

Q: How do I clean clogged drains near the liner?
A: Gently push a flexible plastic trimmer line through the roof drain tubes until water flows out by the rear wheel. (Cayman Autos)

Q: Do I need special tools to change the liner?
A: A jack, wheel wrench, T25 Torx bit, and flat trim tool are usually enough.

Q: What torque for the screws?
A: Hand-tight-about 2 Nm-is fine; overtightening strips the plastic.

Q: Can felt debris shields be repaired?
A: Small tears can be stitched or plastic-welded, but large cracks mean replacement. (polyvance.com)

Q: Does replacing a liner affect insurance?
A: It's viewed as maintenance, not a modification, so insurers are unlikely to care.

Q: Will aftermarket liners fit like factory ones?
A: Quality varies; choose parts that match Volkswagen's clip holes and thickness to avoid rattles.

This guide gives you the big picture-and the small details-so you can keep your Volkswagen Eos rolling clean, quiet, and rust-free.