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Flap in front of rear tire

Clocked92

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Clocked92 Enthusiast

Clocked92

Posted
Posted

I have tried searching with very little luck because I'm not sure what to call this thing. I'm talking about the little plastic flap in front of the rear tires on a 2014 Sierra. I get that they are for the purpose of deflecting air around the rear tire for better mileage.

 

The issue I'm having is that with some gravel road driving, my flap is all cracked and broken because it's just cheap thin plastic. Does anyone have a solution, better design, idea to stop this or should I just take them off and live without them?

SilveradoSaver Senior Enthusiast

SilveradoSaver

Posted
Posted

I would probably take them off completely, or order a new set, have them Line-X or bed liner sprayed, and re-install. That should make them indestructible (within reason).

Clocked92 Enthusiast

Clocked92

Posted
  • Author
Posted

I would probably take them off completely, or order a new set, have them Line-X or bed liner sprayed, and re-install. That should make them indestructible (within reason).

 

I am considering taking off the plastic fender flares and getting them done in line-x so I might see what they look like after that. I already did Line-x on the rocker panels and bottom 4" of my doors which has helped with rocks quite a bit.

cbrsilv15 Senior Enthusiast

cbrsilv15

Posted
Posted

It's there for a reason. I would highly advise to NOT take it off. If it cracked from road debris, you're gonna have bodywork and paint required if you take them off. Just cheap plastic, but it serves a purpose. Replace with stock plastic piece and either install it plain or have it line-x'd like mentioned.

muddkatt Senior Enthusiast

muddkatt

Posted
Posted

It's there for a reason. I would highly advise to NOT take it off. If it cracked from road debris, you're gonna have bodywork and paint required if you take them off. Just cheap plastic, but it serves a purpose. Replace with stock plastic piece and either install it plain or have it line-x'd like mentioned.

^^^ X2

smrr1 Senior Enthusiast

smrr1

Posted
Posted

I have owned a 14 and a 15 and took them off both, did not care for the way they looked.

tnchevy Senior Enthusiast

tnchevy

Posted
Posted

They are not there to protect anything but for aerodynamics, so do what you feel you have to but they are not needed.

Donstar Senior Enthusiast

Donstar

Posted
Posted

I like the idea of line-x on a replacement piece. Whether its purpose is for aerodynamics, appearance or protection it still takes a beating from the rocks! This is a lot easier fix than body work.

Clocked92 Enthusiast

Clocked92

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Just to clarify, I'm only talking about the little deflector (item #7) in the above linked diagrams. It's separate from the existing black plastic fender well mouldings which I would keep.

vonshep Enthusiast

vonshep

Posted
Posted

its for aerodynamics around the wheel its not nessary you may lose .000245785 mpg and over the life of the truck that could cost upward of $6

GMC-AT Senior Enthusiast

GMC-AT

Posted
Posted

Remember all these little MPG tricks add up. Front valances that drag the ground, awful drivability, AFM, Etc I personally could care less about MPG. But, there are a lot of truck buyers that could care less about brand, and only buy based on the best MPG.

 

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