Terrafirma Flares

[nugge t]

Bought a set of Terrafirma extended flares to cater for my wider tyres.

Started to fit them tonight and found that the material around the srew holes is so thin, the screw head pulled straight through.

On checking they are all pretty much the same.This section actually needs to be the strongest not the weakest. I reckon they will be flat out holding on the highway let alone offroad.

Will speak with the company I bought them from tomorrow but just wondered if anyone has had a similar experience??

I easily pushed this in with my finger and the material is also very thin all over the "bottom" of the leg which takes the pressure of the screw head. Rather than pull in the flare tight on the guard, the material bows.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/12/1379.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/12/1380.jpg

[inside]

From what I understand Flatdog is the place to go. Flatdog UK Ltd (http://www.flatdoguk.com/flexi.htm)

[nugge t]

Would not be surprised if they are the same manufacturer. They do not have any identification numbers or brand on them so different companies could easily sell them as their own. They do a drive over test to show how strong they are but that is not the weakness. They look hauntingly the same to me but I could be wrong.

Be interesting what the company I bought them from say today.

[nugge t]

Spoke with the company I bought them from this morning and ha da couple of answers:-

1. Yeah we noticed that on a couple of pair we fitted.
2. Others in stock appear to be the same.
3. A customer who fitted them and does a lot of off-road hasn't had a problem.
4. They don't fit as well as the originals

Most concerning was that they acknowledged that the flares really don't pull up all that well on the guards and that they got some "minor" gaps and scalloping between the securing points.

Those warning before I bought them would have been nice. In fairness they did offer to take them back but having drilled holes in my guard before the problem became apparent doesn't make that, all that viable.

My only option now is to do away with the supplied fixings and to source some larger head stainless wahers and srews and try to increase the bearing area.

My product rating would be ....3/10 for what easily should be a 10/10....approach with great caution and then find another solution.

[nugge t]

Contacted Terrafirma direct and got an over night reply. They contacted their supplier who acknowledged there had been a problem which was now rectified and offered to swap them over.

Can not fault that for customer service.

[nugge t]

Terrafirma were happy for me to fit the flares to keep me legal whilst the replacements are being sent.

It is a shame that they don't include a drilling template in the kit as this would make fitting about 100 times easier and more accurate...a bit like what the snorkel guys do would have been good.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/12/1300.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/12/1301.jpg

I did away with the scrrews and plastic cover caps supplied with the kit and used stainless screws and larger washers to over come the thin material around the fixing points.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/12/1302.jpg

I did play around some more after taking the pics straightening up the rubber trim but I wouldn't say that you get a as straight and neat finish as I would have hoped.

[lokka]

I brought my set direct from flat dog tho havent had the time to fit them so i will comment on them when i go to fit them and i was going to use larger pan head screws and washers also as the supplyed items are way to long and way to small in gauge/diameter .

[LowRanger]

I went to fit my Flatdog flares yesterday,and whilst I couldn't push the mounting surfaces in with my finger,they actually seemed quite solid.
When I tried to do some of them up to the point of bringing the mating surface up to the guard,the screws pulled through the plastic:mad:
Not happy.Also with the wagon,I found that the top 3 screws for the rear go through the body and into the rear cargo area just above the rear wheel well.
If I tried to lower the flare,it would have meant that the lower front screw would have been too low and fouled on the sliders,or on the sill panel on a standard vehicle.
This was something that I hadn't heard anyone else comment on.So I will have to go out tomorrow on my day off and try and get some screws and small stainless panel washers to fit these up with,and then seal around the screws that go into the rear cargo area.

Wayne

[nugge t]

Sounds like they all come out of the same mould! I am still waiting for my replacements from British Offroad but I am going to fit them with spacers which I think will give a neater line.

[LowRanger]

Sounds like they all come out of the same mould! I am still waiting for my replacements from British Offroad but I am going to fit them with spacers which I think will give a neater line.

I had a similar thought,and the more I look at them,the more I think that the lip that the rubber seal sits on is too wide.I think if I remove 3-4mm from that lip it should then be fine.

Wayne

[nugge t]

I have a rod of polyurethane which I am going to par off as spacers. When I fitted mine it really looks like it needs different size spacers at different positions to let them sit evenly.

Trimming the lip might do the trick as well. I will have a bit of time to think about it as my replacements are not arriving until March.

[Wal Rat]

Just received a set of flares from paddocks took only 4 days from order to door in the blue mountains. Have you cut the guards to give more clearance?

[LowRanger]

Just received a set of flares from paddocks took only 4 days from order to door in the blue mountains. Have you cut the guards to give more clearance?

I have a 2" lift and am running 35's without cutting the guards.

I suggest you put spacers between the flares and the body,otherwise you will run into the same problems,and the screws and plastic surround will pull through the plastic when you tighten it up fully.

