What are these things? - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

billberry12 · 09-23-2009, 05:25 PM

While rolling down the interstate yesterday, I heard a a flapping noise like a tire was about to lose its tread. I stopped and inspected things to find out that a little black rubber mud flap looking thing located in FRONT of the rear tires had partially come aloose and was rubbing the tire. I jerked on it and removed it. Got up this morning and took a closer look. One of the screws that holds it on had worked free I guess, and I didn't have another one, so I removed both of these flaps from each side. Do these serve any real purpose? Should I go to the trouble of replacing them? They are so small I can't imagine any use for them.

billberry12 · 09-24-2009, 07:23 PM

Come on people. Does anyone know what I'm talking about?

asphalt victory · 09-24-2009, 08:22 PM

its a guard to stop the sand kicked up from your moving tires from sandblasting your paint i would put it back in with a stainless screw

billberry12 · 09-24-2009, 08:52 PM

Sand? What sand? I don't understand.

asphalt victory · 09-25-2009, 01:43 AM

when your car is mooving along the sticky hot rubber tires on your car pick up everything that is on the road ( sand glass pavement) and when it spins it releases the sand (ect) up at the car removing the paint therefore steel without paint will rust rot and eventual the car will become worthless

ever drive behind someone whose car is kicking up rocks and dirt well that is happening to the your car when your driving

billberry12 · 09-25-2009, 06:47 AM

I understand that, and have splash gaurd/mudflaps on all four wheelwells for that. These things I am talking about are in the front of the rear tire wheelewells. I can't imagine how anything can sling to the front when the car is going forward. Just puzzelling to me.

asphalt victory · 09-25-2009, 01:09 PM

so your saying its more under the door?

jkg065 · 09-25-2009, 03:10 PM

Aerodynamic deflector to channel air around the tires! There should be a pair in front of both front tires.

billberry12 · 09-25-2009, 05:13 PM

Thank you for that explanation.

I have them in front of the rear tires. I haven't checked the front. I guess from what you are saying, they should be in front of all four tires huh?

Again, thanks. That reason makes sense. I couldn't imagine what they were there for.

Kellc1 · 10-05-2009, 02:11 PM

I had one of those break on my '07. $38.00 for a new one. Ha ha ha