As a car enthusiast or owner, it is prudent to know about your vehicle parts. Among the most confusing parts are the fender and bumper. They perform the same function but are very different in their performance scope. It brings us to the fender vs. bumper discussion.
What do they do, where are they located? These are some of the questions we will answer in this article to show you their variance.
What Is A Fender Of A Car?
We start the discussion by looking at the fender, which is the part that covers the wheel. On older vehicle models, the fender, mostly the frontal ones, were more pronounced. In new vehicles, it appears flat, complementing the car’s frame.
The primary role of this car part is to prevent projectiles from rotating tires. As the tire moves, it grabs and throws material like rocks, mud, dust, and water. This may cause accidents or a mess to surrounding areas or even people.
The fenders’ design draws much influence to the vehicle styling. For instance, the early vehicles had bolt-on fenders that protruded from the vehicle’s body. This may explain why they go by wings in British English.
During the 1950s, cars started sporting a long welded-on fender extending from the front to back. It acted as both the frontal and rear fender. Presently, cars have individual fenders for both front and rear wheels.
What is a fender on a bike? On bikes, you find a similar structure, commonly known as the mudguard. It is identical to the fender, as it covers the wheels and guards the rider and others against water, mud, and dust sprayed on by the moving tires.
This car part features many materials. Some are metallic, while others are high-quality plastic builds, such as ABS.
Pros of a Fender
The fender is an essential part of the car, playing a role in protecting the body. The projectiles from the tires, like stuck rocks, can do a number on the body if ejected. The fender acts as a shield to both the car and other road users.
Additionally, the vehicle won’t be very messy, as this part covers the car from mud and dust sprayed by the tires. If properly fit, they uphold the vehicle’s aesthetic appeal.
Cons of a Fender
If the fender is not correctly set, it may downgrade the car’s aesthetic appeal. It is evident when you have protruding fenders with a color that does not match the body. According to auto pundits, the oversized fenders may affect the car’s aerodynamics, bringing on high resistance when at high speeds. It may lead to instability.
If lowly set, the fender may scrap the ground or brush against the wheels. This action may be noisy when driving.
What Is The Bumper Of A Car?
A bumper is a structure attached to the frontal and rear parts of the car. Its primary purpose is to absorb minor impact, reducing damage to the vehicle upon collision. They appeared early in automobile technology, though they were initially for decorative purposes.
Over time, engineers saw their significance in preventing vehicular damage upon an accident. With further improvements on their design, they are presently more than a decorative accessory. The other purpose of this part is to deal with height mismatches. Furthermore, they protect pedestrians from severe injury in case of an accident.
Common bumper materials include aluminum, heavy-duty plastic, and rubber. Bullbar vs. bumper, what is the difference? We cannot talk about the bumper without talking about the bullbar. It also goes by push bumper, grille guard, or cattle pusher and rammer in some areas. It has the same role as the bumper, which is the reduction of damage to the frontal area in the event of a collision.
The downside with a bullbar is that it causes much damage to the other vehicle in case of a crash. Moreover, it causes severe injuries to pedestrians due to its sturdiness. In some countries, bullbars are illegal.
Pros of A Bumper
Among the many advantages of a bumper is its protective role in collisions. It shields the car from extensive damage by absorbing much of the impact. It also protects pedestrians and other road users from serious injury if hit. This component enhances the look of the vehicle. In sports and muscle cars, the bumper design gives the car an edge of masculinity.
Cons of a bumper
One of the cons of a car bumper is lowering a vehicle’s aesthetic appeal when wrongly fixed. Heavy bumpers, like a bullbar, can affect car weight. It may lead to poor handling.
What Is The Difference Between Fender and Bumper?
A look at bumper vs. fender differences helps you understand their functionality. Both of them offer to shield the properties of the car. The bumper covers the vehicle’s front and rear parts, protecting parts like the engine from damage upon a collision. It absorbs much of the impact, lessening the damage.
On the other hand, fenders shield the car from projectiles coming from the wheel’s rotation. The projectiles can be rocks, dust, water, and mud. As such, the body is less prone to damage and getting messy.
While the bumper covers the entire frontal and rear edges, the fender caps the tires. Some fender designs extend from the front to the rear wheels. You will notice such in vintage cars, especially those from the 50s and 60s.
Fender vs. Bumper Boat
Fenders and bumpers are not only restricted to automobiles. They are also present in boating, albeit in a slightly different application. Boat fenders are cushions that hang on the side of the boat. Their primary role is to protect the boat’s frame from impact when touching the dock or when in contact with other boats. Due to their protective nature, they also go by bumpers.
For their efficiency, their design targets high energy absorption and low reaction. They mainly feature rubber, plastic, or foam as their construction material. The material of choice depends on factors like vessel displacement and tidal variations.
They also come in various shapes and sizes, where you get bulbous and flatboat fenders, among many more. You have to secure them using boat fender hangers.
Boat bumpers likewise prevent the boat’s body from damaged when docked. Unlike boat fenders, you tire boat bumpers to the dock. As such, when it hits the dock, the bumpers cushion it.
In summary, you attach the boat fender to the boat, whereas you fix the boat bumper to the dock or immovable structure.
Fender vs. Quarter Panel
The quarter panel is the same as the fender, only that it covers the rear wheels. It extends from the back door to the trunk and covers the wheel well. In the United Kingdom, it goes by rear wing. This part’s material is mainly metal, like aluminum. However, some models sport fiberglass or carbon fiber.
Fender vs. quarter panel, what is the difference? They are the same component, with the fender going to the frontal area and the quarter panel going to the rear part. Most of the time, the front fender appears more pronounced than the quarter panel. The large size allows for free movement of the front wheels.
Looking at the quarter panel replacement cost, you realize that it is more costly than replacing a fender. Replacing a fender ranges from $20 to $1000, depending on factors like material, vehicle type, and mechanics. For a quarter panel, you will part with $30 to $1500, also dependent on the aforementioned factors.
Why Do American Cars Have Big Bumpers?
Most American cars manufactured in the 70s and 80s have oversized bumpers. This was a signature look that set them apart from cars manufactured from other regions like Europe. The reason for this feature was due to the US bumper regulations. The rules required this part to be robust enough to absorb impact at certain speeds.
For instance, the rear bumper had to withstand forces at 2.5 miles per hour, with the frontal one having a rate of 5 miles per hour. The main reason was to reduce damage from accidents and protect passengers from injury.
Are Fenders The Same As Bumpers?
Many people have a problem distinguishing fenders from bumpers. The two are different parts, though they have a similar use of protection. Fenders shield the tires, taking the impact from material thrown by spinning tires like rocks and dust. Bumpers protect the front and rear of the car from collisions. It absorbs the impact, safeguarding pedestrians, car engines, coolants, and occupants from the force.
Do I Need A Fender For My Car?
A fender is a crucial component of your car that covers the wheel wells. They act as a shield for the vehicle’s body against material the wheels may throw during rotation. It protects the frame from thrown stones, mud, and dust, damaging or making the car dirty.
Final Remarks
Fenders and bumpers are crucial car parts that you should not confuse. In this discussion, we look at each of them for clarity on their variations. Go through this piece for a better understanding and to improve your overall automotive knowledge.
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