View Full Version : MS Side Skirt Install....?
TopGear8 08-25-2008, 07:32 PM So I have the authentic MS front, but i decided to get some replica side skirts. They already fit good so I just need to install them. And no I am not going to go to a body shop because they are trying to charge me over $200. So I will be doing it myself. I know it takes screws on each side, but what have people done on the top? Body shop said they use glue, and I've herd of people using 3M tape. I dont have any brackets or anything...just the skirts.
Ps: They are made out of Urethane...so their not that shitty fiberglass crap.
Thanks
NgoRX8 08-25-2008, 07:49 PM it really depends how well they fit. if they line up with the side of the car you can just use some 3M double sided tape. urethane may sag even with tape, so a bracket holding it up would be useful. it's scary to drill into the side of your car for that though.
Jedi54 08-25-2008, 07:50 PM lots of 3m tape and hope it doesn't sag
05rex8 08-25-2008, 07:51 PM I would just pay the 200 bux and have the body shop do it. If anything happens you can pin it on them. Not worth the headache IMO.
TopGear8 08-25-2008, 07:57 PM ^Yeah well I talked to 2 different body shops. They both told me how they would install it. And they were planning on doing exactly what I would be doing...And they also said they wern't sure how good it would turn out...So i'm pretty sure I will be able to just do it myself.
About the Brackets...Does anyone have a picture of what they look like? I know they come with the authentic MS sides...would I be able to find brackets anywhere?
Rotr8 08-25-2008, 07:57 PM ^^^ +1 and if you have a good relationship with the body shop they will probably make it fit regardless if they go over the $200 qoute without charging ya...
Motomouse 08-25-2008, 08:14 PM the installation hardware for MS side skirts you can buy at onlinemazdaparts.com and its around 65$.
Motomouse 08-25-2008, 08:25 PM call Jason I cant find it over the web site but I read about it few months ago and I think they should have them
NgoRX8 08-25-2008, 08:39 PM brackets would be good as long as you never plan on taking them off.
TopGear8 08-25-2008, 09:05 PM ^Any idea what the brackets look like? I don't want to buy a whole set of brackets from mazda because i'm not sure if they will even work with the replica...Just wondering how they are attached by using brackets, so maybe i could install it a similar way.
NgoRX8 08-25-2008, 09:25 PM they basically hook the sideskirts towards the car. so to take them off you need to lift them off the brackets first, then pull them outward. if you know what i mean, you can picture it.
Razz1 08-25-2008, 10:18 PM L Brackets or go to Ace Hardware to get the metal in a roll. It has holes every so often. Cut to size, bend to shape Screw in to body.
NgoRX8 08-25-2008, 10:22 PM you can do without L shaped. A straight piece drilled onto the lower side would extend up and slightly out as the car's body curves. the top edges of the skirts fit between the bracket and the body of the car.
Razz1 08-25-2008, 11:13 PM If your not mechanicaly inclined. Don't attempt it.
TopGear8 08-25-2008, 11:25 PM So you are saying screw the bracket into the bottom of the skirt(under the car) Then screw the other end of the bracket into the side(rocker panel) of the car. The bracket will extend upward... But when you say the top edges of the skirts fit between the bracket and the body of the car. I'm not sure how that will work out. Here are some pictures of my skirts, if anyone wants to open it in MS paint and draw some pictures of where the bracket goes...feel free :)
And I really appriciate all the help everyone has given me. These may be dumb questions but I want to make sure the installation goes well.
http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb300/sweeper357/CIMG1457.jpg
http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb300/sweeper357/CIMG1458.jpg
http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb300/sweeper357/CIMG1459.jpg
http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb300/sweeper357/CIMG1460.jpg
NgoRX8 08-25-2008, 11:58 PM check out/download the instructions from here
http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?tl0nhabbxsc
it's a lot more complicated than what i described. the method i stated, i have seen work on other other sideskirts. they're all the same though.
my suggestion if you don't want to go through all that, is to try double sided tape first and see how long it holds up. it won't fall off the car or anything since it will be bolted up from the sides. most people just use tape for the sides and it has been fine if the adhesive is strong enough.
TopGear8 08-26-2008, 12:38 AM ^Yeah I have been looking for those instructions. I definitally see what you mean now. Thanks a bunch!
krijpipudht 08-26-2008, 06:32 AM ^Yeah I have been looking for those instructions. I definitally see what you mean now. Thanks a bunch!
I would double-side tape it. Align with wheel liner holes and drill 2 more holes on the skirt both end and fit them with plastic peg (find the peg that longer than OEM mazda one). No drilling to the body.
This peg, but longer one.
http://www.rx8strakes.com/ProductImages/prod_oem_ww_fastener.jpg
That what I am gonna do, when I have one.
I already have front MS. I am looking for replica MS Side (or maybe RE one) too.
Where did you get the great fitment one?
TopGear8 08-26-2008, 02:36 PM ^I got them from G3TR3DDY2GR3DDY. I'm not really sure who they are made by though. But they fit just fine if they are installed correctly.
Jedi54 08-26-2008, 03:08 PM what did the SS cost you?
NgoRX8 08-26-2008, 03:21 PM what did the SS cost you?
no replicas for you, jedi. haha
TopGear8 08-26-2008, 03:24 PM ^Got them for $150. Greddy has another set, that's Authentic! that he is selling. Although it's red :(
G3tR3DDY2GR3DDY 08-26-2008, 03:43 PM i actually may not have those red authentic ones. i do have a set of replica ones like topgear has here... they are urethane i got for a local friend and he never came up with the money to get them painted...
Jedi54 08-26-2008, 03:46 PM no replicas for you, jedi. haha
haha!
nah, just trying to do the math on replica + paint + install. I often wonder how much money is actually saved as opposed to buying the real thing.
Razz1 08-26-2008, 09:38 PM Boku bucks!
TopGear8 08-26-2008, 09:42 PM ^Well all together I have spent $350 on paint/side skirts...And I will be installing them myself...So I saved more than enough money to get my TS hood painted when I finally get it.
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