Wayne

[Wal Rat]

Just fitted my flares after a bit of advice from Ben at KLR no problems used part of the old front flares to construct inner guards.Also fitted the discovery rim that they reset for me am very happy with the result.
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[LowRanger]

Just fitted my flares after a bit of advice from Ben at KLR no problems used part of the old front flares to construct inner guards.Also fitted the discovery rim that they reset for me am very happy with the result.
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Just looking at the way you have attached your flares,it looks like you have not tightened the screws right down till the plastic flange touches the body,as I can still see part of the screw between the plastic and body.Will be interesting to see if they work their way loose.I think that both Nugget and myself have tightened the screws down till the plastic flange on the flare touches the body,for added support.

Looks like you just need some tyres to put on those rims now,to make use of the flares

Wayne

[Wal Rat]

I tightened the screws down so the guards are very firm but first I coated the screws with Duralac a Anti corrosive jointing compound. It inhibits
electrolytic corrosion between dissimilar metals.The screws wont work loose and the holes won't get bigger due to corrosion.
I needed the guards even for the smaller tyres as the amount of offset on the rims so to increase the articulation.file:///C:/Users/Anne/Pictures/anew/2011-03-08/002sm.jpg

[nugge t]

Replacements have arrived. Will fit them up using spacers and see how we go.

[90]

I fitted some to my 90 couple of years ago. I had all the same issues described above when I fitted them. I hace Simex JT2 33". I haven't cut the panels yet as I don't have the balls.

I used black M8 allen head bolts with washers and nyloc nuts. I didn't do them up so tight it pulled the bolted part of the guard onto the panel, just enough to get the lip to touch the panel. With the nyloc they never came undone or loose.

I didn't use the plastic/rubber trim, I think it looks better without.

The upper three bolts on the rear into the interior isn't good, but after 2 years it is irrelevant.

Also my fuel filler is in the lower panel and the rear guard laps over the filler looking not too flash.

I have been considering plugging the gap in the filler with checker plate, but it would probably look dumb.

Also, I have been considering putting a bead of black mastic inside to seal the gap betwen guard and panel. If I could get it neat on the outside I think it would hide the little gaps between the guard and panel (which are probably due to bent panel as much as wonky guard).

The guards lasted great, until a few weeks ago I drove over a fallen tree and a branch came up with the wheel and ripped both guards off on the passenger side. Both of them had the bolts pulled through the plastic.

I have tried to re-build the plastic. I tried to get ABS cement, but couldn't find any. If you can get it apparently you can slowly build up the plastic and re-drill it. Somebody told me the clear pvc cement you use to join pvc drainage pipes is the same as ABS cement. So I tried to use that. I also tried to add some fibreglass mat to further strengthen it. Also got told if you buy ABS plastic sheet you can dissolve it in acetone and m,ake a putty up to then use to rebuild the plastic.

In the end my repair worked in a bodged sense. The guards are back on and all good - but I reckon will not last so I ordered a new set of guards. I looked at another type with different mounting holes, but with the panels now drilled I thought I would stick with the ones I got (same as photos above).

With the new ones I reckon a packer between the bolt and panel behind the guard is the way to go (as suggested above), use M8 allen head bolts (google 'pro-bolt' - but they are cheaper elsewhere - try motorbike fairing shops) with washer and nyloc nuts - and get some bar work to protect the guards from sticks being thrown upwards.

Also the first set I drilled the bolt holes. I think I may melt the second set with a soldering iron or hot nail or rod the right size. The drilling seemed to twist the plastic and make any thin spots even weaker. I think melting the holes will stop this and also prevent any little rips or tears that could start a rip or crack.

[rar110]

I don't understand them making a flare of this quality, considering how inexpensive it would be to use enough plastic ro make the flare with sufficient strength.

[cal415]

I just baught some of these terrafirma flares at the expo yesterday, had a look at them last night and they are rubbish. The top line is badly warped between each screw hole and the overall feel of them is crap, i baught them already packaged and now i wish i had opened them when i did, i only looked at some already on a truck of the people from where i baught them.

I also have some other flares on my county, i dont know the brand etc and they are about 4 years old now but they look way better then the terrafirma ones by far, does anyone know where i can find some of these? Nugge_t did you ever get yours sorted out?

Heres a pic of the county flares.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2016/04/578.jpg

[Dusty1111]

These look like the White Tiger flares, from LR Automotive. Look to be superior quality but pretty pricey. It appears they incorporate the existing wheel arches.

[EEZZ]

I just baught some of these terrafirma flares at the expo yesterday, had a look at them last night and they are rubbish. The top line is badly warped between each screw hole and the overall feel of them is crap, i baught them already packaged and now i wish i had opened them when i did, i only looked at some already on a truck of the people from where i baught them.

I also have some other flares on my county, i dont know the brand etc and they are about 4 years old now but they look way better then the terrafirma ones by far, does anyone know where i can find some of these? Nugge_t did you ever get yours sorted out?

Heres a pic of the county flares.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2016/04/578.jpg
im Trying to PM you Cal, but your inbox is full,
Thanks, Ryan.