Mud Flaps ("Splash Guards")

[Yoda]

Recently we purchased a 2003 Corvette. Now be aware that I've owned Corvettes over the years, but this is the first C5...

I noticed right off that this car is a little lower slung than my previous Corvettes, well, maybe the C4 was a tad low...

I also learned years ago that it is best to back into a parking stall "When Possible", to keep from damaging the front air dam.. It takes a bit of getting used too, each generation seems just a bit different..

Our 03 seems especially low in the front, so being the good Corvette Owner I tend to cross dips and drainage area's at an angle and avoid sticking the nose in places that might drag or grind it..

OK, yesterday after getting the "Shock Stuffers" out and feeling great I went over to pick up a Buddy of Mine and go for a ride.. His drive-way is one of those that I just pull up in front of and he can walk down it to my car No the STUPIDITY slowly creeps in...

Rather then go in direction I was facing, I decided to BACK UP into his drive-way to turn around and go back the other way... I was explaining how Abby was like a completely diffferent car, and good I felt that is was something so easy.. THEN BUMP GRIND... WTF.... I caught the very edge of the curb with the passengers rear tire... WHAT was the grinding and dragging sound coming from...

THE MUD FLAPS.. Well the Passengers Side Mud Flap hit the curb...

Before:

After:

I figure not a "real big deal" I thought about taking them off anyway.. So on with the cruise..

Once home I decide to take the Rear MUD FLAPS off. That's when I realized how much damage was done.. I really didn't see the fiber glass hole until I started to take the MUD FLAP off.. Now I'm heart broken, what an idiot...

I decide to remove the Drivers Side Rear MUD FLAP and go get an estimate to have the Ripped Hole Repaired and to patch the hole from the screw on the driver side MUD FLAP repaired, (just a screw hole :eyerole )...

Drivers Side:

Notice the scribe mark... YES It's a SCRIBE mark, used to mark where the top hole was to be drilled..:eyerole NOW I'm beyond "Upset"..

Off to a couple of recommended body shops for estimates.. explain my stupidity to 3 different body shops..
1st Shop: $817.27
2nd Shop: $451.72
3rd Shop: $673.17
:eek :ugh And they say STUPIDITY doesn't pay... they're right it COSTS :bash

Each shop explained the same process, remove the rear bumper, patch, paint, then clear coat the entire fender... I'm sick, I'm an idiot, I'm in deep HOT water...

"Abby" goes in this morning for cosmetic surgery.. Shop said if I can get her in First thing this morning they should have her done by noon Saturday

DAM...

Here is a bigger photo of the Passengers Side fender well , where the MUD FLAP USED TO BE..

Would I recommend MUD FLAPS... NOT if you're an idiot like me :eyerole (some call it being anal)

Hi My Name is Stupid, I don't have a clue... and I don't have MUD FLAPS (rear) on my Corvette anymore..

 

[Tuna]

What the luck!
I feel for you.

I can't think of any reason to put them on a C5 in the first place.

 

[gmjunkie]

Dayammmm Bud,If you were closer I'd Spot that in for you!! :cool

 

[Red Vette]

Bud, sorry to hear of the "incident" with the mud flaps. I have them on both the front and the rear of my C4 and C5 - I really need them for the mountain granite road to my driveway. Fortunately the damage is repairable - and unfortunately costly. Too bad there aren't more "GM Junkie"s out there for us - good man. A word of caution when you drive Abby, the front end is also vulnerable. I thought I was being cautious with my 02 coupe, but after I first got her, I heard scraping from the front at a low intersection. I took this as a warning as no damage was done, and invested in set of wheels from MAMW and installed them. I know they have saved the coupe several times, even though I was careful. I don't know if other C5 drivers have installed them (had to drill 1/2 holes in the front support, but I am glad that I did it). MAMW also has skid plates if you don't like the small wheels. Stuff like this happens to the best of drivers, like you. Hope you give us a good report on the repair. Looking forward to seeing Abby and her owners at CF in Cleveland.

BTW, when the sharks first came out, drivers were not familiar with the extra length of the front, and were constantly running into something that caused the body shops to praise the design. I personaly saw 3 front ends get smashed by their drivers in 1968. Since RARE looked fine last year in the Springs, I know that you know your cars. Just learn the nuiances of the C5; I'm still learning.
Barrett

 

[LittleRedFlatBack]

Sorry to hear about your mishap Bud. I sure Abby will be as good as new when you get her back. Don't beat yourself up over it. I can certainly identify though. I felt the same way when I totaled my 84'.

 

[ßill]

Man that sucks Bud! I'm sure that she will be better than new when your done. We must learn something new everyday. NO MORE LESSONS LIKE THAT!!

 

[LT4man]

Bud, sorry to see what has happened to Abby.

I could tell many stories of what I did or failed to do over the years.......but I won't!!!

Just thinking of the things I have done has got me almost crying!

JMHO: leave the mudflaps off. I think it looks wayyyy better that way!

SAVE THE

 

[Yoda]

Abby is back home, repaired...

Special THANK YOU to gmjunkie (Jesse) for his tech assist with getting the rear bumper back to fitting like it did when new..

Save my blood pressure, Let me say Quality and Customer Satifaction was NOT a priority at Gene Messer Body Shop...

Never the less, Abby is fine, Looking Good and ready for 2008 Corvette Spring, Summer and Fall

Bud

 

[gmjunkie]

Abby is back home, repaired...

Special THANK YOU to gmjunkie (Jesse) for his tech assist with getting the rear bumper back to fitting like it did when new..

Save my blood pressure, Let me say Quality and Customer Satifaction was NOT a priority at Gene Messer Body Shop...

Never the less, Abby is fine, Looking Good and ready for 2008 Corvette Spring, Summer and Fall

Bud

No Problem,Bud!!
Tell Ma I'm sorry about the skin!!!
If she's going to do this kind of work she needs to get a better trained Helper!!!