Why are car mudflaps important?
The mudflaps (commonly referred to as mudguards, splash guards or tyre guards) are used to protect the car, pedestrians and other vehicles from mud, stones or other debris sent upwards due to the car’s moving tyres. The mudflap catches the debris as they are flying up, causing them to drop back to the ground rather than fly upwards and into the windscreen of following cars.
Additionally, mudflaps help to prevent dirt and grime reaching and chipping away paint on important parts of your car, especially underneath the car which is prone to rust and corrosion. This makes them important to your car’s health and cleanliness, especially if your vehicle is subject to constant off-road use. Debris such as gravel can also scrape your car’s paint job if the mud flap is missing/not working properly.
Mudflaps are usually made from rubber or a similar flexible material. They wrap around the bottom of your car’s wheel arches and vary in size and shape. This means that buying the right mudflaps for your car can be tricky.
Signs and symptoms of mudflap in need of replacement:
Incorrect installation can lead to a mudflap becoming loose or ineffective. A loose mudflap may also rub against the tyre, increasing wear and resulting in you needing a tyre replacement or new mud flap / mud guards sooner. Common symptoms of mudflap problems include:
- Physical Damage to Mudflaps: Check for visible signs of physical damage on the mudflaps, such as cracks, tears, or breakage. Excessive wear or damage can compromise the mudflaps’ ability to effectively protect the vehicle from debris, rocks, and mud.
- Detachment or Misalignment: If the mudflaps are no longer securely attached to the vehicle or if they are misaligned, it indicates a potential issue. Loose or misaligned mudflaps may not provide proper coverage and could interfere with the vehicle’s tyres or other components.
- Excessive Vibration or Noise: Worn-out or damaged mudflaps may cause excessive vibration or rattling noise while driving, especially at higher speeds. This could indicate that the mudflaps are loose, improperly installed, or lacking proper support.
- Paint Damage or Corrosion: If you notice paint damage, chipping, or corrosion on the lower portions of your vehicle’s body panels, it could be a sign that the mudflaps are not adequately protecting against debris and road spray. Mudflaps are designed to shield the vehicle’s body from such damage, so any signs of erosion or paint wear suggest a potential problem.
- Excessive Debris Buildup: If you frequently find a significant amount of mud, dirt, or debris accumulating on the lower parts of your vehicle despite having mudflaps installed, it could indicate that the mudflaps are not effectively doing their job. They may be too worn or damaged to provide sufficient coverage and prevent debris buildup.
- Reduced Protection: Mudflaps are primarily intended to protect the vehicle’s body, tyres, and other components from road debris and splash. If you notice an increase in dirt, mud, or rocks being thrown up onto the vehicle, or if you experience more frequent paint chips or damage, it suggests that the mudflaps are no longer providing adequate protection.
New Car Mudflaps / Mudguard Installation in Hamilton
Is your car in need of new or replacement mudflaps? If so, we can help!
Benefits of new mudflaps include:
- A cleaner vehicle, with less mud sticking to the panels of your vehicle as you drive
- Less damage to your car’s paint due to stones, other debris, or erosion
- Increased tyre lifespan due to the mudflaps not rubbing against them as you drive
Properly working mudflaps will make your car cleaner and help to prevent rust and preserve the paint job. They will also help prevent road rage by helping to avoid stones flying onto other cars behind you. At Grimmer Motors, we can locate and obtain the correct mudflaps for your vehicle. Our skilled and experienced mechanics can then correctly install them for you.
For reliable, high-quality new mudflap / mudguard installation in Hamilton, contact Grimmer Motors today!
Please Note – we don’t generally stock or supply just “parts only” for this service. We are a general automotive repair workshop. If you are able to bring your vehicle to us, we can diagnose the problem, find and fit the necessary parts, or organise the appropriate service for you.