Fender flares

[hawk99gt]

Has anyone installed the GM OEM fender flairs that are being sold on eBay without instructions. I think I can figure it out but I am not sure if I need to add silicone as a added adhesive or just use what it comes with. Looked online and cannot find any instructions anywhere. even on GM's website. No YouTubes, nothing. Here is what I purchased from eBay: https://www.ebay.com/itm/235079656744?_trkparms=amclksrc=ITM&aid=777008&algo=PERSONAL.TOPIC&ao=1&asc=20230811123856&meid=897b5feb50d542449407aaa9a6651922&pid=101770&rk=1&rkt=1&itm=235079656744&pmt=1&noa=1&pg=4375194&algv=RecentlyViewedItemsV2&brand=GM&_trksid=p4375194.c101770.m146925&_trkparms=parentrq:afbe29e518e0ab8eb1ebc2e0ffffbb6e|pageci:07d7c2d4-f383-11ee-8959-663d7f3312fd|iid:1|vlpname:vlp_homepage

 

[Stormin08]

they are relatively simple to install...lay it out and look at it. that said, the 22 up refresh is slightly different. i had a mounting hole location that was incorrect (EGR brand)...but still a GM change. those claim 19-24...and they difference was in mid 22.

see my pic of the front hole, then see what i had to do when i removed them...wet sand to restore the paint, form the mar lines of the flare hitting the body

Misaligned hole, made small tab and placed it behind the liner giving the screw a point to attach

Wet sanded wheel arch to remove MAR lines...this was the 2000 grit stage

Start of the repolish, you can see step one in the lower portion of the fender opening...(slight haze).

 

[hawk99gt]

Thanks for the quick reply. Don’t think I want to wet sand anything on my truck. I just wanted to know, I don’t need to drill actual hole inside the fender well trim? Just line up the clamps where the fender holes are and then use the screws to attach.

 

[hawk99gt]

Oh wait, you have an EGR brand fender. So you won’t know what I am talking about.

 

[Stormin08]

most are the same...mine had clips that grab the fender lip, the flare just pushed into them...screws at the lower corners near the mud flaps.

i wish they would return to screws in the lip...but there isnt much lip to grab. the push clips were always walking.

 

[hawk99gt]

most are the same...mine had clips that grab the fender lip, the flare just pushed into them...screws at the lower corners near the mud flaps.

i wish they would return to screws in the lip...but there isnt much lip to grab. the push clips were always walking.

I think your right about those clips. I saw a Red Rock brand and was surprised to see the same clips that GM provided in the kit. Which had me scratching my head on how to use them when I first pulled them out of the bag. The back fenders went on fine after I figured out the order the clips went in, cause they had 2 different clips. But other than that they are rock solid on there. Just need to figure out the front fender clips. There seems to be a 3rd piece with the 2 that lip into one another that create the clip for the front fender that is in the shape of a flat "T" shape. Other than that the rest of the factory screws in the front line up. So those should not be a problem other than the clip orientation.

 

[hawk99gt]

Well the front clips have become a challenge. I figured out the orientation for the GM clips. The clips for the back side of the fender went in with little problem. But the front take 2 identical clips that are in 2 pieces that slip into one another that are suppose to clip onto the thin portion of the front fender. Well they ain't cooperating. Try to slip them on or clip them on and the shape of the fender trim does not match the clips for them to lock in place. I tried reshaping the u-shape part of the clip a little so that it would fit better, but it just won't clip in and hold. Even if I force it. I hate say if I don't find a solution I maybe going to the dealer just have them install my fronts. I wish I could just find the instructions for this item to make sure that I am doing this correctly.
I will try to search further online for the instructions, there are definitely NO videos for the install of the GM OEM fender flares out there. If I knew they were going to be such a pain I would had gone with after markets. I found all kinds of video and right ups for those. Sorry, old man just venting.

 

[Stormin08]

everyone keeps saying "FACTORY" flare...air designs ???

the factory is a ZR2 only piece, i believe...i had all part numbers, but when i did go that route...most were back ordered.

the GM accessory flares (air design), is great option...and may try those...but i HATE the wing on the rear flares.

