How to Remove/Replace Air Dam/Valence?

[Fuzzyspudkiss]

I did a search for "air dam" and i found a couple of results but none of them described how easy it was to remove the air dam or valence or whatever the heck its called.

My question is how do you remove the air dam is it an in depth procedure that requires a mechanic's hand or can someone like me remove it fairly easily (I have almost enough knowledge to make me dangerous )

Also will the Grand Am air dams fit? i was gonna go look at a junk yard for an intact air dam. I think I only need the passenger side piece.

Here are some pictures...in case i am not calling it the correct name it is the very bottom black piece of plastic that is missing the pass. side. I know it doesn't really matter but it really annoys me that its not there...Thank you very much for all of the help

[01silveralero]

it is a pretty simple process to do although it is a little bit of a pain to lift up the condenser though while lifting the air dam up to put the bolts back in.

[Vic28]

Its called Splash shield (fender liner is the real name) and I believe you looking for the front half, passenger side. There is two per wheel in case you gonna order online and dont get it mixed up. Its pretty simple, turn the wheel (easier if you take it off) and take the tabs around the bumper, theres few 10mm bolts aswell but they can be a pain in the ass when they are rusted and dont want to come out without damaging the bumper a bit.

http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_nkw=ale...osacat=0&bkBtn=

[lord2heart]

dont want to steer this off course but whats the point of a splash shield?

[domscox]

Find a donor car and take the piece off yourself. This is the best way to put it back on yours. I found one local for mine and the guy charged me 5 bucks. Little odds and ends like that should be cheap.

[jayson_waltz]

the part connected to the finder liner on the drivers side will have to be cut off. th middle i don't know if it can come off or also has to be cut. imo it would be easier to spend 20-25 bucks and go buy a new passenger side fender liner so the bottom air dam is complete again. I never had a air dam on my alero, so when i ended up buying a fender liner i just cut off the air dam part anyways.

[Redog]

IDK which ones you are talking about, but the sides are fender liners and they are fairly easy to remove. It's a bunch of 10mm bolts which are easy to undo, except for the ones in the body itself behind the wheel. I take mine out all the time at the track for better air flow.

A little tip: remove the headlight so you can push the body plugs part of the liner out easier. and turn the wheels all the way out from what side you are working on

The center, yes the condessor is held up by the same bolts. A bit of a pain, but doable. I would suggest putting the car up on ramps to give you more room to work

As for the price, don't bother going to the junkyard for this. The fender liners are $30 from the dealer and the center is I'm guessing about $50.

I bought a fenderliner last week, but the last time I bought one it was only $20 and the center was $40, but that was a long time ago

[Vella's Alero]

Are these really necessary? What exactly do they do cause I have my center one missing and haven't bothered to look into replaceing it. Sorry to thread jack but just curious.

[lord2heart]

Originally Posted by Vella's Alero

Are these really necessary? What exactly do they do cause I have my center one missing and haven't bothered to look into replaceing it. Sorry to thread jack but just curious.

ditto

[Redog]

The main reason they are there is to deflect the wind up into the raditor and keep the car cool at highway speeds. The left and right I would think would be more an aerodymatic thing on the bottom, and cooling when the air travels thru the fog light port area

[lord2heart]

coolio

[Weazel]

Bolts and Christmas trees, depending what pieces you're doing.

[Alerojester]

my center is missing too but really wasn't sure if it was needed or not, my car (when it was running) never got hot and stayed pretty close to between 1/4 and 1/2 the temp gauge..

[Fuzzyspudkiss]

Thanks everybody, now I have a lot of helpful information...and wouldn't it be great if i could only get around to doing it...

[Fuzzyspudkiss]

as long as its not raining do you guys think it would be ok to drive around without my splash guard? or is it too dangerous for the parts behind it?

i took it off just to see if i could do it and im not sure if i can leave it off for a couple of days...

[Weazel]

Originally Posted by Fuzzyspudkiss

as long as its not raining do you guys think it would be ok to drive around without my splash guard? or is it too dangerous for the parts behind it?

i took it off just to see if i could do it and im not sure if i can leave it off for a couple of days...

I haven't had one for over a year, I would assume it helps, but the only thing it did for me before it ripped was scrape on my driveway every time I came and went.

[99 SVT Bolt]

That air dam helps cooling and reduces air turbulance under the car. That helps in fuel economy. While it may not be much, every little bit helps now a days.