GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

Well I installed my GM splash guards today. I really didn't want to put them on but I was already starting to notice little rock chips (280 miles). They look ok. I wish I could paint them to match the rest of the car. May look a little better that way. All in all I guess they will provide some decent protection at a cheap price. I hated drilling into the rear molding though. If anyone wants some pics let me know and I will be more than happy to snap a few.

quote:Well I installed my GM splash guards today. I really didn't want to put them on but I was already starting to notice little rock chips (280 miles). They look ok.I put mine on before last winter and it was a good thing I did or I would have had some serious knicks from all the road gravel and rock salt they use around here. They may not look beautiful, but they will help make your lower exterior last alot longer.quote:I wish I could paint them to match the rest of the car.A couple members have painted their flaps and they look good.. don't know how long they would last however. Depends on which type of paint they use and how it's prepped.quote:If anyone wants some pics let me know and I will be more than happy to snap a few. We're all about pics! Feel free to post them if you desire.Also keep in mind, for the monotone members, GM has a Service Bulletin out to replace the area in front of the rear wheels (where you see the clear tape) if you notice that has become discolored. Mine is discolored and I will be taking it in for replacement in the coming month. This is replacement of the tape only - not the cladding itself.For the two-tone owners, I believe there will be a Service Bulletin out issuing the 2003 cladding issue (scraped/worn away lower cladding) soon. I'll have more info on this in the upcoming week. It should be VERY promising.

keep us posted....thx

I was thinking of getting the mudflaps, but if the cladding is replaced with the 04 style, would the front mudlfaps still fit? I was just wondering if there would be an issue with them fitting if I had the 04 cladding installed.

quote:I was thinking of getting the mudflaps, but if the cladding is replaced with the 04 style, would the front mudlfaps still fit? I was just wondering if there would be an issue with them fitting if I had the 04 cladding installed.No, with the modified cladding, the current mudflaps will not work. I was told they are still currently working on releasing modified front mudflaps to compensate for the 04 design change.

Thanks for the info Nick. I wanted to order a set of the mudflaps, but I'll hold off for a while. I also want to order a set of the vent visors (I think they looked real nice on Geo's Shadow).

yikes....just put mine on a little while ago....so would they compensate for me too as they didnt come w/ the car?i really like them...they make the car look lower too.....keeps it clean much much longer too!

quote:Jeff Strausser told me the fronts will work, but the backs will be different I believe.. Or vice versa. 1 will def work. The fronts would not work since the new lower rocker extension is directly behind the front wheel, not the rear wheel. The rear flaps will remain untouched.

quote:yikes....just put mine on a little while ago....so would they compensate for me too as they didnt come w/ the car?Hmm.. I would say no, but I will verify.

quote: I wish I could paint them to match the rest of the car. May look a little better that way. I'm painting mine right now. One the work will be completed, I'll post some pics.

quote:For the two-tone owners, I believe there will be a Service Bulletin out issuing the 2003 cladding issue (scraped/worn away lower cladding) soon. I'll have more info on this in the upcoming week. It should be VERY promising.OHH???? What kinda TSB are we talking about? Like, REPLACEMENT???

quote:Go to the dealer and if you have a "sand blasting effect" on your cladding, they will replace Rocker Panel Cladding to the new 2004 design and will replace the lower cladding on the Doors... (removed) that's awesome! Can't wait for this one to come out!

I imagine this will come out in Canada too? We use tonnes of gravel here for the roads...be nice if they just changed them for us northern folk.

Does your lower cladding have to be in bad shape to get it replaced under the TSB service notice? I don't notice any problems with mine, but if they want to give me new ones I don't mind!

I drove throught a gravel road the other day ( about 500m or so ) and I notice some significant sand-blast on my claddings ( front and rear ) Luckily, no damage was done thoughNow, my Vibe is still very new, so there are not nicks on my claddings yet, but I do drive a lot on highways, so something's bound to happen later on.If GM is willing to do something about this.... can I go into my dealer say 6 months later and have the problem fixed ? Since my car is still very much in "brand-new" shape now.bTW, is there a comparison pic for the new and old designs ?thanks

quote:bTW, is there a comparison pic for the new and old designs ?Here you go:

quote:Looks like there is a color difference with the lower rocker panel cladding.Actually it was the lighting. Both pics were taken at different times of the day and also one was a little dirty, as you can see. I checked and they do match.

looks more flared w/ a wider stance...i wonder how the car as a whole looks w/ that cladding....any full pics?

quote:looks more flared w/ a wider stance...i wonder how the car as a whole looks w/ that cladding....any full pics?One was taken on an S/C Vibe with the new extension. Here is the link to the pic:http://www.genvibe.com/images/meets/200 ... lding1.jpg

How difficult is it to install the Pontiac splach guards?

quote:Fronts or backs? I forgot, but you have to drill a couple holes to put the screws into for one of the sets.The rear flaps require drilling.

And to answer the question actually asked - it's dead easy to install them yourself -- I did both sets in about 1.5 hours, and that was taking time to get the push nuts out properly.Front ones you just need to remove the push nuts, and install the flaps with the new ones provided.Rears you have to remove the wheels, pop out one of the push nuts, and drill one hole into the cladding for one push nut they call a "christmas tree".Then just put the wheels back on.Simple, easy, protects the body, and looks half-decent too :->

Hey Anynone know if the SPLASH GUARDS for the 04 vibe has been released??? If yes, can some one give us the GM part #....Thanks,Jeff

quote:Hey Anynone know if the SPLASH GUARDS for the 04 vibe has been released??? If yes, can some one give us the GM part #....Not yet.. we're still waiting for these to be released. I'm hoping to get more info this week on the time frame.

I will have to remove mine... After the 2.5" drop, the front mud guard is at 2.5" from the ground and it it the ground very often.On almost every speed bump I can hear the scratching sound of the mud flap hitting the bump.

When the 04 guards are available, I'm going to cut mine down so that they just stick 1-2" down from the body...

The dealer installed mine... I really don't have any problems with my mud guards... I only got the backside guards 'cause my vibe is an 04.Maybe their is a problem with the way you installed them....

How much did your dealer charge you for the install?

10CAN$ by pair..... So all 4 will 20$ and they are warranty for 3 years 'cause de dealer installed them.

It's easy but you do have to drill 4 holes for the rear ones. This is best done by removing the rear wheels. The jack is excellent and easy to use on the Vibe. The fronts don't require drilling but remember they don't fit an '04. I put on the rears in about 1/2 hour and returned the fronts for a refund.