I have a problem where this thing (splash guard) keep coming off. Sometimes from bumps, other times from snow kicking up. I have had it to the shop for repair and it just came off again (after about 2 weeks).

When I look at it, it appears the screw that pushes out tabs is in all the way but the hole has enlarged so the tabs to not secure it properly all the time. I have though about using a bolt/nut combo. However, it seems like this part is designed to "rip off" as to not damage something else.

Does anyone have a problem with this thing coming off?

Does anyone have a suggested solutions (my dealer is an idiot)?

Can I go to some other shop for these warranty repairs?

Thanks all.

 

take them off? also, yes your dealer probably IS an idiot

when you say splashguard, do you mean like the tiny seemingly useless mudflaps that sometimes come on a car?

 

As far as I know the car doesn't come with splash guards. Do you have them installed as an option or you're talking about those factory installed pieces of plastic in front of the wheels to improve airflow? If you're talking about factory ones, I would take them out at least for the winter, all it takes is some chunk of ice and they will rip off and yes, they should be designed in a way so if you hit something, they break off easily, without reaping and damaging underneath the car. You should find some washers for larger support and install them in spring. Either way something keeps on reaping them off, for example if you park the car against the curb until the wheels actually touch it, a lot of curbs are high enough to interfere with those plastic pieces and that would rip them off as well. I don't think they make much difference anyway. In the winter you could have ice and snow breaking them off all the time and you can't do much about it, in summer driving too close against the curb is the only hazard I can think off and you can avoid that very easily by keeping distance.

 

Hi Katie and Peter....

Thanks for the comments. I could take them off but they seem to be designed to also keep snow and ice out of the frame. Not sure about this.

Also, yes, it is the snow causing it. I do not park by curbs.

As always, a picture is worth a thousand words so here are two images of what I am talking about.

I took these with my cell phone. The first is it just propped back in place until I get some tools. The second is what it looks like when it is off. Please don't make fun of my dirty car, it just snowed this morning.

(Click to see larger image...)





Thanks,
Mike

 

mikieboyblue — As I recall, some of the screws that hold the mudflaps on go into plastic "bosses" behind the fender panel, but some screw into a screw-hole in a U-shaped bent metal clip (sorry, I don't know the correct technical term for it!) that goes around the edge of the fender — this clip is thus on both the front and back of the fender panel. If the clip has fallen off, or if the screw isn't actually going through the hole in the clip (I had that problem with one of my mudflap screws — incorrectly applied when installed by the dealer?), it won't grip. You need to clean the area and have a look. I suggest you compare it with the other side's mudflap. You'll have to remove both to do so, however.

Stan

 

Is this thing a mudflap or splash guard as my dealer calls it? It is in front of the wheel well. I installed mudflaps (mud guards) myself and do know about the items you speak of.

If I remember correctly, there are some screws used during mud guard installation that simple push out tabs that lock with a hole. This appears to use the same type of construction.

Yes I will have to look at the other side. Of course without a garage, this is undesirable in the winter :-P

 

mikieboyblue — I probably used the wrong term. It's the ones behind the wheels that I'm referring to — splash guards, I guess. The small ones in front of the wheels are "fairings" or "spats" to control airflow into the wheel wells and reduce air resistance. And yes, winter makes this all more difficult!

Stan

 

Ok, with your words, I am speaking about the "fairings" or "spats" to control airflow. Air dams I guess. The pictures are from the front of the driver-side rear wheel well...they are a side view.

 

If I was you I would take them off for now, before they fall and get lost and play with them in the spring. Their main purpose is to improve airflow around the wheel well and in the conditions you're driving right now the airflow is the least of the problems. If you wanted to be really fancy, you could install them on the spring loaded hinges, so they move up, if they encounter too much resistance, otherwise they will keep on falling off in those snow/ice conditions. I guess they don't have such bad winters in Japan, my wiper blades got really messed up on my old Nissan at the first freezing rain/ heavy snow, they were too flimsy and I had to buy aftermarket wipers.
I have service manual, if you really don't feel like working on the car in this weather, but want to see how are they mounted I could look for the proper page and post it here.

 

Thanks Pete. I have the manual as well. I should find the pages dealing with this to see if I am missing any parts to it. I might be and the dealer might have not noticed (because they probably don't care much for warranty repairs).