Why does this part hang down?

[colintrax]

I'm trying to figure out why the tub ware hags down so much right here? It rubbed bad with stock tires, rubs even more with 30's and when I get 32's it'll rub REALLY bad so I wanna cut it off but I don't want to damage anything or cut any wires.
So what's it for?

http://s492.photobucket.com/albums/rr281/colintrax/?action=view&current=0308121545-00.jpg

 

[joe doe]

i would look behind it .might be a relief panel for something that sits behind it .if theres nothing behind it ,then cut away .but remember your going to have to seal up the cut with something once done

 

[colintrax]

I can't seem to find anything. And I was plannin on taking the dremel to it, then using the soldering iron to melt a part of it to the back side and keep it sealed off. Might not look the cleanest but it'll work

Just for some more info, it's a 97 with the 4.0 ohv 2wd

 

[Jason c]

Is it lowered? That is an awful lot of suspension compression to get the tire that far up to be rubbing there. I would look into why it's rubbing there before trimming anything.

 

[yavapaires]

I'm trying to figure out why the tub ware hags down so much right here? It rubbed bad with stock tires, rubs even more with 30's and when I get 32's it'll rub REALLY bad so I wanna cut it off but I don't want to damage anything or cut any wires.
So what's it for?

http://s492.photobucket.com/albums/rr281/colintrax/?action=view&current=0308121545-00.jpg

What I am seeing is the inner fender. What is behind (above) it is the radiator overflow reservoir and the washer fluid tank. How the hell do you get to nounce hard enough for the tire to rub? What size tires are you running?

 

[colintrax]

I've got a slight lift actually, with 30x9.5 tires. I drive pretty fast and needless to say the bump stops get used pretty frequently. I also hit a lot of speed bumps, a good 20 just inside the parking deck at school and 5 in the parking lot at work. I also go offroad with will push the tire up pretty far.
Also, this is the left front fender. So where the battery is, not the coolant overflow. I can't see the tubber ware from inside the engine bay

You can see where the tires have eaten up a good inch or so of that plastic

 

[alohamonte]

My GF has an acura with a similar rubbing of the plastic inner fender. it was not a compression issue, it was that the plastic fender was loose and flexing into the tire. I just put a couple of screws in it to keep it tight and problem is solved.

 

[colintrax]

That's not the issue though, plastic is nice and stiff. Rubs when I hit stuff, and I'm guessing that will eventually cause damage, completly eat through the plastic (and damage what's behind it) not to mention limit my up travel

 

[toypaseo]

If there is nothing behind it, maybe consider using a heat gun. Warm it up, and push it up with a piece of wood, or whatever. That way, you would not have any cuts or openings in the material.

Not sure if using a heat gun is even a good option Just an idea...

 

[colintrax]

Probably shouldn't use a heat gun that close to the paint. Anyone ever tore apart this fender and know whats there??