Install Mud flaps for ML?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: boston area
ml430
Install Mud flaps for ML?
Hello,
I have an ML430 and just purchased some mud flaps from the dealer. I did not receive any instructions. has anyone done this or have instructions they want to share. or can someone point me to where I can get the instructions.
thanx bunch
00 ml430 with only 25k miles
almost ready to sell (I love the G's)
I have an ML430 and just purchased some mud flaps from the dealer. I did not receive any instructions. has anyone done this or have instructions they want to share. or can someone point me to where I can get the instructions.
thanx bunch
00 ml430 with only 25k miles
almost ready to sell (I love the G's)
Senior Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 398
Likes: 1
From: In A Van Down By The River
2014 RX 350 F Sport, 2007 Scion tC, 2000 ML 430 Money Pit Finally Gone! Oh Happy Day!
Senior Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 398
Likes: 1
From: In A Van Down By The River
2014 RX 350 F Sport, 2007 Scion tC, 2000 ML 430 Money Pit Finally Gone! Oh Happy Day!
Originally Posted by ml320_2001
I did see very few ML's with Mud Flaps .. I dont have any.. What is the deal with Mudflaps do they really have to be installed to save your Vehicle??
Member
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 146
Likes: 0
From: Central VA, USA
'01 ML430, '03 C320 Coupe MT, '14 GL450
Originally Posted by benzboy
The real question is...Why do it in the first place??? 
To be more considerate of your fellow road users (less likely to throw stones).
I wish it was law here in the US, like someone reported about Oz...
I've had mud flaps installed on every vehicle that I have ever owned.
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Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
From: Springfield, Penna
2001 CLK430 Conv. 2000 ML320 61.5K, 1992 SL300 (sold), 1998 Jaguar XJ6 (sold)
I see lots of ML's with mud flaps. I think it might be the area one lives in. If your in a 4 wheeler in a warm climate (which we all know the amazing fact of people buying of 4 X 4's in good climates?) and never do any driving on dirty or bad roads, then maybe no need. But if your in a snowy climate or on bad roads/ off roading, they do serve a real purpose. The design is v. good and no chance of them falling off. I have them on my ML and Jag. They work great (and in MHO look good) and keep a lot of grap off the car.
Last edited by bruce hat; Oct 23, 2004 at 07:07 PM. Reason: grammer
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
From: Springfield, Penna
2001 CLK430 Conv. 2000 ML320 61.5K, 1992 SL300 (sold), 1998 Jaguar XJ6 (sold)
BTW, Three56a, you might want to return the flaps to the dealer, and purchase them from "performance products" - you'll save about $140.00. My dealer wanted $75.00 per flap, Total $300.00 Performance wants $160.00 for the same set of four orig mercedes flaps with all the mounting hardware. Just a thought.
http://www.performanceproducts.com/
http://www.performanceproducts.com/
Last edited by bruce hat; Oct 23, 2004 at 07:15 PM. Reason: grammer
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 44
Likes: 8
From: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
ML350 BlueTec
Depending on where you live and how you drive your vehicle (i.e. off-road or on) there are different reasons. Here the highways departments use a lot of pea gravel for treating the roads when the snow comes. These stones take a beating out of the lower sides of the truck and when thrown at the car behind they make for wicked windshield chips. If you are going to go off-road then you would likely not want the molded flaps since they will not bend like a soft flap would when making contact with the ground.
To determine if they are of value go to the local mall and find an ML without flaps, preferably an older one, and look at the lower sides of the panels (especially right behind the wheels) for any damage.
When I bought my ML the flaps were not available for several months. As a result my lower panels have lots of rock chips. :-(
To determine if they are of value go to the local mall and find an ML without flaps, preferably an older one, and look at the lower sides of the panels (especially right behind the wheels) for any damage.
When I bought my ML the flaps were not available for several months. As a result my lower panels have lots of rock chips. :-(
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 630
Likes: 14
Originally Posted by SchneiderIS
They have been on my ML for over 2 years and have not fallen off. Anyone thinking that they wood really needs to think it through.
