Flare removal

[Fmuguira]

Got some rear RekTec mudflaps and getting ready to install. Apparently need to pull rear flares and curious from those that have done it if you need to be careful to not scratch body paint when you “yank” them up after loosening 5 flares lever/tabs? Thought about putting some painters tape or electrical tape on body just above flares as protection but not sure if it’s necessary.
Thx for help/replies!

Sponsored

 

[userdude]

I would suggest having some plastic trim pullers available. The little plastic lock pins can really be a bear to pull out if you're just pulling on the fender alone. I even saw the metal pull away when I tried on not too long ago. With one of the plastic pullers, you can work with the plastic lock pin to keep it from pulling on the fender metal so much. You might also want to have a few extra pins handy, in case you need to replace some.

 

[TNTACO]

I just took mine off yesterday to put a pair of IAG's on. Make sure that when you turn the plastic latches they are lined up with the slot on the body. And be prepared, they make a hell of a racket when you yank them off. I spore I cracked it in a million pieces by the sound. It does take a little tug to get it started. Not to worry though. It was pretty easy. Nothing broke or cracked. Just startled me. MY Bronco is less than two weeks old so naturally, I was a little nervous.

 

[Scott R Nelson]

I was going to post an answer based what I remembered from a couple of years ago, but decided to just run out and check directly.

My Bronco has been through A LOT of mud, sand, and dirt, and it's rare that I can get it all out of the cracks. With that said, the levers are still easy enough to flip to the "remove" position, with one or two needing a little extra effort. To pull the flare off, you have a sort of plastic ball in between each of the levers, and that's what makes all the noise when you pull the flares off. Just start at one end and starting popping it off until you get to the other end. Don't be timid about yanking on the thing.

I'm overdue to take all four flares off as well as the spare and run it through a car wash to get it "extra clean". In other words, I need to clean some of the spots that I rarely get to because other stuff is in the way. As you may be able to figure out, I'm not all that concerned about having a shiny clean Bronco, and it's often still dirtier when I leave the car wash than most of the vehicles coming in.

Gratuitous photo of my Bronco in its preferred environment:

 

[Fmuguira]

Thx Scott. Sounds like you ve had yours off a couple times without breaking the pins or other parts !!!

 

[Lifeliberty]

Just pull them off, you don't need paint protection

 

[BlueBronco]

Grip it and rip it.

I remove mine quite often. No need for paint protection or to over think it

 

[Mjasi3]

just unlatch and yank them off. its easy but loud.

 

[Lawman]

I took mine off for mud flap installation and re-installed. Yesterday I noticed one was a little loose while driving on the highway. I did not pay attention to the direction of the tabs when I removed them. Does anyone know if the proper locking position is towards the front or rear of the vehicle? Or does it not matter?

 

[Scott R Nelson]

I took mine off for mud flap installation and re-installed. Yesterday I noticed one was a little loose while driving on the highway. I did not pay attention to the direction of the tabs when I removed them. Does anyone know if the proper locking position is towards the front or rear of the vehicle? Or does it not matter?

As far as I know, there is only one direction that will allow the flares to be removed and you turn them all the way in the other direction to lock things in place. Seems pretty obvious to me.

 

[Lawman]

As far as I know, there is only one direction that will allow the flares to be removed and you turn them all the way in the other direction to lock things in place. Seems pretty obvious to me.

They unlock in the center position

 

[Scott R Nelson]

They unlock in the center position

Now you made me go out to my Bronco and check it again.

That is NOT how they work on my 2021 Sasquatch. Using the left front fender flare as an example, the latch at the front of the flare is all the way left as far as it will go. Turn it back to the right as far as it can go and it's in the open position where it best clears the little rectangular hole in the fender. It doesn't turn quite as far to the right as it does to the left, but nowhere close to the middle.

If yours works differently than this, and it's a stock fender flare, maybe you need to share some photos with us.

 

[Lawman]

Now you made me go out to my Bronco and check it again.

That is NOT how they work on my 2021 Sasquatch. Using the left front fender flare as an example, the latch at the front of the flare is all the way left as far as it will go. Turn it back to the right as far as it can go and it's in the open position where it best clears the little rectangular hole in the fender. It doesn't turn quite as far to the right as it does to the left, but nowhere close to the middle.

If yours works differently than this, and it's a stock fender flare, maybe you need to share some photos with us.

I have a 23 SAS Wildtrak. Maybe they changed them. When in the center position they unlock and you can actually pull the locking tab off at that point.
Im going to pull one when I get off work and see exactly how the pin locks in place.
Thanks for checking yours !!

 

[indio22]

I'm unable to remove the flares from my 2023 non-Sas Bronco. I moved the levers as shown in the photo below, but the flares remain fixed to the fender. I pulled as hard as I feel comfortable doing, given the metal fender was distorting and not wanting to let go of the flare.

Something doesn't add up, because the YouTube videos I watched made pulling off the flares seem easy. But they are not letting go for me. Any advice?

 

[Scott R Nelson]

Any advice?

Are you starting at the front and working toward the rear? They'll usually pop out one at a time as you work your way from one end to the other.

Sponsored