With all your knowledge, you still don't realize the wheel arch liners help keep water and debris out of the engine compartment?
Sorry for the sarcasm, but yes, that's something about which you need to be wary. You'd be inviting a host of electrical problems, even a cracked block if you got a healthy splash of cold water in just the right spot. Packing the engine compartment with snow is another fun image...
You could yank out the liners, but then I'd advise against driving on wet/snowy roads or through puddles. Look for the "witness marks" to see exactly where you're rubbing. You might be able to re-shape the liners with heat, or you might find that a camber correction would help. Or better yet, you might find that a more reasonable ride height will restore the functionality of your 'Tour.
