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Bushwacker OE Fender Flares... concerned about drillering holes

gman2015

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gman2015 Enthusiast

gman2015

Posted
Posted

I'm looking at the OE version of Bushwacker Fender Flares for my Silverado. Anyone have any experiences with the long-term effect of drilling holes in your fenders to mount these? Is rustproofing the hole after drilling and using plastic fasteners the only way to go?

 

Here is a link to it... http://www.bushwacker.com/fender-flares/chevrolet-oe-style-fender-flare-set-of-4-oe-matte-black-40956-02

15slvrDbl Enthusiast

15slvrDbl

Posted
Posted

Personally I'd go with another brand with a no drill option. I believe the gm accessory flares don't require drilling. But i only installed one set for a customer so i could be wrong. If dead set on those flares mock it up drill the holes. Use etch primer on the holes. Then dab the hole with some silicone sealant put a light coat on the screw threads as well then assemble.

Victor Ferreira Enthusiast

Victor Ferreira

Posted
Posted

The Bushwacker flares mount to the wheel well, in the holes you use for the mud flaps. If you have to drill any holes, it'll be the holes where you would mount the OEM mud flaps.

 

You don't ever actually drill into the fender.

aczr2k Enthusiast

aczr2k

Posted
Posted

I ordered a set of those this summer and returned them. I didn't like the way they fit and they were made with hard plastic not urethane. And you did have to drill holes in the fender lip. I've never seen any GM accessory ones. I like the way GMC did the plastic lip, my wheel wells are all chipped to crap from having no protection. It would have the protection film on it but it just doesn't curve well in multi directions.

aczr2k Enthusiast

aczr2k

Posted
Posted

Yeah I have seen those, they are aftermarket sold through GM, and are ugly.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

magstar67 Enthusiast

magstar67

Posted
Posted

I have the Bushwacker OE Style flares, they do require drilling. I think any will as there are no existing holes in the fenders like there were in previous generation GM trucks.

gman2015 Enthusiast

gman2015

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Thanks all for your replies. The OE version from Bushwacker does require you to drill holes... and that is the issue. On my 2015 Silverado... there are no pre-drilled holes to use, other than the ones for the mudflaps. I'd have to drill them. I just think this will expose the sheet metal to the elements and create fast rust (don't forget I live in MN). Also... I see that most of the GMC 1500 models do have fender flares, and I'm not sure how they are mounted... but the sheet metal itself is very different that the Chevy's, and is formed to allow those flares to wrap around the flare. Given this... there is no way a stock GMC OE fender flare will fit a Chevy.

  • 1 year later...
15_silverado Enthusiast

15_silverado

Posted
Posted

Does anyone have a picture of the bushwacker OE style flares on a 2016-2017 Silverado. I can't find any good pictures for the newer trucks with the OE flares.

Thanks.

Thomcat Senior Enthusiast

Thomcat

Posted
Posted

2017/2017 have an OEM set of custom flares that attach under the fender with screws, but the part on the fender is sealed and attached with 3M tape along the perimeter. No additional holes in the side of the fender or areas where dirt or salt can get in to promote rust.

 

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