[stephiebaby]

So my tire guy put my mud flaps on but he said he had to remove two back panels by my rear tires to make them fit. I've seen several YT videos and it doesnt look like any pieces actually have to be removed from the car. I've attached a picture of the pieces. Should I get him to put these back on??

 

[nsibanez]

Not sure what these are...having a hard time picturing where they go, or what they look like. Probably do need to pull some clips and pull panels away to make these fit like they did out of the factory....rally armor mudflaps are the same way.
Why not do it yourself though?

 

[stephiebaby]

Not sure what these are...having a hard time picturing where they go, or what they look like. Probably do need to pull some clips and pull panels away to make these fit like they did out of the factory....rally armor mudflaps are the same way.
Why not do it yourself though?

They say "stiffening panel" on the back side of them. I think its part of the rear tire well. I could have attempted to do it myself, but i dont have the space nor do I think I would be strong enough to pull a tire and wheel off myself.

They thought these pieces had to have holes put in the middle of them for the mud flap to fit correctly. Im guessing the inner screw of the mudflap (thats not screwed into anything) was rubbing up against these.

 

[stephiebaby]

It says SPN0002441 Stiffening Panel Right and SPN0002443 Stiffening Panel Left.

 

[seanracerx1986]

the mudflaps takes the place of the stiffening panel this is normal and is needed when adding mudflaps.

 

[Doctor Jeff]

Do you have to remove the tires to install? Rokblokz sells an offset screwdriver to help installing without removing.

I don't think you would have trouble removing the wheels if you wanted to. They're about 25-30 lbs. I took mine off in the driveway to put on the winter set. Good exercise!

 

[chewdc]

I used an offset screwdriver I got from Amazon for 9-10 bucks. The fronts were easy, since you can just turn the steering wheel but the backs were a little bit of a pain in the ass until I got the offset screwdriver.

 

[stephiebaby]

the mudflaps takes the place of the stiffening panel this is normal and is needed when adding mudflaps.

Thats what the guy told me too, but its odd since I've never heard of anyone else having to remove them.

 

[seanracerx1986]

Check out this link for installationhttps://techinfo.subaru.com/proxy/110103/pdf/110103-J1010SG300.pdf instructions for a forester but same thing as far as removal of stiffener shields but you may be able to find yours on line.

 

[B0Osted16rex]

I have RA mudflaps and I didnt remove anything...The flaps went on without an issue from what i remember. Took me about 30 beer minutes =)

 

[WRX John]

Ditto; identical experience ce to B0Osted16rex (though took a little longer).

 

[why2kmax]

Check out this link for installationhttps://techinfo.subaru.com/proxy/110103/pdf/110103-J1010SG300.pdf instructions for a forester but same thing as far as removal of stiffener shields but you may be able to find yours on line.

Ive put mudguards on a 16 Crosstrek, 14 and 17 Forester and never had to remove anything from the rear. OEM and Rockblocs go right over the shield/plastic inner liners in the rear. Usually you just have to drill an extra hole. ON the foresters, you do have to remove a piece from the front that the mudguard takes the place of but its not a stiffening shield.

 

[Dark1]

Looks like those go under the car. Most likely the mechanic (use that word loosely) took them off instead of removing the wheels. You should not have to remove any parts to install mudflaps, except for the factory grommets where bolts go in place of.

 

[Germd]

Just installed my Rally Armors this afternoon. No need to remove any panels from the car nor did I pull the wheels. Did it with supplied instructions & after watching YT videos a couple times. I think those panels the mechanic removed are from the rear wheel wells and should be put back on. A long (18"). Phillips head screwdriver is all you need to access the middle screws of the flap bracket for the rears.