Splitter damage
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 223
Likes: 7
From: Gatlinburg Tennessee
Splitter damage
I have done a search and cannot find any info specifically about this. I ran over a dead animal this morning on the interstate. I hoped I would clear it as I went over, but did not. There was too much traffic to pull over into another lane so I was stuck. Anyway, the front splitter is still intact, but the impact pulled out a few of the mounting screws from under the front bumper. I wonder how others have remounted the mounting bolts in the fiberglass. I thought of some good clear silicone caulk, but I am sure there are other products out there that would be better. Any advice is appreciated.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 867
Likes: 26
From: SW Ohio
If it just pulled the screws out of the quick-clips, you may only need to replace the screws/clips. If you actually broke the plastic area where the quick-clips attach to the lower valence/bumper, you'll need to pull off the splitter and make new holes for the quick-clips in the bumper and matching holes in the splitter, close to the old holes but outside of the damage area. Should work, and it'll be WAY CHEAPER than replacing the front valence.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 223
Likes: 7
From: Gatlinburg Tennessee
If it just pulled the screws out of the quick-clips, you may only need to replace the screws/clips. If you actually broke the plastic area where the quick-clips attach to the lower valence/bumper, you'll need to pull off the splitter and make new holes for the quick-clips in the bumper and matching holes in the splitter, close to the old holes but outside of the damage area. Should work, and it'll be WAY CHEAPER than replacing the front valence.
I should have thought of that.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 427
Likes: 111
From: Raleigh NC
Rebuilding the plastic with resin and fiberglass is an option if you dont want to drill more holes. Also you can use super glue and an instant cure for it. Meaning take some ABS plastic and reinforce the tabs. Clean and sand them lightly to increase the surface area, put the glue down on the tab, spray the insta-tac on the abs and press them together. It will smoke slightly but bond instantly. Redo this for the other side and re-drill the hole through the ABS. Remount....
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 88
Likes: 2
From: Grand Prairie Texas
[QUOTE=Euthymicone;1586244748]I have done a search and cannot find any info specifically about this. I ran over a dead animal this morning on the interstate. I hoped I would clear it as I went over, but did not. There was too much traffic to pull over into another lane so I was stuck. Anyway, the front splitter is still intact, but the impact pulled out a few of the mounting screws from under the front bumper. I wonder how others have remounted the mounting bolts in the fiberglass. I thought of some good clear silicone caulk, but I am sure there are other products out there that would be better. Any advice is appreciated.
If the hole is not too big, you can use a toggle bolt.. probably have to get shorter bolt..it works.. I use 1, out out of 3 to hold my license plate bracket.
If the hole is not too big, you can use a toggle bolt.. probably have to get shorter bolt..it works.. I use 1, out out of 3 to hold my license plate bracket.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,504
Likes: 66
From: Louisville, KY
I had the same thing happen to me. Busted up my splitter beyond repair. Also had some damaged as you described under the car. Ordered a new splitter, did the repair to the car much like "icntdrv55" above did. I also remember using a large washer on one of the holes that was cracked to reinforce it. I slide the quick clip over the washer and was able to slide it over the hole on the inside of the valance
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 26,243
Likes: 4,362
From: Chirper Island
Same thing happened to my Z. It pulled out half the clips and the plastic bumper bits attached to them. We took the splitter off (which wasn't damaged at all), for about a year, trying to figure out the fix. Then someone hit it in a parking lot which required, among other things, a new bumper, so we just had the body shop attach the splitter during the repair.
icntdrv55's idea of drilling new holes never occurred to us. If it had, it wouldn't have been a year of driving w/o the splitter.
lisa
icntdrv55's idea of drilling new holes never occurred to us. If it had, it wouldn't have been a year of driving w/o the splitter.
lisa
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