Fender liner alignment after dropping bumper to change light

[tomlin99]

Hi all...been lurking around for awhile and finally joined "the club". I have a 2010 Kizashi SE AWD...car has almost 50,000 miles and has been mechanically flawless except for an alignment issue which pretty much trashed the second set of tires (didn't notice it until the tires started to howl due to the uneven wear). After the alignment fix all is well. I really like this car...it's fun to drive, economical and very reliable (so far)...I take good care of it.

Over the weekend I had to change a burned-out headlight...dropped the bumper as directed and removed the headlight assembly. While I was at it, I removed both assemblies and replaced ALL the bulbs (just my luck another one would blow a week later). The job was a BEAR...took me the better part of Sunday afternoon. I DID break the tabs off the foam absorber behind the bumper cover...not a big deal as long as it lines up again I figured.

I finally got all the bulbs replaced, assemblies put back in place and raised and reconnected the bumper (THAT was tricky...took awhile and lots of swearing). All seems OK but I've noticed that the fender liner from the bottom of the bumper cover to where it meets the upper fender doesn't extend all the way to the edge (hope this makes sense). It's inside the bumper cover (I'm talking about the plastic bumper cover in front of the wheel) about an inch to an inch and a half. The passenger side is the same way....maybe a little less. I can't remember if it was that way before or not. Is the fender liner supposed to extend to the outer edge of the bumper in front of the wheel? If so, something is f****d up. A guy from a local body shop took a look at it and said everything looked OK to him...said it was probably just like that...I'm still not sure.

My concern is if that liner is out of whack could it allow water and salt to get up into the fender if it's not positioned properly? Of course there aren't any local dealerships anymore (all closed) and I can't find any information online. I want to be sure this issue is OK before the snow/salt season begins here (which should be any day now).

Can someone check out their car and let me know if the front fender liner extends to the OUTSIDE rim of the front bumper cover in front of the wheel or it it recessed in?

Sorry about the long post...this is bugging the crap out of me. Appreciate any help...

[indkizashi]

Post some pictures of it . So we can get a clear info what it is ...

[Ronzuki]

Pic of the area you are concerned with (2010 GTS, bumper cover has never been removed):

[KuroNekko]

I've removed my bumper a number of times. What you have to make sure to do is to have the fender liner fit into the bumper before you completely mount the bumper and install the bolts/screws. Once the bumper is fully attached, the liner is very hard to move.
Also, make sure to remove the rubber hood bumpers on either side of the engine bay latch. It makes taking off and remounting the bumper much easier than if they were left on.
Once you have the bumper somewhat on by the top hooks, make sure all the fender lining is tucked inside the bumper's edge in the wheel wells. Do this before you push the bumper's outer tabs into the front of the wheel well. Make sure the lining is not caught on other parts like the side splash guards.
When installed properly, it all fits nicely and there should be no large gaps into the wheel well.

Upload pics if you still have problems.

[tomlin99]

Thanks for the helpful replies and pics. My liner is definitely not fitting tightly against the bumper like the picture (thanks Ronzuki). I obviously didn't make sure the liner was pushed into the edge of the bumper when I reattached it. I think I'm going to have to remove the bumper again and make sure the liner is in the proper position. Will undoing the tabs where the cover meets the fender on each side give me any adjustment ability or do I have to totally remove the bumper again?

[indkizashi]

compared your picture with my bumper cause it was removed so many times in the past. it almost looks the same, All you need is to undo the screw over there align your fender back into place and lock it.

[Remav]

If any of you still have the pictures available that you are referencing, could you please repost them?
Kizzy #1, the 2010 SLS ate its own fender liner last night & wedged it up behind the tire. Looks like a total loss. I already have another one ordered, but that's not where my troubles will end. When it ripped it out, it took the part of the bumper cover that has the screw hole with it. I'm going to try my hand at welding a piece back in there & drilling a hole. (wish me luck). This will be my 1st bumper cover removal, so any tips that are not in this thread would be appreciated, but I'm sure it's well covered in other thread(s). - Thanks!

[KuroNekko]

If any of you still have the pictures available that you are referencing, could you please repost them?
Kizzy #1, the 2010 SLS ate its own fender liner last night & wedged it up behind the tire. Looks like a total loss. I already have another one ordered, but that's not where my troubles will end. When it ripped it out, it took the part of the bumper cover that has the screw hole with it. I'm going to try my hand at welding a piece back in there & drilling a hole. (wish me luck). This will be my 1st bumper cover removal, so any tips that are not in this thread would be appreciated, but I'm sure it's well covered in other thread(s). - Thanks!

http://kizashiclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=32&t=2861

This topic covers bumper removal, headlight removal, and HID kit installation. I wrote it as a 3-in-one, focusing quite a bit on bumper removal given the numerous requests for it. Hope it helps.

[paininthenuts]

Have a look at this



Moto - Edited to make video load in site. (The far right lower button on the ribbon lets you insert video)