Few Questions that need answers

#2: Do what you want! Whatever makes you happy is best.:thumbsup: I prefer mine off even though I had them on for almost 5 years. As far as other concerns related to this, it won't stop any rocks from getting flung behind you. Besides, even the American-made vehicles don't have mudflaps (well, a few do now but most don't and neither do the SUV's which have the same rear clearance behind the tires). Our mudflaps are just too high to stop rocks from flying out of the tread at pavement level. All they do is keep dirt/rock/mud off the rear fender. But I will say that with all the rock flinging I do (AT Tires will do that), I've only gotten a couple chips behind the missing front flaps (and I even got one with the mudflaps on) and absolutely ZERO on the rear. In fact, I still get more rock chips on the hood than anywhere else!

#3: You first need to spray them out really good (power washer or strong garden hose pressure). Let them dry. Then spray them with chain lube, not WD40. WD40 is NOT a lubricant, only a water displacer (that's what the WD in the name stands for) even though we tend to use it for that purpose because of its thin penetrating properties. Chain lube will penetrate like the WD40 but actually contains a lubricant. It also tends to stick around longer (this is what I use on my mountain bike chain because it's designed to help keep the dirt out). I was spraying mine at least twice a year with the WD40. Once I did some research, I switched over to the chain lube and learned first-hand that it lasts over a year before they start squeaking again. And that's with a lot of driving on dusty/dirty forest roads in the summer and rain/snow in the winter.