TMC is an independent, primarily volunteer organization that relies on ad revenue to cover its operating costs. Please consider whitelisting TMC on your ad blocker and becoming a Supporting Member. For more info: Support TMC
  1. TMC is currently READ ONLY.
    Click here for more info.

Why a Y Needs Mud Guards/Flaps

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

  1. Modulus1

    Modulus1 Member

    Joined:
    Nov 20, 2020
    Messages:
    65
    Location:
    Ohio
    It's a belt vs. suspenders situation, but no one is making good suspenders yet. (See what I did there?) :p
    It is the OP, after all, showing a picture of PPF.
     
  2. Freewheeler

    Freewheeler Vendor

    Joined:
    May 22, 2020
    Messages:
    141
    Location:
    New York
    Seems to me a solution is a bit of both. Pebbles that hit the flap will still drop and bounce and fly rearward. Will flaps help? Absolutely, But will damage still occur on the lower rear door? I suspect so, albeit more slowly. I think the solution is for flaps plus PPF for at least the lower section of the rear doors. Most luxury cars with flared rear fenders I can think of offhand have this, while some have front flaps depending on their wheel well profile and whether they need them.
     
  3. bbmertz

    bbmertz Model Y

    Joined:
    Mar 23, 2012
    Messages:
    338
    Location:
    North Carolina
    Too bad RPM doesn’t make them for the MY yet. Wonder if the M3 mudflaps would fit.
     
  4. NY_Rob

    NY_Rob Member

    Joined:
    Feb 13, 2020
    Messages:
    733
    Location:
    Long Island
    M3 flaps don't fit the MY.. it's been tried.
     
  5. NY_Rob

    NY_Rob Member

    Joined:
    Feb 13, 2020
    Messages:
    733
    Location:
    Long Island
    Anyone got a big 3D printer? :D
     
    • Like x 1
  6. Freewheeler

    Freewheeler Vendor

    Joined:
    May 22, 2020
    Messages:
    141
    Location:
    New York
    My sister is an engineer who designs and fabricates parts all the time. The easy part is designing the thing and making a prototype. The problem is as soon as you send the design "overseas" for molds to be made and fabricated at volume, the same part starts getting sold online under different companies before yours does. She has to do prototypes domestically for this reason, but they're one-offs for so cost isn't an issue. I'd be willing to spend the $10K or so for molds + whatever is needed for volume production but not if someone else is going to leak the design first.

    I've got something in mind I'll be working on through the holidays as proof of concept. Would be very easy to fabricate domestically and not look like elephant ears.
     
    • Like x 3
  7. NY_Rob

    NY_Rob Member

    Joined:
    Feb 13, 2020
    Messages:
    733
    Location:
    Long Island
    ^ sweet!

    Yeah, IP and design theft is not even an issue in China... they see something they think will sell and bam.. it's being mass produced.

    My 3D printer (Creality CR-6 SE) can do up to 235x235x250mm build, so if anyone wants to design something in cad/sketchup- I can slice in in Cura and do a prototype in PLA or PETG.
     
    • Like x 1
  8. NY_Rob

    NY_Rob Member

    Joined:
    Feb 13, 2020
    Messages:
    733
    Location:
    Long Island
    Maybe a Kickstarter project?
     
  9. jcanoe

    jcanoe Active Member

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2020
    Messages:
    1,157
    Location:
    Maryland
    I reached out to Tesmanian recently regarding producing mudflaps for the Model Y. In their reply to me Tesmanian stated that they already have mudflaps for the Y on their list of to be developed products. Tesmanian also stated that the from design to production of a new product such as mudflaps could take 90+ days.

    Hopefully, by next summer, there will be several new Model Y mudflap offerings available from a number of suppliers.
     
  10. Freewheeler

    Freewheeler Vendor

    Joined:
    May 22, 2020
    Messages:
    141
    Location:
    New York
    Hadn't thought about that! Love Kickstarter. Doesn't solve the issue of IP being stolen, but something has to be done!
     
