I was wondering if was relatively easy to replace the front splitter? Any tips or advice for easier replacment?
Thanks,
RK
Thanks,
RK
Easy to Replace the Front Splitter?
- Thread starter RKGT
- Start date
BlackICE
GT Owner
SteveA
GT Owner/B.O.D
shelbyelite
PERMANENTLY BANNED
- May 10, 2007
- 1
Very easy. Like the posts above, getting the car off the ground will be the hardest part. Past that its just a few bolts and two push grommets
My question would be "why are you replacing it?" If you have bumped it against something, even slightly, you will also want to order the three front supports, as they bend fairly easily with front splitter contact with any immovable object, and it is easier to pop three new ones in than to try and bend them back to their original shape: and you may not know what that precise shape is unless you have a new one in hand. For whatever my opinion is worth, and it is a fairly easy task, as are most items on these cars.
Pete S.
If the front supports are bent, can it be determined visually? I have the frown thing going in the front and thought someone had said most likely caused by the supports being bent, but they look straight, and I even ran my fingers on them and didn't feel any bend/kinks.... Any other thoughts? thx
GTED
GTED
BlackICE
GT Owner
My car had a rusty washer shimming the middle support. Bought the car new from a dealer, so my best guess is that was from the factory that way. I replaced it with a nylon washer to retain the correct shape. Not what I would expect from the best car ever made by an American car company.
The frown is the sign of slightly bent supports, and I cannot tell by looking at one if it is bent. The cost for new supports is minimal, and in case you didn't know, the through holes on the supports are elongated as they are slightly adjustable. Hopefully you have an '06 grille, or late '05, without the screen. You do not need to remove the front splitter to replace these 3 supports, unless you have the early "05.
Pete S.
bonehead
GT Owner
Anyone have a pic of the supports and their relationship to the front splitter? The frown on mine has been bugging me for a long time. From my understanding, replacing the splitter won't fix the problem unless these supports are changed out as well?? Ford parts has these listed for $143 each (I think. Doesn't say they come in set of 3). New splitter is $450. Not much of a price differential. I'd rather just get a new splitter if that would fix the problem.
The supports are ~6" long and constructed pretty much exactly like the stand-off rods you can see under the clamshell. In the late 2005 and all 2006 cars (with the open grill), you can feel these rods as they are located immediately behind the vertical supports of the grill. If you really scrape the front splitter, you can bend or even break the ends off of these vertical supports. With the splitter off, they are easy to get to and straighten/replace as needed.
bonehead
GT Owner
Thanks Kendall. I have a very early '05, so I have the front grill. So, replacing these supports should fix the 'frown' issue? If so, the second problem is sourcing the parts. I haven't contacted my local dealer yet, but I'm not too optimistic with them. Ford Parts has them listed on backorder (which I assume to mean NLA). Any idea where I can source these?
fjpikul
GT Owner
Bonehead, if I remember correctly, some of the splitters just needed to lay in the sun to straighten out a bit. Should be easy in Houston.
Yes, some splitters can stubbornly stay frowned. I would recommend removing it and then repair/replace any struts that are bent or broken. You can rig up some blocks and weights and set it in the sun with a pronounced "smile" and hopefully it will retain that shape after installation. (It WILL spring back - that's why you want to try to over-do the smile a bit.)
donnymac
Defered Ajudication
You reminded me, I still have splitter repairs to do from the Austin rally.
fjpikul
GT Owner
2112
Blue/white 06'
donnymac
Defered Ajudication
donnymac
Defered Ajudication
PL510*Jeff
Well-known member
an FYI - I complained about the frown in a replacement front splitter years ago. Ford Parts sent another one. Frown was even more pronounced. By chance I asked either Jamal or Rich, don't remember which one, and was told the frown is there on purpose. Allows the "right" amount of air to enter the underfloor area for the various front, side and rear spoilers to do their "job" better. For once a frown is a good thing .