front mud flaps

[Alpine]

I've been thinking about fitting front mudflaps, to prevent water/dirt getting behind the bottoms of the front wings and causing further rust.

I was thinking that if I could get some of the lightweight rubber ones (like the ones on rally cars) I could cut to size and secure them with self tapping screws through the wheel arch liner, which is hard rubber.

Has anyone had any similar thoughts? What do you think?

 

[Hilux]

I'm not sure it would benefit regarding water ingress.

The wheel throws up vast amounts of high velocity spray which is driven between the liner and the wing as it only abuts the wing and doesnt overlap it like modern cars.

Therefore unless you seal all the way around the arch (thereby making it impossible to remove the liner you are on a loser IMO)

I pondered this and bit the bullet, removed the arches, scraped away the old underseal that had failed, rust treated the wing bottoms (which had only minor surface rust) and Waxoyled the inner wing and especially the ledge at the wing bottom which holds the stones, dirt and subsequently water.

I am however going to make discreet mudflaps to prevent stone chipping at this point and along the car.

 

[sawood12]

There is a link to some discreet mudflaps on the link below.

http://www.porscheclubgbforum.com/tm.asp?m=97172&mpage=2&key=mud%2Cflaps

I would like to see something that replaces the small underwing trim on the turbo's and S2's that flares out and acts as a bit of a mud flap. Moreso to act as a deflector to prevent most of the water thrown up from the road from hitting the bottom corner of the wing. As Hilux says you can't do much about the water that works it's way through the inner wheelarch liner lip but you can protect the bottom of the wing better.

 

[Alpine]

Thanks for the link Scott. I remember this because it was actually my original post, when I had only had the car a few weeks and was first becoming worried about rust at the bottom of the front wings.

The ones in the link are small flaps which clip onto the metal edge of the wing. I agree that they would be a waste of time as, as Hilux says, the water would still get behind.

I had in mind getting a large square mudflap and screwing in place but overlapping the metal edge of the wing, so that it at least offers some protection from the worst of the water which is fired up from low down. I'm going to the classic car show at NEC at the weekend after next so if I see anything suitable and go ahead with it I'll let you know.

 

[Fen]

It's amazing how many names from that old thread have melted away in the intervening 19 months or so.

 

[sawood12]

What about squeezing some silicon bathroom sealant in the joint if you really want to waterproof the wheelarch liners? You are still going to get water up from the gaping hole from under the car which is where some type of mudflap will help. I'm actually a bit more concerned about the flat area behind the rear wheel arches - the bit the rear under-bumper trim bolts to. Mine is pebble-dashed with stone chips as it is completely exposed to whatever is thrown up from the wheels and is only a matter of time until it starts to corrode.

I know what you mean Fen - I spotted some names of people we havn't heard from in a long time. I fear that says more about us than it does of them though!

 

[944Turbo]

My drivers side wing has a hole because water got between the stone chip paint and the metalwork on the outside, I always kept the insides clean, but didn't get the stonechip/paint repaired soon enough where it gets a pounding.
Tony

 

[Hilux]

What about squeezing some silicon bathroom sealant in the joint if you really want to waterproof the wheelarch liners? You are still going to get water up from the gaping hole from under the car which is where some type of mudflap will help.

As I said before, if you havent checked the bottom arch ledge etc then I imagine there will be delaminated sealer, shot blasted lower wing edges and a load of of damp crud eating out the lower wing. Therefore forget all the unnecessary sealants, bite the bullet and remedy the actual problem. Water getting in there will then not be an issue.

ps: while your arches are off you can rust treat/waxoyl any corroded brake pipes on top of and from the ABS unit also []