Advice needed! removing fender liner for rear clearance with a 205/45/17 snowtire

[alB5]

So this past winter I was running the 6-spoke SVT focus mk1 wheels with extreme contact continental tires. The profile 45 and the tread of the tire was much larger than anticipated. While just an annoyance at most, the rubbing in the rear on the fender fabric liner (towards the rear bumper) caused small holes. This also caused a slushy buildup in the same area this past winter which led to me always having to clear it manually.

Does anyone advise just cutting the sections out where it rubs? My buddy with a lowered mustang had a similar issue and said it wasn't a regretful choice.

Also plan on lowering the car slightly with some tighter springs after TB bars are installed. Bad idea with this sort've wheel/tire combination?

Thanks in advanced!

 

[CanadianGuy]

I personally plan on tacking it in place and possibly plastidiping it to make it more smooth/slippery. I notice on mine an easy 1 inch or more drop and movement between it and the tire. I also will be running 215/45R17 for winter on stock height . I don't like removing duch sheild as it means the snow collects onto the bumper or other areas.

 

[XuperXero]

The purpose of this liner is just to prevent dirt from getting into crevices behind it. I've been having the same problem with my front liners after dropping 25mm height at with 20mm spacers. To risk dust collecting or to keep scraping that is the question...

 

[rodmoe]

I took mine out the before the first winter as I worried about it getting loaded with ice and salt slime then acting like a sponge holding the crud till it drooped and started to rub. to be honest I don't miss them but as you may know the ST is now mostly a track rat sunshine car..

 

[C. love]

mine rubbed through too at a few points. I personally dismissed it as the holes are small enough (50 cent piece size) it wont allow much sludge in. In addition Im pretty anal about cleaning the living crap out of my wheel wells.

I have run cars with zero liner but they do help in keeping areas clean and in the end rust free. So on my almost daily and beloved ST they are staying