GL Class (X164) 2007-2012: GL320CDI, GL420CDI, GL450, GL550

Front mud flaps with running boards?

Old Nov 8, 2011 | 09:13 PM
  #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

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Old Nov 10, 2011 | 08:21 AM
  #2  
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Can't be done. only way to have them on is to get rid of the running boards and put the nerf bars on instead.
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Old Nov 15, 2011 | 01:24 AM
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I had my dealer install them and they were only able to install the rears due to the running boards.
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Old Nov 15, 2011 | 11:51 AM
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Do you have a pic of your GL with just the rears on? Was thinking of just putting the rears on my GL450


Originally Posted by dbtk
I had my dealer install them and they were only able to install the rears due to the running boards.
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Old Nov 15, 2011 | 03:16 PM
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Originally Posted by ObssedOne
Do you have a pic of your GL with just the rears on? Was thinking of just putting the rears on my GL450
I don't see the point of that.
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Old Nov 16, 2011 | 10:34 AM
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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
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Old Nov 16, 2011 | 07:21 PM
  #7  
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In the winter I tow a small trailer with two snowmobiles.


Originally Posted by ddcha
I don't see the point of that.
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Old Nov 16, 2011 | 09:45 PM
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Mud flaps - Front

Has anyone tried to modify the MB OEM Front mud flaps to fit even with the running boards?
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Old Nov 17, 2011 | 09:28 AM
  #9  
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Here's a photo of the mudflaps on the rear.
Attached Thumbnails Front mud flaps with running boards?-gl-mudflaps.jpg  
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Old Oct 30, 2012 | 02:16 PM
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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....
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Old Oct 31, 2012 | 12:39 AM
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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
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Old Oct 31, 2012 | 01:16 AM
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Originally Posted by msamji
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
Interesting..... Have pics to share?
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Old Oct 31, 2012 | 02:23 AM
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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.
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Old Oct 31, 2012 | 10:35 PM
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This is what you are looking for.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2006-2011-Me...61df93&vxp=mtr
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Old Nov 16, 2015 | 03:55 PM
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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.
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Old Nov 16, 2015 | 10:17 PM
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Just an excuse to post a slightly muddy GL

Front mud flaps with running boards?-93baa8e9-5aaf-4804-858e-519d5c98d021_zpsdwyhbqch.jpg
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Old Nov 13, 2016 | 02:19 PM
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Do you have the link of the product you purchased for $56?

Originally Posted by sak335
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.
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Old Nov 14, 2016 | 11:58 AM
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Search eBay item number 151683392180
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Old Nov 14, 2016 | 04:50 PM
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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.

Originally Posted by sak335
Search eBay item number 151683392180
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Old Nov 14, 2016 | 07:48 PM
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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.
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Old Nov 14, 2016 | 09:30 PM
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If that question was for me, that's not my GL. Mine is a standard US version GL 350 with factory running boards.





Originally Posted by janky
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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Old Jul 9, 2019 | 12:48 PM
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2016 gl550 awd
2015 gl550 mud flaps with running boards

is it true you can not add mud flaps to this car - 2015 gl550 mud flaps with running boards ?
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Old Jul 9, 2019 | 01:24 PM
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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.
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Old Jul 9, 2019 | 01:50 PM
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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.
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