    • Like x 1
  11. DanDi58

    DanDi58 Member

    Joined:
    Jun 22, 2020
    Messages:
    565
    Location:
    Dayton NJ
    Looks like you haven't finished setting up the website, at least according to the link above....
     
  12. jcanoe

    jcanoe Active Member

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2020
    Messages:
    1,157
    Location:
    Maryland
    The link did work at one time; maybe check back in a day or so.
     
  13. Freewheeler

    Freewheeler Vendor

    Joined:
    May 22, 2020
    Messages:
    141
    Location:
    New York
    Just so you know, TMC flagged me because I've been offering DIY PPF kits to protect the lower section of the rear doors. I had to enter a vendor status with associated costs, hence the icon below my avatar. Totally reasonable guys but they'll take down your posts until you come to an agreement. You might want to reach out to them, but up to you.
     
  14. Midnightsun

    Midnightsun Member

    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2020
    Messages:
    258
    Location:
    Canada
    Lower section of the rear doors is not enough. Just look at the picture on post #1 of this thread. What do you see on the lower part of the front doors?
     
  15. RedRocket83

    RedRocket83 Member

    Joined:
    Nov 23, 2020
    Messages:
    15
    Location:
    NH
    I had one hole in the back that was misaligned and used a drywall anchor and screw. Still holding like a champ.
     
  16. stephen503

    stephen503 Member

    Joined:
    Apr 18, 2019
    Messages:
    46
    Location:
    Portland, Oregon
    Is the other side of the hole pretty accessible if/when you want to remove the mud flaps and retrieve the anchor?
     
  17. richyrich

    richyrich Member

    Joined:
    Apr 13, 2018
    Messages:
    759
    Location:
    Ottawa
    Most of us have yet to find a mudflap we like - there are only a couple around and some or all of price/style/availability are problems for may people. In the meantime, PPF on the lower part of the rear doors is a good idea as most of the spray from the front wheels hits there and can cause pitting. It's cheap and easier than fixing paint.
     
  18. T3forMe

    T3forMe Member

    Joined:
    Jul 12, 2018
    Messages:
    38
    Location:
    Los Angeles
    #118 T3forMe, Dec 23, 2020
    Last edited: Dec 23, 2020
    I bought some mud flaps on Amazon about 6 months ago. I'm not sure if the brand can be stated her, but the name has some of the letters shown: Fa****a. It took me about 30 minutes to install all four flaps. The rear rivet was definitely the hardest to push in place. I had to use a piece of 1"x2", levered off of the rear tire, to get it to seat. These flaps required no drilling and fit my model 3 perfectly. I no longer have dirt and road grease buildup on the lower panels behind the front and rear tires. I liked them enough to buy another set for my son. The price was around $35 for the set of four.

    I'm not sure if Fa****a makes mud flaps for the model Y.
     
  19. RedRocket83

    RedRocket83 Member

    Joined:
    Nov 23, 2020
    Messages:
    15
    Location:
    NH
    I would just back put the screw a little and pull out the screw that is attached to the anchor. I would not need to be able to access it from the back side of the hole, if that is what you are asking.
     
  20. stephen503

    stephen503 Member

    Joined:
    Apr 18, 2019
    Messages:
    46
    Location:
    Portland, Oregon
    Im just wondering what would happen to the anchor when the mudflaps are removed, since I’d imagine the anchor would drop down and rattle around if it can’t be retrieved.
     

Share This Page

  • About Us

    Formed in 2006, Tesla Motors Club (TMC) was the first independent online Tesla community. Today it remains the largest and most dynamic community of Tesla enthusiasts. Learn more.
  • Do you value your experience at TMC? Consider becoming a Supporting Member of Tesla Motors Club. As a thank you for your contribution, you'll get nearly no ads in the Community and Groups sections. Additional perks are available depending on the level of contribution. Please visit the Account Upgrades page for more details.


    SUPPORT TMC