Front plastic guard

[mdodge]

I'm sure most of us have either completely or partially broken off the black plastic guard under the front of the car. I was wondering what purpose it really serves and if it is really needed. Mine is about half broken off so all it does and flap around and make noise. Some tech at a firestone service station said that is important to keep on and intact for protection. Protection of what I don't know exactly. Water, scraping a curb? Thanks.

[dadirtybulldog]

i know exactly what you're talking about, i have the same prob except mine doesn't make noise (yet)... but part of it sure broken off... so i was wondering if it was necessary too... it's just the plastic piece that hangs down that is broke on mine, i was thinking possibly of getting a hacksaw and taking all three pieces off the car and sawing that piece that hangs down nice and flush.. it would be a better look than i have....

[Final-Reality]

Take it off. It's useless.

I havnt had mine on for more than a year.. it's just a spoiler designed to keep air from flowing under the car, helps to reduce lift, in theory at least.. but you'll never notice a thing, trust me.

[niral622]

just out of curiosity...could it be possible that this flap deflects cooler air upward into the engine compartment to help promote circulation? the reason why I think this is that our n-bodies don't have front air grills like grandams?

sorry if I don't know what i'm talking about ;)

[misslindseysue]

I did notice a difference with and without it, but not a huge one. The piece that hangs down isn't necessary. The piece that's bolted on the bottom of the car is. It supports the radiator. So go ahead and hack the front part off, but leave rest.

[StealthAlero99]

Mine kept breaking and falling, so i just screwed it into the plastic lip that was right behind it

[bdyman]

actualy it`s not useless the main purpose of that "piece of plastic" is to direct air onto the condensor and radiator
ya kinda need it, help cool off the condensor and radiator
but hey what do i know

[mdodge]

Given that mine is just about completely broken off and has been like that for nearly a year...it doesn't seem that it has been doing much good anyway. I also noticed that the piece that bolts on is starting to crack and isn't very tight anymore. Anyone know where the best place would be to find this piece?

Since many of us have broken ones or none at all, and that I haven't heard anyone having any problems relating to it (radiator problems), I wouldn't think taking the front piece off would hurt. But I could be wrong.

[niral622]

^^well you wouldn't have radiator problems directly, you might have other side effects (radiator is part of engine cooling system and is used to disperse heat from coolant out), though I can't see them to be major.

[bdyman]

like i said, what do i know
only 10 yrs in the auto motive field

[mdodge]

I'm not doubting you... I just like hear everyones take on the matter. Some people havent' had problems, some may have or could have. Do you know where I might find this piece to replace it?
Thanks guys.

[misslindseysue]

You can get the part from a dealer for around $30. I watched Pat put it on my car, and it took less than half an hour. The only PITA is holding up the radiator to bolt it back on.

[StockAlero00]

My "Piece of Plastic" got ripped, from always pulling out of my driveway, and the bottom of it scraping the car. (When It fell off I dont know. One day I went to see If i could "fix" it, and the thing was gone, But I still have the two bolted parts on it. I havent' had any problems that I know of.

[dadirtybulldog]

Originally posted by mdodgealero@Apr 24 2004, 06:04 PM
Given that mine is just about completely broken off and has been like that for nearly a year...it doesn't seem that it has been doing much good anyway. I also noticed that the piece that bolts on is starting to crack and isn't very tight anymore. Anyone know where the best place would be to find this piece?


for the piece you're looking for i would say try the junkyard/scrapyard... ya never know what you'll find.

[dadirtybulldog]

well, today i'm gonna start hacking those pieces off... i'm currently brainstorming ideas on making some kind of custom piece that will still direct air into the engine compartment that will be direct bolt on.... i'll keep you guys posted... i'll get some pics of my broken part before and... after... of course...

[mdodge]

Can't wait to see what you come up with...keep us posted! :thumbsup:

[dadirtybulldog]

here's the before pic of the broken piece...

[Molson]

Its there to direct air upwards towards the rad.

[Final-Reality]

Nah molson the central opening on the bumper is where the rad gets its air from... I've had that thing off for more than a year and never a problem, it's just a front spoiler

[mdodge]

Any updates bulldog? I finally ripped the front piece off as it was really gettin irratating. I guess there is conflicting ideas as to if it really is needed but I can go without for little while.

[dadirtybulldog]

Originally posted by mdodgealero@May 18 2004, 09:32 PM
Any updates bulldog? I finally ripped the front piece off as it was really gettin irratating. I guess there is conflicting ideas as to if it really is needed but I can go without for little while.
sorry, no updates.... i had to put the project on hold, because my floor mat idea has taken off.... i do still plan to do something, although i don't know what yet... i've come to the conclusion that only the front piece is needed, and it's my side piece that is broke, so whatever i come with i will retain the front piece, or at least modify it some...

[chiemsee95]

just go to a dealer and buy the piece, they are pretty cheap, you don't need to custom fab something

[sound_xtreme]

bah why bother? my car hasnt had one for a looong time. since the car was kinda low from the coilovers my just about ripped right off, i actually peeled it off very easily the rest of the way. you dont need it. my car runs perfect. never runs hot(anymore, had to replace the thermostat but i have 90k+ miles). ditch the stupid thing.

[Final-Reality]

Even if one of it's purposes were to direct air up towards the radiator, it must've done a lousy job, because I have never had any issues with it removed, and it would only do a reasonable job of directing air upwards at highway speeds, when the rad is getting plenty of air anyways. So in short, even if it was engineered as a dual-purpose spoiler/air-director, it probably does a lousy job of both.

[dadirtybulldog]

Originally posted by chiemsee95@May 19 2004, 12:44 PM
just go to a dealer and buy the piece, they are pretty cheap, you don't need to custom fab something
why, so the cheap crap can break again???... or fab something stronger... i enjoy custom creating stuff, and by the way i've been through two of these... so fab it i will :thumbsup:

[mdodge]

what are you thinking of making it out of?

[sound_xtreme]

sheet metal will be the only thing that could withstand the beating that takes. even that i dunno. and that would rust.

[Steve03TropicTeal]

a real flexible plastic. that wont get brittle. Almost like rubber

[1WhiteOSV]

I just broke mine off (mostly) doing donuts in the snow last winter hehe :lol: ...anyway..the middle piece broke cleanly off...the side curved pieces i broke off w/ my hands and they broke pretty cleanly too..i did take a pair of tin snips and cut the rest of the jagged pieces off...its looks SO much better w/ out it