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: NC
99 ML430
hmm try 230$ from proformance..
http://www.performanceproducts.com/P...producttype=20
http://www.performanceproducts.com/P...producttype=20
Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 92
Likes: 2
From: British Columbia Canada, Elko Nevada USA
2002 ML500,2005 Toyota 4Runner, 2006 F150 King Ranch, Kawasaki ZX1400 Ninja, 1978 Jeep CJ7
I bought a set of genuine Mercedes flaps for about $200. I think the install kit was another $30 for all the proper hardware. The main thing to keeping them on without hassles, is to get the wheel well/fender surfaces as clean as possible. I also gave the surfaces where the sticky tapes attach a wipe with alcohol, just to be sure there was no wax or oil on the surface. Before I installed them, I had nothing but negative comments from many people, techs, mechanic wannabees etc, yet so far with all the wild winter we have had here in north central British Columbia......no problems at all. As SchneiderIS mentioned, we have the same sand and gravel issues, and for our climates and roads, you need them for general road/highway driving, unless you like getting your rocker panels, door bottoms etc painted each year. I can understand about off-roading, sure they would take a beating and maybe come off, but for us, it's a must have if you care about your cars. My Audi has them as well, and almost due for a new set, since the rocks have almost wore the flaps right through!. I aslo installed my own 3M headlight covering, that nice thick rubbery material that lets the rocks bounce off, instead of blasting your headlight covers apart, and thats another great product, at least for us.
Last edited by WienerWater; Dec 11, 2004 at 12:05 AM.
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Salem, OR
ML320, 2001 and BMW, 1995
Mud flaps
I installed after market flaps on my new ML320, because I live in a rural area with dirt and gravel roads. My suggestion:
1. Place the right side flap up to the fender about one inch below the first bottom fender seam. Does is match and conform to the wheel well with enough lip to screw the flap to the fender? If ok, next step.
2. Go back to the dealer or your local auto parts dealer for 3/4 inch plastic screws with formed washer. Don't use metal.
3. I jacked up the rear wheels in order to have room to work with drill and screw driver.
4. Place flap as in #1, but this time clamp the flap securely into place. Double check outside contour and under the fender. I also walked back from the rear about 20 feet and looked to see that the flap bottom edge was flush with the ground. You don't want the flap to hang ****eyed. Using an ice pick poke thru the rubber flap through to the plastic fender. Move the ice pick enough to etch the location for at least three screws. My screws were about 3 to 3 1/2 inches along the edge of the fender.
5. Look at the etched marks on the fender edge. Besure there is sufficient space to drill holes as there is about 3/4 inches of lip on the inside fender.
6. Take you electric drill, matching bit to size of screw and drill holes. You can have confidence that the holes will match because you have checked the measurements.
7. Place the flap to the fender matching the holes up and dive in the screw.
8. Repeat process to left side.
9. Was'nt that easy.
10. When you hit those big mud puddles you can be sumg and proud that the rear fender panel will not be caked.
Best wishes.
1. Place the right side flap up to the fender about one inch below the first bottom fender seam. Does is match and conform to the wheel well with enough lip to screw the flap to the fender? If ok, next step.
2. Go back to the dealer or your local auto parts dealer for 3/4 inch plastic screws with formed washer. Don't use metal.
3. I jacked up the rear wheels in order to have room to work with drill and screw driver.
4. Place flap as in #1, but this time clamp the flap securely into place. Double check outside contour and under the fender. I also walked back from the rear about 20 feet and looked to see that the flap bottom edge was flush with the ground. You don't want the flap to hang ****eyed. Using an ice pick poke thru the rubber flap through to the plastic fender. Move the ice pick enough to etch the location for at least three screws. My screws were about 3 to 3 1/2 inches along the edge of the fender.
5. Look at the etched marks on the fender edge. Besure there is sufficient space to drill holes as there is about 3/4 inches of lip on the inside fender.
6. Take you electric drill, matching bit to size of screw and drill holes. You can have confidence that the holes will match because you have checked the measurements.
