So I decided I was going to paint my calipers today because they were badly faded (along with everything else...). So I pull the front passenger tire off first. First off, I notice that there is a LOT of black tar looking stuff caked on the fender wells. It's THICK. I guess the previous owner didn't give a crap about it or something... So I grab the degreaser and start cleaning. I got most of it off but couldn't get it all...

Anyway, on to the topic, well, just check out these pictures.. What do you think happened here? It looks like the tire rubbed it really bad and it melted or something?? Any ideas??

 

Major rubbing problem.What size wheels and tires you running?

 

Mine is starting to do that, but it's because the fender liner is loose (missing some bolts) so the tire rubs at full lock. I need to fix it before it gets that bad!

 

any time you go 100+ the liner pushs back and rubs on the tire...common problem

 

245/45/17 tire size. i was worried that it was something worse then a rubbing problem.. i'm not too concerned about rubbing. i'll whip some zip ties out but i think the damage is already done..

 

your tires are too tall. my fender liners are so mangled im debating just cutting them out

 

Had the same thing happen to myself. tire rubbed when plastics were secured

 

BTW: what is that radiator looking thing behind the fender? Didnt bother checking when I had the tire off and just thought I'd ask..

 

thats your oil cooler...

 

Ah thanks. I'm still a noob when it comes to these cars...

On and side note, I've been having some power issues (sometimes my radio or whatever will cut out when i hit the breaks, turn signals, ect..) is there anything (wires or anything) around the area of this fender that could cause some electrical issues if rubbed or cut? Thanks for any info.

 

^^^Not on that side.. the drivers side had the main engine harness running through it though.

 

thanks i'll snoop around that area then.

 

you may also want to have you vacuum system checked - I had a 240sx (I know, completely different) that had the same problem..... PCV valve was the fix

 

Yea it even happend to me...I got in on order, but it's taking a long *** time to come in.

 

Same thing happened to my brothers SRT4...It's not to uncommon on for those black clips to come off and allowed tthose fender liners to rub more then normal