How to Install Mud Flaps on a Semi

Truck mud flaps are legally required on commercial vehicles. They wear out, become damaged over time and you have to replace them. For utmost effectiveness, replace stock mud flaps with a hanging weight and stabilizer bar. You can install mud flaps on a semi in about an hour.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Replace the stock hangers. Factory mud flap hangers are flimsy and easily broken. Replace them with a heavy-duty custom mud flap setup. Remove the cotter pin from the hinge. Pull the stock hanger out of the bracket housing. Remove the bolts from the bracket housing that attach to the frame.

2. Determine the hanger's height. If the holes don't match, mark the location of the studs on the new hanger frame. Match the bolts to a drill bit for width. Drill out the holes using a high tensile drill bit. Spray the contact point with penetrating oil as you drill to avoid damaging the bit. If you have difficulty, switch to a smaller bit and drill a pilot hole first. Finish drilling out the pilot with the correct sized bit.

3. Bolt the mud flap hanger into place. Push down on the hanger to reveal the safety plate inside the spring. Hold the hanger down securely and remove the plate. Slowly move the hanger back into place. This releases the spring into the correct position.

4. Install the stabilizer bars by bolting them into place. They are necessary to keep the weighted mud flap from catching on the rear axle tires, possibly causing damage.

5. Bolt the mud flap weight to the bottom of the mud flap. This weight keeps the mud flap from blowing uselessly in the air when the truck is moving.

6. Slide the mud flap into place. You must start at the base of the stabilizer bar and move upward. Otherwise, the bolts will get in your way. Mark the hole position and remove the mud flaps.

7. Drill your installation holes, and then re-thread the mud flap into place. Bolt securely with the nut facing the tires.

Tips & Warnings

• Never push down on the hanger before bolting it to the truck. If the spring releases prematurely, you can ruin the hanger.
• When removing the safety plate from the hanger, hold the hanger tightly. The spring is powerful and can injure you if it snaps shut on your fingers.

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on 5/13/2009 Howtostartadumptruckbusiness.comDumptruckbizhelp.com