MudFlaps 2008+ (Hatch) DIY Fitting guide
 

Ok Ok OK, I had some OE Subaru mudflaps but didn't real like them, a bit stiff and very plasticy looking.

Having looked whats on offer I wasn't going to want to pay £150+ (by the time you add Import Tax + VAT, handling charges etc etc) to import Rally Armor mudflaps from the USA.

So I opted for the Performance Creations MudFlaps after seeing Hughy's (MY11 Saloon) car with them on.

http://www.performancecreations.co.u...range-50-c.asp

I went for this set and asked for smaller STi logos, which they did.
http://www.performancecreations.co.u...logo-144-p.asp

I said to Ian (from P-C) I'd do a Photo Guide fro ppl to fit to make it easier to understand than the basic instruction sent with the flaps.

FITTING TIME: I allowed all afternoon, I'd say give yourself at least 3 hrs. Fitting doesn't take the time it's more the jacking up and wheel removal and re fitting.

TOOLS NEEDED... 6mm plastic drill bit, cordless drill!!!. general tools for tightening nuts and bolts etc, screw drivers etc, hammer.


Here goes....... pic heavy.....


The brackets supplied with the MF are Stainless steel, so I didn't want that against the glossy flaps.
So I've etch primed them and gloss Black sprayed them (both sides) using HOLTS car paint @ £3.99 for a can. (3-4 coats of black and they look fine).

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e6...ps58a3256a.jpg
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e6...psce2d5251.jpg
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e6...ps28540c59.jpg


I thought I'd start on the rears.. thinking they would be easy to do.. ;)
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e6...ps532963d2.jpg

First off trolly jack up the car and remove the alloy, then remove the OE Subaru MF and the related clips for it.
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e6...ps247358ac.jpg
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e6...ps567ed607.jpg
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e6...ps9e3af175.jpg


Where the two metal screws holding the OE Mudflap where, are used for the NEW push in clips for the STi Mudflaps

Fix the support bar in the wheel arch (I used the hole the OE mudflap used), don't tighten up yet!!
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e6...ps5b57e998.jpg

Push the two plastic clips into the bracket before mounting against the mudflap
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e6...psbe46ce56.jpg

The two inner holes have the Nut&Bolt attached to the bracket and Mudflap,
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e6...ps11511269.jpg

The last Nut and Blot is also attached to the support bar (that's already attached to the inner wheel arch trim plastic).

Once all in place tighten all the Nut/Bots up.
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e6...psde424d4c.jpg
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e6...ps97ce9224.jpg

I added a coupke of drops of SuperGlue to the threads of the bolts once they were tightened.

When you've done that, bend the support bar to make a better fit.
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e6...ps4eb41ff7.jpg
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e6...ps846f21ac.jpg
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e6...ps1e3e0780.jpg

__________________________________________________ ___

FRONTS.. I thought were going to be a nightmare as they needed to be drilled. TBH they were easier than the rears.. and they weren't difficult :lol:


Again, jack the front up and remove the wheel, OE Mudflap as well
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e6...ps9c7a34a1.jpg
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e6...ps61e9cedc.jpg

Offer up the front bracket to the edge/platic trim like below,
If you get the inside part of the bracket against the inner part of the trim and the line evenly along the bottom edge, you'll have an even fitment.
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e6...ps2e8c2b69.jpg

Mark the bracket holes with a marker pen (so you know where to drill)
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e6...psbee3135a.jpg

drill the 4 holes using a 6mm Drill bit (use a drill bit for plastic!!) Only drill the outter plastic trim. Don't carry on to the plastic under neath!!
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e6...ps7be71d0a.jpg

Trim the ends off TWO of the Plastic clips, as they will be a bit too long for the two top holes you've drilled.
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e6...ps9c2860eb.jpg

Attach the 4 plastic 6mm clips to the bracket then fit that to the MF (the two shorter clips go on the outside top two holes).
Make sure you press the flap well up against the bracket to make it snug. I used a flat head screw driver to ease it onto the clip better.
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e6...pse2248e4d.jpg

Then firmly press each clip in the holes you've drilled. I also carefully tapped them in using a hammer and using the soft plastic end of a screwdriver as a protective tapping block.
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e6...psf6ac53eb.jpg

Done!!
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e6...psde769b33.jpg
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e6...ps104cade6.jpg





Thanks for looking :)

Looking sweet Phil, are they not a bit low ?? Or are the pictures deceiving.

may be the pix.. as I had to shift a bit of gravel to get teh jack under securely.

But they are at the correct hight for the holes PRE DRILLED in the flaps.
The hight of the rears is pre determined by the holes in the rear bumper.
The hight of the fronts is governed by the last/bottom holes in the bracket .. keeping on the plastic trim of the side skirt.

Did offer them up at various hights but they didn't look right nor would they have fitted as easy ;)