 

[Johio]

Well the front clips have become a challenge. I figured out the orientation for the GM clips. The clips for the back side of the fender went in with little problem. But the front take 2 identical clips that are in 2 pieces that slip into one another that are suppose to clip onto the thin portion of the front fender. Well they ain't cooperating. Try to slip them on or clip them on and the shape of the fender trim does not match the clips for them to lock in place. I tried reshaping the u-shape part of the clip a little so that it would fit better, but it just won't clip in and hold. Even if I force it. I hate say if I don't find a solution I maybe going to the dealer just have them install my fronts. I wish I could just find the instructions for this item to make sure that I am doing this correctly.
I will try to search further online for the instructions, there are definitely NO videos for the install of the GM OEM fender flares out there. If I knew they were going to be such a pain I would had gone with after markets. I found all kinds of video and right ups for those. Sorry, old man just venting.

I purchased that exact kit and had the exact problem. Fortunately I started with the front and spent way too many hours between wrestling with the rubber seal that seem molded incorrectly to stay oriented the way it should, and dealing with the clips. I wasn't crazy about putting adhesive on my paint (though was using 3m clear tape to protect paint) but I picked these because the mud flaps could stay. In the end I decided I was not going to install them. I am going to go with either Rough Country Sport Flares, or the Bushwacker (which I had on a 2017 and were nice but $$$).
I wish you luck. I do have instructions if you need them (PM), though they didn't help with the clips that much.
Again, between the seal, the adhesive and clips, I punted...and I have done plenty of mods over the years, this was more hassle than I wanted.

 

[hawk99gt]

everyone keeps saying "FACTORY" flare...air designs ???

the factory is a ZR2 only piece, i believe...i had all part numbers, but when i did go that route...most were back ordered.

the GM accessory flares (air design), is great option...and may try those...but i HATE the wing on the rear flares.

Yeah, I don't know about Air Design being a factory flare. Though it probably just means that you can order them through GM and they fit the Silverado.
But on a side note, I was able to get the instructions from the other seller on eBay who I didn't purchase mine, from. They emailed them to me free of charge. And they mentioned on the newer Refresh Models that the clips used to attach the front fenders may need some modification due to the thickness of the newer fenders on the refreshed Silverado's. Which was a big help cause that's what I was thinking about doing any way.
So I am glad I reached out to that eBay seller.

 

[Stormin08]

Funny you say THICKER when relating to the new sheet metal...these trucks are paper thin, i cant hardly ouch mine when drying or it oil cans

 

[Retoxtony]

I’m also wondering what everyone means by “factory flair”. I assume it’s the Air Design?

Maybe it’s because I’m in Canada but the only flairs the dealer can get for me here are the Rough Country ones that stick out quite a bit and that’s not what I’m going for. If there’s a part number for the “factory flairs” I’d be interested so I can ask my dealer about them. I really need to do something to cut down on rock chips around the wheel wells.

 

[AZ Trail Boss]

Here you are sir.

 

[hawk99gt]

Funny you say THICKER when relating to the new sheet metal...these trucks are paper thin, i cant hardly ouch mine when drying or it oil cans

Not quite sure what you are saying. But what I meant is that the eBayer who told me that these GM Factory fender flares that work on both the Refreshed versions & earlier versions, that they were more intended for the earlier Silverado's (2019-2022) that had a thinner lip on the front portion of the front fender well. Where as my 2023 front fender well wraps around into the bumper/grill which they made a little thicker so the clips have to be bent in order for them to fit properly which I am going to attempt to modify today. In fact here is what he said to me to quote:

"I can also tell you that on newer trucks it seems that the roll on the fender may be wider than it used to be, so the clips may need to be bent out a bit or modified to fit slightly."

 

[hawk99gt]

I purchased that exact kit and had the exact problem. Fortunately I started with the front and spent way too many hours between wrestling with the rubber seal that seem molded incorrectly to stay oriented the way it should, and dealing with the clips. I wasn't crazy about putting adhesive on my paint (though was using 3m clear tape to protect paint) but I picked these because the mud flaps could stay. In the end I decided I was not going to install them. I am going to go with either Rough Country Sport Flares, or the Bushwacker (which I had on a 2017 and were nice but $$$).
I wish you luck. I do have instructions if you need them (PM), though they didn't help with the clips that much.
Again, between the seal, the adhesive and clips, I punted...and I have done plenty of mods over the years, this was more hassle than I wanted.

Thanks for the offer of sending your instructions, but it sounds like I have the same instructions. And as far as the adhesive I think I am going to use a tub and tile clear silicon that I use for indoor outdoor projects that should not harm the paint versus what they recommend in the instructions. Most of the ones I see (fender flares) seem to use either the 3M tape a type of caulk anyway.
I am going to see these through. I do like the look and that I can keep my mudflaps on as well.