Solution for tires rubbing on front mud flaps....

[montana_jeepn]

My first write up...yeah...pretty lame compared to some of the awesome write-ups on here (love this site), but sometimes the simple solutions are the best.

I am running a Daystar 2.5/1.5 with LT275/70/r17's on 2011 SR5 Sport rims and no spacers. Ever since I had my 4Runner aligned, I've been getting rubbing when I turn full lock. I know some folks just remove the front flaps, but I like having the flaps to help protect the side of the truck from rocks. (not that she doesn't already have plenty of rock chips already).

No I doubt this will work if you are having some extreme rubbing, but I only needed about 1/2 an inch or so.

Tools required:
1- heat gun
1- beer bottle
1- consumption of said beer bottle during operation

I now have about 1/4 inch clearance at full lock in each direction and it took me about 15 min each side and I was able to retain my flaps. You just gently heat up the inside of the flap with the gun on high and once you it is pretty warm, take the beer bottle and roll it back and forth of the "high spots". Be careful to not get it too hot because it will melt as I found out on my drivers side.

I hope this helps someone.

 

[chompster4runner]

My first write up...yeah...pretty lame compared to some of the awesome write-ups on here (love this site), but sometimes the simple solutions are the best.

I am running a Daystar 2.5/1.5 with LT275/70/r17's on 2011 SR5 Sport rims and no spacers. Ever since I had my 4Runner aligned, I've been getting rubbing when I turn full lock. I know some folks just remove the front flaps, but I like having the flaps to help protect the side of the truck from rocks. (not that she doesn't already have plenty of rock chips already).

No I doubt this will work if you are having some extreme rubbing, but I only needed about 1/2 an inch or so.

Tools required:
1- heat gun
1- beer bottle
1- consumption of said beer bottle during operation

I now have about 1/4 inch clearance at full lock in each direction and it took me about 15 min each side and I was able to retain my flaps. You just gently heat up the inside of the flap with the gun on high and once you it is pretty warm, take the beer bottle and roll it back and forth of the "high spots". Be careful to not get it too hot because it will melt as I found out on my drivers side.

I hope this helps someone.

Did you finished the beer first or the other? Hehe wish I had a heat gun.:cheers:

 

[preacher35]

My first write up...yeah...pretty lame compared to some of the awesome write-ups on here (love this site), but sometimes the simple solutions are the best.

I am running a Daystar 2.5/1.5 with LT275/70/r17's on 2011 SR5 Sport rims and no spacers. Ever since I had my 4Runner aligned, I've been getting rubbing when I turn full lock. I know some folks just remove the front flaps, but I like having the flaps to help protect the side of the truck from rocks. (not that she doesn't already have plenty of rock chips already).

No I doubt this will work if you are having some extreme rubbing, but I only needed about 1/2 an inch or so.

Tools required:
1- heat gun
1- beer bottle
1- consumption of said beer bottle during operation

I now have about 1/4 inch clearance at full lock in each direction and it took me about 15 min each side and I was able to retain my flaps. You just gently heat up the inside of the flap with the gun on high and once you it is pretty warm, take the beer bottle and roll it back and forth of the "high spots". Be careful to not get it too hot because it will melt as I found out on my drivers side.

I hope this helps someone.

[MENTION=102816]montana_jeepn[/MENTION] Ok, please take this with the utmost respect: this is not much of a "write up". How about some pics, aside from the one of the beer and heat gun; like finished product? So, for clarification's sake, are you simply saying that you heated up the areas of the flap that the tire was striking, and then, essentially, smashing them with the beer bottle?

 

[montana_jeepn]

[MENTION=102816]montana_jeepn[/MENTION] Ok, please take this with the utmost respect: this is not much of a "write up". How about some pics, aside from the one of the beer and heat gun; like finished product? So, for clarification's sake, are you simply saying that you heated up the areas of the flap that the tire was striking, and then, essentially, smashing them with the beer bottle?

You got it, you use the beer bottle, (or any round, hard object) and smash it, rolling the bottle back and forth. You may have to do it several times.

The finished product probably looks very similar to what is in your fender well (if you still have mud flaps)......just that mine happens to no longer rub on my tire.....I really can't tell any difference before/after (except where I was a little aggressive with the heat gun on the first one and I marred up the plastic) which is the beauty of this. You get to retain your factory mudflap without the annoying rubbing.

Unfortunately I didn't taken any before shots, but I will try to snap a couple after pictures tomorrow.

 

[montana_jeepn]

Did you finished the beer first or the other? Hehe wish I had a heat gun.:cheers:

That was my first beer.....I poured it into the glass and drank it while I was working.....couldn't waste it now!

 

[riceandpho]

I just took the flaps out, cut the inner half out and mount it back to the truck, my rubbing issue is inside half of the flaps, I think yours looks better with the heat gun method, mine look like it's really cut all the way down.

 

[MarkinWMich]

In some cases, you can just pull the flaps back to clear the tires. I used some 10G wire, drilled 2 small holes in the bottom of the flaps, fed the wire through, the secured the wire to my running board brackets. See my photo album.

 

[chompster4runner]

In some cases, you can just pull the flaps back to clear the tires. I used some 10G wire, drilled 2 small holes in the bottom of the flaps, fed the wire through, the secured the wire to my running board brackets. See my photo album.

Ditto...that's what I did too.:lol:

 

[montana_jeepn]

Here are a couple shots after. I still have a light touch on the drivers side, but I can't hear it when I'm driving and turning.