7. Place the flap to the fender matching the holes up and dive in the screw.
8. Repeat process to left side.
9. Was'nt that easy.
10. When you hit those big mud puddles you can be sumg and proud that the rear fender panel will not be caked.
Best wishes.
Member
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 150
Likes: 2
From: atlanta
1999 ML430
I've had the factory mudflaps on my ML since new..and granted they do a fine job of protecting the rocker panels and rear bumper from damage. My ML still looks new, especially compared to early ML's without the mudflaps.
However, they are a bad design. First off they are hard plastic, if you catch a curb or a stump somethings gonna give, and it ain't going to be pretty. I would much prefer a rubber compound with some 'give'.
I haven't had this problem but some folks who drive in a lot of snow have complained about snow/ice building up in the recess of both front and rear flaps. I'm sure mud would also accumulate there.
The mounting design is ridiculous. Nuts/screws/clips/plastic poprivets, and don't forget the retaining cables for the rears in case they decide to fall off.
The fronts are particularly aggrevating for me due to the little 'nub' that is suppose to keep the flap flush with the body. For many years there was always a little gap..say 1/8 of an inch...You could push it in but it would never stay. After pricing another left front flap, which was astronomical...I got creative and used a very thin plastic wire tie secured around the little nub and then routed under one of the lower bracket bolts for the door. Works like a charm !!
As much as I love my ML, there are a few items that were of poor design....the mudflaps being one of them........
However, they are a bad design. First off they are hard plastic, if you catch a curb or a stump somethings gonna give, and it ain't going to be pretty. I would much prefer a rubber compound with some 'give'.
I haven't had this problem but some folks who drive in a lot of snow have complained about snow/ice building up in the recess of both front and rear flaps. I'm sure mud would also accumulate there.
The mounting design is ridiculous. Nuts/screws/clips/plastic poprivets, and don't forget the retaining cables for the rears in case they decide to fall off.
The fronts are particularly aggrevating for me due to the little 'nub' that is suppose to keep the flap flush with the body. For many years there was always a little gap..say 1/8 of an inch...You could push it in but it would never stay. After pricing another left front flap, which was astronomical...I got creative and used a very thin plastic wire tie secured around the little nub and then routed under one of the lower bracket bolts for the door. Works like a charm !!
As much as I love my ML, there are a few items that were of poor design....the mudflaps being one of them........
Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 92
Likes: 2
From: British Columbia Canada, Elko Nevada USA
2002 ML500,2005 Toyota 4Runner, 2006 F150 King Ranch, Kawasaki ZX1400 Ninja, 1978 Jeep CJ7
Another tip, at least for snow and ice gathering, I always liberally spray the inner faces with a coat of clear tire shine/protector. It helps the accumulations basically fall off with a very light tap to the flaps, even in -15 weather. I also totally agree that they are a wimpy installation technique, and can see them not staying around long if off roading etc. But for basic driving on highways laden with 1/4" sand like we have up north, they are well worth it, instead of sandblasting the sides of the vehicle in the winter. It's a personal thing, some need them, others hate them, depending on your driving conditions.
Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
From: On an island in Washington State
1999 Mercedes Benz SL500 & 2009 E350 4Matic Wagon
Mud Flaps
I have just installed a set of rear mud flaps on our 2001 ML and it is easy. I got them from the dealer and they came with no instructions, nor did they have a clue as to how they should be installed??? It is not hard but you have to be a little creative as to where to attach the anchor cable from the flaps. There is a stud sticking down from the underside of the body floor that just reaches the cable -- I decided this is where it should attached it. I installed them because it is the law in Washington State if the rear bumper is higher than the mid-point of the rear axle.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: boston area
ml430
mud flaps installed! thanx a bunch
hello group,
Yes i finally got my flaps installed. it did take some ingenuity, design and more parts from the local hardware store. but it all worked nicely.
thanx to the group
00 ML430
Yes i finally got my flaps installed. it did take some ingenuity, design and more parts from the local hardware store. but it all worked nicely.
thanx to the group
00 ML430
