Stone Guards

[bigbeds]

I bought the molded stone guards,(mud flaps) from my dealer, and the front wheel guards do not fit right. The back wheel flaps are OK.

OK The truck is a GMC Sierra SLE 2011 XCab 4x4.

There are 5 points to secure, the 4 metal screws running up thru the fender liner fit, it is the 1/2 inch body panel bolt under the truck that won't line up.

I plan on returning these, unless someone has a better idea.

So far..I trimmed the existing fender liner to fit under the new guards...the existing liner does not slide into the new guard slot as per the installation instructions.

The tab to accept the 1/2 bolt on the new flap is 1/4 to3/8 inch short of the existing hole and u-nut.

[armyman22]

Find and mark where the hole SHOULD be in the mud guard itself and drill it. My dad and I had to do this on his 2011 with the HUSKY mud guards. I don't know why they aren't made right unless the dimension spec given to the manufactures to make this was wrong.

[bigbeds]

Thanks, I figured as much, but, not gonna drill, I paid GM 50 dollars for these, They should fit, 4 out of 5 holes lined up perfect. I also saw what looked like a spot-weld in the area, I would likely be drilling.

U drill a hole and thats where the first rust will pop up, if u can, get back to that hole, clean it up and touch up any bare metal.

[topdj]

mine went on fine, I got the painted ones

[bigbeds]

mine went on fine, I got the painted ones

I will check that out, thanks...I will see the dealer this saturday

[armyman22]

Thanks, I figured as much, but, not gonna drill, I paid GM 50 dollars for these, They should fit, 4 out of 5 holes lined up perfect. I also saw what looked like a spot-weld in the area, I would likely be drilling.

U drill a hole and thats where the first rust will pop up, if u can, get back to that hole, clean it up and touch up any bare metal.

 

I didn;t mean drill a whole in the sheet metal, I meant in the guard itself to line up with the existing hole in the sheet metal. I agree, for $50 they should fit perfectly but unfortunately for some reason not all of them do.

[bigbeds]

I went to the dealer..and was assured I had the right ones. So I tried again..

The second attempt worked. These molded flaps are really tight against the truck now.

The trick is to start at the bottom, loosely connect the 1/2 inch bolt first under the flap...then while pushing very hard upwards and inwards..get the top screw, then the second etc. until all four screws are in, then tighten everything.

I pushed with all my might to get that second hole lined up...its almost a two person job...one pusher using both hands and someone to get the screws started