Front mud flaps with running boards?
#1
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GL450 2008
Front mud flaps with running boards?
I have seen that the Merc (GL) front mud flaps cannot apparently be put on the GL if there are running boards in place.
Has anyone found a way to do this and if so how?
Last year I found snowy grit spray coming from the from tires would still manage to coat the sides of the front door and make a few scratches. So I'd be happy to get front mud flaps on to block that small gap at the lower edge of the wheel arch.
I'm only looking at using the original Mercedes flaps not other after market types. The tires are 265 section winter tires too, so not sticking out past the wheel arch.
Thanks
GL450 2008
Has anyone found a way to do this and if so how?
Last year I found snowy grit spray coming from the from tires would still manage to coat the sides of the front door and make a few scratches. So I'd be happy to get front mud flaps on to block that small gap at the lower edge of the wheel arch.
I'm only looking at using the original Mercedes flaps not other after market types. The tires are 265 section winter tires too, so not sticking out past the wheel arch.
Thanks
GL450 2008
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GL450 CLS500
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GL450 2008
The mudflaps on the rear certainly seem to help keep a load of muck off the back door and undercarriage. The running boards really don't do the job of mudflaps in my view.
Mind you, the running boards are really useful when I want to wash the front part of the roof. And it's easier to reach the rear part of the roof to wash as I step onto the running board then onto the top of the rear tire. No need for ladders. Duh! It took me ages to figure that out too. I used step ladders all the time with my old ML.
I'll try and upload a photo later. I'm on an iPhone right now and can't seem to upload images.
I really did get fed up last winter with grit in the snow flying off the front tires onto the door sides. You could hear it and eventually this will add scratches. So any sensible solution to block this gap and reduce the side spray will help.
Thanks
Mind you, the running boards are really useful when I want to wash the front part of the roof. And it's easier to reach the rear part of the roof to wash as I step onto the running board then onto the top of the rear tire. No need for ladders. Duh! It took me ages to figure that out too. I used step ladders all the time with my old ML.
I'll try and upload a photo later. I'm on an iPhone right now and can't seem to upload images.
I really did get fed up last winter with grit in the snow flying off the front tires onto the door sides. You could hear it and eventually this will add scratches. So any sensible solution to block this gap and reduce the side spray will help.
Thanks
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2012 GL350 Avantguard
Thanks for the pic. I am finding with all the snow here that the running boards become a collection device for all the snow and muck (which now explains why I have seen so many GLs with rust spots on the running boards). I find the GL gets more muck than usual on the side and especially the running boards.
Do the rear flaps mount when you have the fender flares? My 12 has the 550 fender flares so I guess I cannot even mount rear mud flaps either....
Do the rear flaps mount when you have the fender flares? My 12 has the 550 fender flares so I guess I cannot even mount rear mud flaps either....
#11
mudflaps
the OEM mud flaps will not fit with fender flares.
You will probably have to do something custom like I did, which was have a show fabric flaps.
I did that on the front. They look super clean. They used a thick plastic. We painted the back of the flaps the body color, so the flaps pretty much disappear
You will probably have to do something custom like I did, which was have a show fabric flaps.
I did that on the front. They look super clean. They used a thick plastic. We painted the back of the flaps the body color, so the flaps pretty much disappear
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2012 GL350 Avantguard
the OEM mud flaps will not fit with fender flares.
You will probably have to do something custom like I did, which was have a show fabric flaps.
I did that on the front. They look super clean. They used a thick plastic. We painted the back of the flaps the body color, so the flaps pretty much disappear
You will probably have to do something custom like I did, which was have a show fabric flaps.
I did that on the front. They look super clean. They used a thick plastic. We painted the back of the flaps the body color, so the flaps pretty much disappear
#13
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You may be able to trim the front set in such a way to make them fit the contour of the running board. Did that on our 99 ML with OEM running boards.
#15
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Reviving what appears to be a very old and dead thread. Since winter is approaching I wanted to get some mud flaps on my GL350 as I drive a lot of back roads and the wet leaves tend to end up on the side of the vehicle during the fall, and I'm hoping to reduce some of the salt/snow/slush mess this winter.
I finally found what I was looking for on eBay. There are a couple options that fit the X164 GL with running boards; clearly sourced from China but quality isn't terrible. The rears fit with zero issues but the fronts were off by just enough that I had to get a little creative with the mounting hardware and using quite a bit of force to push them into position. The supplied hardware was fine on the back, but had to substitute my own (longer by about 1/4-3/8") for the fronts.
Anyway, for USD$56 if they last a couple seasons and reduce some of the spray on the side I'll be happy. They look fine/factory.
I finally found what I was looking for on eBay. There are a couple options that fit the X164 GL with running boards; clearly sourced from China but quality isn't terrible. The rears fit with zero issues but the fronts were off by just enough that I had to get a little creative with the mounting hardware and using quite a bit of force to push them into position. The supplied hardware was fine on the back, but had to substitute my own (longer by about 1/4-3/8") for the fronts.
Anyway, for USD$56 if they last a couple seasons and reduce some of the spray on the side I'll be happy. They look fine/factory.
#17
Do you have the link of the product you purchased for $56?
Reviving what appears to be a very old and dead thread. Since winter is approaching I wanted to get some mud flaps on my GL350 as I drive a lot of back roads and the wet leaves tend to end up on the side of the vehicle during the fall, and I'm hoping to reduce some of the salt/snow/slush mess this winter.
I finally found what I was looking for on eBay. There are a couple options that fit the X164 GL with running boards; clearly sourced from China but quality isn't terrible. The rears fit with zero issues but the fronts were off by just enough that I had to get a little creative with the mounting hardware and using quite a bit of force to push them into position. The supplied hardware was fine on the back, but had to substitute my own (longer by about 1/4-3/8") for the fronts.
Anyway, for USD$56 if they last a couple seasons and reduce some of the spray on the side I'll be happy. They look fine/factory.
I finally found what I was looking for on eBay. There are a couple options that fit the X164 GL with running boards; clearly sourced from China but quality isn't terrible. The rears fit with zero issues but the fronts were off by just enough that I had to get a little creative with the mounting hardware and using quite a bit of force to push them into position. The supplied hardware was fine on the back, but had to substitute my own (longer by about 1/4-3/8") for the fronts.
Anyway, for USD$56 if they last a couple seasons and reduce some of the spray on the side I'll be happy. They look fine/factory.
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janky (11-14-2016)
#19
Thanks found it on eBay. One more question, does your GL350 have the AMG Sport Package? I see you have running boards like my GLE350. I found out that GLE350 + running boards + AMG Sport Package means MB doesn't make factory mud flaps for my vehicle, bollocks.
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2014 ML350 2w, 2017 GLS550, 1967 Pontiac GTO 4 sp
One trick a colleague mine claims to work well is to heavily spray the wheel wells with silicone spray. He says it helps to keep mud from sticking. Even if it does stick, it'll hose off more easily. I can't testify to the results myself, but he says it works and it's a cheap experiment.
#21
Senior Member
If that question was for me, that's not my GL. Mine is a standard US version GL 350 with factory running boards.
#23
That's true. And honesty I haven't needed mud flaps. Thought I did but have lived without them and I drive my car backpacking and through the snow every weekend in the winter in Tahoe.
#24
Cannot speak for your truck, but I have 2009 GL450 with running boards and I installed MB made front and rear mud flaps on my truck. They fit fine and no modifications were required.
Do not remember the part numbers but they are not available in US, you have to order from overseas where they were offered.
Do not remember the part numbers but they are not available in US, you have to order from overseas where they were offered.