What do you call the plastic sheet underneath the front of a car?

September 29, 2007 8:55 AM

What would an auto parts website call the flexible sheet of plastic bolted underneath the front corners of a car, just in front of the wheel well? It looks easy to replace, but I don't know how to go about getting a replacement.
posted by boognish to travel & transportation (7 comments total)

It is called the wheel liner. I had my front bumper replaced yesterday and they didn't bother to replace the wheel liners.
posted by ikkyu2 at 9:00 AM on September 29, 2007

Stone shield
posted by knave at 9:07 AM on September 29, 2007

On Car Talk this morning they refered to this as a "debris shield".
posted by Lentrohamsanin at 9:11 AM on September 29, 2007

Per my mechanic's manual, VW calls this piece "noise insulation" on my GTI.

Generally, though, something like "stone shield" should do.
Go to the dealer's parts counter and describe the piece to them. They'll know what you're talking about.
They can bring-up a diagram of that area of the car and point it out to you and tell you what they call it.
posted by Thorzdad at 9:15 AM on September 29, 2007

I've heard it referred to the fairing or wheel well fairing or something like that.
posted by !Jim at 10:55 AM on September 29, 2007

Some manufacturers call them "air dams," "front spoilers," or "splash guards." It would really help to know the make/model of the vehicle, to answer the question. Not all auto parts stores stock or order the full range of body parts, so you may have to go to a jobber or dealership to get the part, or even a description.
posted by paulsc at 12:11 PM on September 29, 2007

this is something you're more likely to get from the dealer than from the auto parts store...
posted by HuronBob at 5:30 PM on September 29, 2007