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      05-05-2011, 12:47 PM   #1
lateshow
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Mud flap question

BMW installed my flaps, but they pull away about 1/8" way from the side of the car. There is adhesive tape there, but they won't hold. Is this something others have seen? They washed the car immediately after the install, so that could be the issue. Or, everyone's might look like this. Maybe I'm being overly picky?
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      05-05-2011, 02:09 PM   #2
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I installed my own. There is a very small gap (rears) but nowhere near 1/8 inch.
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      05-05-2011, 02:28 PM   #3
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Installed mine myself; zero gap. See my pics here:

http://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showth...ight=mud+flaps

Personally, for the labor they charge, I'd take it back in, but that's me.

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      05-05-2011, 02:43 PM   #4
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I'm having them take them off. They don't look good at all. This has taken forever today.

Last edited by lateshow; 05-05-2011 at 03:37 PM..
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      05-05-2011, 03:40 PM   #5
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They tried to get them tighter by taking them off and doing some fitting work. No dice. They looked good for 5 minutes, then the tape broke free and the gap was there again. I'm not sure if I got a bad set of flaps or a bad installer, but this isn't working. They said they wanted to put some epoxy on them....which I quickly said "um....no way."

They're going to take them off when I can get back there. I'm sure the wholes they made can be plugged with little difficulty. The whole thing was really time consuming and frustrating though.

Look into this on your own a little further if you decide to have these installed. I know other forum members have had better luck than me.
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      05-06-2011, 06:35 AM   #6
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I had the mud flaps installed yesterday too. The dealer said there was a problem with the back ones not fitting tightly. They showed me the problem and, sure enough, they were loose. Long story short, the dealer used a different pin/grommet combo which tightened them up and eliminated the problem. All it took was a little ingenuity.
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      05-06-2011, 06:42 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nick776 View Post
I had the mud flaps installed yesterday too. The dealer said there was a problem with the back ones not fitting tightly. They showed me the problem and, sure enough, they were loose. Long story short, the dealer used a different pin/grommet combo which tightened them up and eliminated the problem. All it took was a little ingenuity.
Any specifics on this would be greatly appreciated.
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      09-11-2011, 08:34 AM   #8
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I recently fitted mud flaps to my X3 and found that they didn't fit as well as I would have expected of OE BMW parts.

I fitted the fronts first, using the correct mounting holes and the tape that is fitted to the flaps and assumed (yes, I know!) that they would be a perfect fit However, in a very short time the tape pulled away from the wheel arch leaving a gap of maybe as much as a quarter of an inch!

Being aware of this when I fitted the rears I approached the task differently and made sure to correct any of the fixing points that pulled the flaps away from the wheel arch. I ended up having to use washers as spacers on the fixing under the car on the left side flap and on the right side I had to re-drill the mounting hole under the car. By doing this I was able to get the flaps to fit perfectly.

Now all I have to do is take off the front ones and refit them using the same approach.
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      09-11-2011, 08:40 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Humbug View Post
I recently fitted mud flaps to my X3 and found that they didn't fit as well as I would have expected of OE BMW parts.

I fitted the fronts first, using the correct mounting holes and the tape that is fitted to the flaps and assumed (yes, I know!) that they would be a perfect fit However, in a very short time the tape pulled away from the wheel arch leaving a gap of maybe as much as a quarter of an inch!

Being aware of this when I fitted the rears I approached the task differently and made sure to correct any of the fixing points that pulled the flaps away from the wheel arch. I ended up having to use washers as spacers on the fixing under the car on the left side flap and on the right side I had to re-drill the mounting hole under the car. By doing this I was able to get the flaps to fit perfectly.

Now all I have to do is take off the front ones and refit them using the same approach.
I have purchased a full set of mudflaps, and plan to self-fit once car arrives at end of Sept. Do you think a stronger adhesive in place of the tape would be fix the issue, or is the washer option the best and only solution?
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      09-11-2011, 08:52 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by VikingOne View Post
I have purchased a full set of mudflaps, and plan to self-fit once car arrives at end of Sept. Do you think a stronger adhesive in place of the tape would be fix the issue, or is the washer option the best and only solution?
Having fitted the rears myself I can confirm the tape is as good as a chocolate fireguard. I dont think the tape is even sticking but mine fit snugly and will do front when I get chance
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      09-11-2011, 08:54 AM   #11
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I have the same problem with the tape not holding as it should.
I’m waiting to see if there will be a re-design or some sort of TSB.

I’m amazed that a BMW part specifically designed for the F25 has such a poor fit.
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      09-11-2011, 09:46 AM   #12
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Those of you that did a self fit, did you need to remove the wheels?
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      09-11-2011, 09:48 AM   #13
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Since you paid the dealer to install them, and your problem seems to be an installment problem - I would tell the dealer that you want a new set installed, as the job is not satisfactory.
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      09-11-2011, 02:12 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by VikingOne View Post
Those of you that did a self fit, did you need to remove the wheels?
Not on rears (meant to be hardest) with the right tool it was a bit fiddly but easy enough
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      09-18-2011, 10:53 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BIMMER UK 76 View Post
Not on rears (meant to be hardest) with the right tool it was a bit fiddly but easy enough
what tool do u need to fit the mud flaps?
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      09-18-2011, 11:38 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cooldude00 View Post
what tool do u need to fit the mud flaps?
Used a ratchet screwdriver from Wilkos that cost less than a fiver (perfect for those hard to reach back screws and no need to take rears wheels off), plus also used small spanner.

Type in "Wilkos ratchet screwdriver" into google and it will pop up as first organic listing (13 in 1 tool with orange handle) - doubtfull the tool will be used again but cant complain at £4.97.
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