Huffer
12-30-2011, 01:22 PM
Tools:
Jack, jack stand and lug nut wrench
Power screwdriver (power drill with screwdriver adapter)
Foam mat for your knees
Patience
Time: 1-2hrs, more if you're like me and take ages making a decision
So you want mudflaps, but don't want to pay outrageous prices for custom fit ones, or even some of the pricier "Armor" styles?
No worries - the truck department at your local autostore has you covered. You need to buy TWO sets of flaps, any generic kind will work:
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/12/fa310816-1.jpg
This was a $9 set on sale, I bought two. These have self tapping screws that I used - you will note that I did not drill into any metal on the car, only the plastic body parts.
First step - you need to test out how the mudflap is going to hang on the car and how you will position the flaps. Being my first time doing this, I found it easier to have the wheels on the car while I made my decision (which took a long time!). When you finally go to do the install proper, you should take the wheels off because it makes installation a lot easier - particularly on the rear wheels.
This is a picture of the rear wheel well - I chose to attach the mudflap via FOUR (4) screws into the bumper. You could drill a hole into the mudflap and then use a push rivet (plastic) because there are push+screw plastic rivets holding various fender well & side skirt parts on but I wanted something more secure. You could do both.
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/12/27ecc6dd-1.jpg
And here is the mudflap installed on the rear:
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/12/49c912ff-1.jpg
This is a picture of the front driver's side wheel well - note that I have screwed into the side skirt, and NOT the fender.
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/12/d5089c8d-1.jpg
There is a slight 1/4" gap at the top of the side skirt and the mudflap, but it tapers away as you head up towards the securing point. For the top hole in the mudflap, I drilled a hole in the flap, and then reused the securing bolt on the car. It is long enough and pretty sturdy. On the middle of the flap I used two screws that go into the side skirt. In the summer, these holes can easily be covered with a push rivet.
Here is a view from the back of the car:
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/12/22758a17-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/12/021d1884-1.jpg
Hope this helps anyone else doing this - my install didn't go perfectly, on my passenger side rear I had the mudflap angled too far into the car when the wheel was on, so I had to take it off, and redrill the mudflap holes.
I'll update the thread with a full car shot when I get a moment.
Jack, jack stand and lug nut wrench
Power screwdriver (power drill with screwdriver adapter)
Foam mat for your knees
Patience
Time: 1-2hrs, more if you're like me and take ages making a decision
So you want mudflaps, but don't want to pay outrageous prices for custom fit ones, or even some of the pricier "Armor" styles?
No worries - the truck department at your local autostore has you covered. You need to buy TWO sets of flaps, any generic kind will work:
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/12/fa310816-1.jpg
This was a $9 set on sale, I bought two. These have self tapping screws that I used - you will note that I did not drill into any metal on the car, only the plastic body parts.
First step - you need to test out how the mudflap is going to hang on the car and how you will position the flaps. Being my first time doing this, I found it easier to have the wheels on the car while I made my decision (which took a long time!). When you finally go to do the install proper, you should take the wheels off because it makes installation a lot easier - particularly on the rear wheels.
This is a picture of the rear wheel well - I chose to attach the mudflap via FOUR (4) screws into the bumper. You could drill a hole into the mudflap and then use a push rivet (plastic) because there are push+screw plastic rivets holding various fender well & side skirt parts on but I wanted something more secure. You could do both.
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/12/27ecc6dd-1.jpg
And here is the mudflap installed on the rear:
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/12/49c912ff-1.jpg
This is a picture of the front driver's side wheel well - note that I have screwed into the side skirt, and NOT the fender.
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/12/d5089c8d-1.jpg
There is a slight 1/4" gap at the top of the side skirt and the mudflap, but it tapers away as you head up towards the securing point. For the top hole in the mudflap, I drilled a hole in the flap, and then reused the securing bolt on the car. It is long enough and pretty sturdy. On the middle of the flap I used two screws that go into the side skirt. In the summer, these holes can easily be covered with a push rivet.
Here is a view from the back of the car:
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/12/22758a17-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/12/021d1884-1.jpg
Hope this helps anyone else doing this - my install didn't go perfectly, on my passenger side rear I had the mudflap angled too far into the car when the wheel was on, so I had to take it off, and redrill the mudflap holes.
I'll update the thread with a full car shot when I get a moment.