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I started hearing a strange grinding noise every time I turned left for the first time this morning. With images of bad wheel bearings, struts, bushings, and other very expensive parts dancing in my head, I took a look in the wheel well, and to my enormous relief, I saw a pair of vents, one in each front wheel well, where one of the louvers has broken and bent back into the path of the tire. Each time I turned the wheel, the plastic louver made contact with the tire and made the horrible noise. Here are photos of the vents:
It's easy enough to cut out the plastic piece sticking out of the vent, but do these vents have a real purpose and should I replace them? They look easy enough to replace, if I can get replacement parts.
Any thoughts?
Left Side

Right Side

It's easy enough to cut out the plastic piece sticking out of the vent, but do these vents have a real purpose and should I replace them? They look easy enough to replace, if I can get replacement parts.
Any thoughts?