Flimsy plastic in wheel wells.

[Trickster]

Well just installed Mopar mud flaps today and although I knew the wheel well areas were plastic, I found out how flimsy they seem. Not very confident that the poly rivets that came with the mudflaps will be tough enough to keep them secure, especially when loaded up with mud/slush/snow. Here in the Great White North when it gets stupid cold this winter, that plastic may be brittle with limited flex.
Time will tell I suppose.
Any first hand knowledge or suggestions, I was thinking metal screws with the flat metal clips to add some confidence in securement.

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[Tiny]

I was in the same boat but I've had mine on for over a year and they've held up fine. Winter in Indiana was relatively mild but I did have quite a bit of frozen slush and junk build up multiple times. Just gave it a few quick whacks and it dropped off per usual.

 

[Murgatroid]

Well just installed Mopar mud flaps today and although I knew the wheel well areas were plastic, I found out how flimsy they seem. Not very confident that the poly rivets that came with the mudflaps will be tough enough to keep them secure, especially when loaded up with mud/slush/snow. Here in the Great White North when it gets stupid cold this winter, that plastic may be brittle with limited flex.
Time will tell I suppose.
Any first hand knowledge or suggestions, I was thinking metal screws with the flat metal clips to add some confidence in securement.

I could not believe how flimsy it was. A clam shell blister pack is heavier plastic and it is only designed to hold a product till it sells not last years of road use.

 

[Hootbro]

I think the plastic rivets do fine if installed with the right tool for them.

Using metal hardware just adds another corrosion or wear point.

 

[eyekode]

I accidentally snagged my fender on a trailer in a tight boat ramp parking lot. It partially ripped the fender off. It only cost about 20$ in fastners to reattach. I think with the way the fenders stick out the cheap feeling construction can be seen as a benefit. It appears to be meant to break away easily to minimize overall damage to the vehicle in the event of a snag.

 

[j.o.y.ride]

The flimsy plastic may actually work better at shedding ice and snow as it flexes than rigid would.

 

[Forum Crawler]

Well just installed Mopar mud flaps today and although I knew the wheel well areas were plastic, I found out how flimsy they seem. Not very confident that the poly rivets that came with the mudflaps will be tough enough to keep them secure, especially when loaded up with mud/slush/snow. Here in the Great White North when it gets stupid cold this winter, that plastic may be brittle with limited flex.
Time will tell I suppose.
Any first hand knowledge or suggestions, I was thinking metal screws with the flat metal clips to add some confidence in securement.

They're lightweight for a reason. Weight savings. MPG.

FWIW, I had a JL and wheeling the UP/Yoop/Upper Peninsula (Michigan) etc in winter, the wheel well liners were a non-issue in mud and snow.

 

[Stsdroog]

They're lightweight for a reason. Weight savings. MPG.

FWIW, I had a JL and wheeling the UP/Yoop/Upper Peninsula (Michigan) etc in winter, the wheel well liners were a non-issue in mud and snow.

Ditto, I wheel all winter long here in Colorado (snow, mud, rocks etc.). Out of all the things I've broke on my rub's the plastic wheel wells have stood the test.

 

[Trickster]

Ditto, I wheel all winter long here in Colorado (snow, mud, rocks etc.). Out of all the things I've broke on my rub's the plastic wheel wells have stood the test.

Well that’s good to know, thanks.
I had a feeling the flexibility was for a positive reason (give and take),
so that’s with weight savings, makes sense.
Cheers

 

[cdyoung9799]

I accidentally snagged my fender on a trailer in a tight boat ramp parking lot. It partially ripped the fender off. It only cost about 20$ in fastners to reattach. I think with the way the fenders stick out the cheap feeling construction can be seen as a benefit. It appears to be meant to break away easily to minimize overall damage to the vehicle in the event of a snag.

When I had my JLUR, I was swapping out the standard fender lights to the Mopar LED's. A little too much elbow grease, and I pulled the whole fender off. Had a quick "OH $HIT!!" moment, then I realized I didn't break any of the clips. Popped it right back on.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

The flimsy plastic may actually work better at shedding ice and snow as it flexes than rigid would.

Yuuup.

Mine have been in place since shortly after I bought the truck. I messed up a rivet and used a HF rivet to replace the one I messed up. It lasted a while. I asked the dealership to put in a proper rivet and charge me for it. They considered it warranty and took care of it.

Some snow and ice does build up but it doesn't seem to do as badly as my wife's WK2 and my truck builds more on the bottoms of the running boards. SO, maybe the slick flexible plastic bit is right?

 

[Rocksalt]

mine have held up for 2 plus years in Illinois winter salt skush and even in Northern MN serouu cold snd snow but yes these are ridiculously thin.

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