Josh_WA
30th March 2011, 07:33 PM
Defender mud flaps tend to rip off every chance they get....So heres my Quick release solution to stop them ripping off when offroad. all up it takes about 30mins and costs less than $15
What you need:
8mm HSS drill bit ($5)
8 x 20mm M8 hex head bolts ($2.50)
8 x M8 Wingnuts ($2.50)
24 x 5/8" Mudguard washers (about $5)
spanners to get the brackets off and on if you have side steps.
I have used M8 bolts and fixings for my mod, however if you ever intend to replace the mud flaps with the standard rivnuts ( eg for selling it) then you must only use M6 as the holes for the rivnuts appear to be already drilled to 7mm ish and if you drill them out to 8mm you will need new brackets
Step 1:
Drill out the 3x original Rivnuts on each mudflap. Drill these from the small side as they will just pop out once you get 1/2 way through. remove mud flap from mount bracket. Drill out the holes in the mud flap to 8mm, drill out the holes in the bracket to 8mm. Repeat this for all 4 wheels.
http://img848.imageshack.us/img848/4184/step1.jpg
Step 2:
Replace the rivnuts with 20mm M8 bolts and mudguard washers between the bolt head and mud flap. do all 4 :D
http://img836.imageshack.us/img836/1962/step2h.jpg
Step 3:
I placed another washer between the mudflap and the mount (on the mount side) just because I think it makes it sit better on the mounting bracket. Add another mudguard washer between the rubber and the wing nut and then fix the wing nut up nice and tight. Dont forget a nice dose of nickel anti seize or similar. You will notice in the next photo that my mud flaps have has an extra 2" added to the sides to cover the wheels due to rims with extra offset.
http://img843.imageshack.us/img843/475/step3np.jpg
All four flaps can now be removed in less time than it takes to air down when going off-road and they can be replaced just as easily on the way home when pumping the tyres back up. Just remember that if you do not take them off for a while to check that they do not seize up.... also it would be a good idea to check them for tightness each time you do your normal vehicle checks.... No more broken mud flaps :cool::cool:
Enjoy.
Josh
What you need:
8mm HSS drill bit ($5)
8 x 20mm M8 hex head bolts ($2.50)
8 x M8 Wingnuts ($2.50)
24 x 5/8" Mudguard washers (about $5)
spanners to get the brackets off and on if you have side steps.
I have used M8 bolts and fixings for my mod, however if you ever intend to replace the mud flaps with the standard rivnuts ( eg for selling it) then you must only use M6 as the holes for the rivnuts appear to be already drilled to 7mm ish and if you drill them out to 8mm you will need new brackets
Step 1:
Drill out the 3x original Rivnuts on each mudflap. Drill these from the small side as they will just pop out once you get 1/2 way through. remove mud flap from mount bracket. Drill out the holes in the mud flap to 8mm, drill out the holes in the bracket to 8mm. Repeat this for all 4 wheels.
http://img848.imageshack.us/img848/4184/step1.jpg
Step 2:
Replace the rivnuts with 20mm M8 bolts and mudguard washers between the bolt head and mud flap. do all 4 :D
http://img836.imageshack.us/img836/1962/step2h.jpg
Step 3:
I placed another washer between the mudflap and the mount (on the mount side) just because I think it makes it sit better on the mounting bracket. Add another mudguard washer between the rubber and the wing nut and then fix the wing nut up nice and tight. Dont forget a nice dose of nickel anti seize or similar. You will notice in the next photo that my mud flaps have has an extra 2" added to the sides to cover the wheels due to rims with extra offset.
http://img843.imageshack.us/img843/475/step3np.jpg
All four flaps can now be removed in less time than it takes to air down when going off-road and they can be replaced just as easily on the way home when pumping the tyres back up. Just remember that if you do not take them off for a while to check that they do not seize up.... also it would be a good idea to check them for tightness each time you do your normal vehicle checks.... No more broken mud flaps :cool::cool:
Enjoy.
Josh