This is why it's a good idea to remove your wheel arch liners once in a while...  Some small rodent type thing/s had clearly spent a comfortable time in the snug spaces.

But, there was also a lot of wet and damp dirt/mud low down in the places where rust could start at the front ends of the sills. 

I'll be washing it all out and then sloshing Waxoyl everywhere, before putting the liners back in with a recipe for squirrel pie as a deterrent for any future would-be dwellers.

 

Edited 31 December, 20241 yr by Fourpot

Yes this should be part of your yearly service routine if you want your car to last 10-15 years without rotting

On 31/12/2024 at 13:27, SuperbTWM said:

Yes this should be part of your yearly service routine if you want your car to last 10-15 years without rotting

Mine is almost 11 yeas old and I bought it a month ago. Luckily, the sludge inside the arches hasn't had any detrimental impact on the metal work. The previous/first owner will have serviced it well.

Being lazy here and not going outside to look at my car, I assume its quite an easy job to pull back the liners ?  Wheel off and undo the screws around the wheelarch ?  Anything else to be aware of ?  Thanks!

49 minutes ago, TasMan said:

Being lazy here and not going outside to look at my car, I assume its quite an easy job to pull back the liners ?  Wheel off and undo the screws around the wheelarch ?  Anything else to be aware of ?  Thanks!

Absolutely, it is that simple. Buuuut, depending on how old and how much exposed to British roads your car is/has been, you may need a handful of spare screws and the U-clip things they go into in case they are rusted out. I needed about six new clips.

To get the front ones off, you also have to remove the middle/front undertray, which is as easy (three big bolts at the back of it aswell).

Edited 6 January, 20251 yr by Fourpot

15 hours ago, Fourpot said:

Absolutely, it is that simple. Buuuut, depending on how old and how much exposed to British roads your car is/has been, you may need a handful of spare screws and the U-clip things they go into in case they are rusted out. I needed about six new clips.

To get the front ones off, you also have to remove the middle/front undertray, which is as easy (three big bolts at the back of it aswell).

Ideal thanks...!  Its a 2014 so I will bear that in mind about the screws/clips.  I had to buy new ones for the engine undertray as several had rotted and the tray was sagging, I assume probably much the same.  I'll maybe leave it to the spring and then give it a go.  Cheers !