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Why a Y Needs Mud Guards/Flaps

Discussion in 'Model Y' started by Midnightsun, Dec 9, 2020.

  1. Midnightsun

    Midnightsun Member

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    #81 Midnightsun, Dec 19, 2020
    Last edited: Dec 19, 2020
    Lost my car for a couple of days ( had to drive the Mercedes, OH the horror! :eek:) as I had the entire front end done with Expel including lights, fog lights, mirrors fenders and hood. Where I live, salt & gravel are in use probably 5 months of the year so our PPF installers are very familiar with what should be protected. They recommended doing the lower portion of both doors below the crease between the front wheel well and rear wheel well which I also had them do. Bottom line is with the flaps and PPF I should be as protected as one needs to be. :cool:

    Why the PPF? I already had multiple nicks on the very fragile paint Tesla uses so I figured the entire front end would look like crap before winter was over. This is not a Tesla only thing. Had the Mercedes done, A previous Genesis, the Ridgeline and my wife's previous car. Just way too much junk being thrown up from other cars in front while travelling the autoroutes at higher speeds.

    I tried shining a flashlight from the top which worked out pretty good in order to see where it was applied. The line is clearly visible near the rear wheel, this extends to the front wheel as mention following the crease in the door panels.

    [​IMG]
     
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    • Helpful x 1
  2. HeyEph

    HeyEph Member

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    I did the same, but just on the back doors.
     
  3. Ezmendriz

    Ezmendriz Member

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    Did anyone received the Ebay ones yet? Photos?
     
  4. Hamtaro7

    Hamtaro7 Member

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    I just received my EvMudflaps and am having such a hard time getting in the clips on both back wheel wells. I was able to use a hammer to get the clips in the front but I don’t have enough clearance to use a hammer in the back, could anyone chime in how they managed to get the clips in thanks.
     
  5. Midnightsun

    Midnightsun Member

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    The rear holes and underlying plastic are far apart and not aligned well from the factory so it was next to impossible to remove let alone insert the supplied push pins. I ended up putting in rivets because I also had the same issue as you. The front ones were not an issue. This was only the case for the 2 most outer OEM attachments on both sides at the rear. Thought my car was built a little off in this area but obviously there are others.
     
  6. Hamtaro7

    Hamtaro7 Member

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    #86 Hamtaro7, Dec 20, 2020
    Last edited: Dec 20, 2020
    hey thanks for replying , yeah the mud flap bends a lot it’s not flush at all, could you link me what rivers and screws you used thanks. Also is there any way to use the Tesla rivers or would they be too short thanks.
     
  7. Plan B

    Plan B Active Member

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    Is that high enough towards the back?
     
  8. MrWattson

    MrWattson Member

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    Just did PPF too on the front...and included the lower rear portion of the rear doors
     
  9. Midnightsun

    Midnightsun Member

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    With mud guards I would think so. Without probably not. Again, this car needs mud flaps badly!
     
  10. Midnightsun

    Midnightsun Member

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    #90 Midnightsun, Dec 21, 2020
    Last edited: Dec 21, 2020
    Sorry, dug into my box containing multiple rivet sizes and basically chose one with a larger head and body diameter which would fit the OEM push pin hole. Saw that I was running low so I ordered another batch. I had ordered this a few years back which is where I got the rivets I used. https://www.amazon.com/Keadic-Plastic-Assorted-Automotive-Applications/dp/B08CRJ4M4V/ref=sr_1_17?dchild=1&keywords=nylon+rivet+kit&qid=1608544007&sr=8-17
     
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  11. HeyEph

    HeyEph Member

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    I did. They are hard plastic and don't seem to fit. Not pleased. Seller says they are updating it...
     
    • Informative x 3
  12. patnshan

    patnshan Member

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    Thanks for the info. Glad they cancelled mine. I simply cannot understand why someone isn't on this. It cant be that tough to fashion some molded mud flaps that look better than ones cut out of construction paper like the Canadian ones.
     
    • Like x 1
  13. Ezmendriz

    Ezmendriz Member

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    oh well, thanks for the info. I am still surprise neither of the solutions is good looking and functional. some seem to be more functional than others, but not pleasant to the eye.
     
  14. RocDeef

    RocDeef Member

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    Did you heat the clips first? The installations youtube video shows them heating them before installing them to make the go in easier
     
  15. Hamtaro7

    Hamtaro7 Member

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    Yeah tried heating them and it was nearly impossible to push them in.
     
  16. JasontheBeaver

    JasontheBeaver Jason Barker

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    This video might help you DIY guys installing RPM mudflaps.
     
  17. low2500

    low2500 Member

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    I tried two sets of white flaps from Amazon and none of them works. They don't flush with the curve of the body. The holes also do not align with the factory holes. Let us know if you come across one that actually fits.
     
  18. laughMan

    laughMan Member

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    does the mud flap affect the range since it create more drag?
    has anymore measure it?? is it 5%? 10%?

    if it is too much of range lost, PPF maybe a better way to go....
     
  19. Midnightsun

    Midnightsun Member

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    I cannot see them creating enough drag to reduce the overall milage and if it did it would probably not even be measurable. It's like removing the spare tire which is done in many cars today. They say it's to reduce weight to gain MPG however we all know the reason is to save a bunch of money and ride the ECO excuse wave.
     
    • Like x 3
  20. steinbej

    steinbej Member

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    PPF? What are you guys talking about? Subject says mudflaps, yet I see no mudflap in the picture supplied.
     

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