Comprehensive Front Spat Replacement (Those Broken/Torn Plastic Flaps Under the Front)

12019 Views 23 Replies 16 Participants Last post by blines1, 15 d ago

Flatlander19RT

Discussion Starter · Jan 9, 2021 (Edited)

I looked for a guide to replacing these and couldn't find one, so I am going to make one here for anyone wanting to know how to replace front wheel spats. I believe all Durangos with the SRT fascia have them (correct me if I'm wrong).

Mopar Part Numbers: 68299199AC, 68299198AC

~What are Front Spats? They are these (they often tear and break):

~Starting, each spat is attached with four metal rivets that will need to be drilled out. You may need to jack up the vehicle to get under there with a drill. I had the easiest time removing them by using a 7/32 drill bit and then popping the ends of the rivets off with a flathead screwdriver.

The 7/32 bit.

The drilled out rivet heads.

The broken spat. Notice the two hooks on top that slide into the fascia.

~Then, simply slide in the new spat and reapply new rivets. I did not use metal rivets, but rather some plastic removable expanding screw rivets. They are NAPA brand and are for Ford/Mazda. I'm sure metal rivets are more secure, but these plastic ones hold too tight for me to pull off, and are removable in case they break. Next time I will only need a Phillips head to remove them.

The four plastic screw rivets.

These secure the spats remarkably well, and are removable!

~After completing both sides, you're done!

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EngineerEli

· #2 · Feb 9, 2021

Nice right up, wish I had seen this before stumbling through the same process on my '19 R/T last week... I ended up getting the aluminum pop rivet type clips, they are remarkably secure. You'll have to update this thread if you ever have issues with your clips holding on over weeks and months.

If anyone is interested to know, I've been told these SPAT's are actually indented to guide and direct extra air towards the front brakes.

Reactions: 4

Chase300

· #3 · Feb 9, 2021

Hmmmm, don't think I've ever noticed them before...so as you said must just be on the sport SRT facia.

Flatlander19RT

Discussion Starter · #4 · Feb 9, 2021

EngineerEli said:
Nice right up, wish I had seen this before stumbling through the same process on my '19 R/T last week... I ended up getting the aluminum pop rivet type clips, they are remarkably secure. You'll have to update this thread if you ever have issues with your clips holding on over weeks and months.

If anyone is interested to know, I've been told these SPAT's are actually indented to guide and direct extra air towards the front brakes.

The plastic rivets have held great so far. I even took the Durango off road and in some fields, dropped it into AWD low and went through a muddy field with rocks and dead twigs and stuff. After an extensive wash at the car wash, the spats look good as new still! I just make sure to not hit the curb pr those parking spot barriers too.

Reactions: 1

ZPirate

· #5 · Apr 26, 2021

Very helpful information. I have ordered a set of spats for my D. The driver's side needs to be replaced and I suspect that the passenger side is not far way from needing to be replaced. The spats are scheduled to arrive today.

Urbish

· #6 · Apr 26, 2021

Both of mine snapped off while blasting through deep snow this winter about a week after I bought my DD. I figure if they're that fragile, they aren't meant to be.

Reactions: 2

ZPirate

· #7 · May 2, 2021

Swapped out my front driver side spat yesterday. Not to hard, although drilling out the rivets is kind of a pain and messy. Be sure to wear safety glasses. Flatlander19RT's advice is spot on. 7/32 drill bit is the perfect size for drilling out the rivets. I couldn't find the exact rivet/screws that he used, but I found something similar at NAPA. Mine are slightly larger so I did have to drill out the holes some. Definitely nice to have a screw in the rivet so you can remove it without drilling out the rivets if it needs replacing again.

I'll try to post the information about the exact rivet/screws I used.

Reactions: 2

frictioncircle

· #8 · May 2, 2021

Lol I'm in the ziptie camp...... 😜

Reactions: 1

ZPirate

· #9 · May 3, 2021

frictioncircle said:
Lol I'm in the ziptie camp...... 😜

LOL! Zip ties may work just as well.

61677

· #10 · Aug 10, 2021

Anyone removed them? Any wind noise or anything? With the winter we have here, I think they will either be torn, or will damage the front end.

Reactions: 1

Urbish

· #11 · Aug 10, 2021

jeffauclair said:
Anyone removed them? Any wind noise or anything? With the winter we have here, I think they will either be torn, or will damage the front end.

One of mine was torn half way off when I bought the DD at 18k miles. They both ripped off while driving through deep snow. I didn't bother to replace them. They seem to make no difference at all.

Reactions: 1

Vice-White

· #12 · Aug 10, 2021

Looks like they are used to direct airflow to help cool brakes. Without them the airflow under the car is super low pressure meaning not much air flow so these are needed to direct air.
Mustangs a few years ago had over heasting condition caused by the new floor design of the Mustang. Adding air flow directors fixed it at least that is what I recall.

Reactions: 1

Urbish

· #13 · Aug 10, 2021

Unless you are racing your DD, you probably don't need them. I pulled my TT through the Appalacian Mountains without the spats and didn't have any brake fade. Might be different on some of those long downhill runs out west.

Reactions: 2

MoparCityRango1

· #14 · Jan 17, 2022

This is actually great and just what I was looking for! Thanks for the write up!

Reactions: 2

rmadrid31

· #15 · Jan 28, 2022

Flatlander19RT said:
I looked for a guide to replacing these and couldn't find one, so I am going to make one here for anyone wanting to know how to replace front wheel spats. I believe all Durangos with the SRT fascia have them (correct me if I'm wrong).

Mopar Part Numbers: 68299199AC, 68299198AC

~What are Front Spats? They are these (they often tear and break):
View attachment 113044

~Starting, each spat is attached with four metal rivets that will need to be drilled out. You may need to jack up the vehicle to get under there with a drill. I had the easiest time removing them by using a 7/32 drill bit and then popping the ends of the rivets off with a flathead screwdriver.
View attachment 113045 The 7/32 bit. View attachment 113046 The drilled out rivet heads.

View attachment 113047 The broken spat. Notice the two hooks on top that slide into the fascia.

~Then, simply slide in the new spat and reapply new rivets. I did not use metal rivets, but rather some plastic removable expanding screw rivets. They are NAPA brand and are for Ford/Mazda. I'm sure metal rivets are more secure, but these plastic ones hold too tight for me to pull off, and are removable in case they break. Next time I will only need a Phillips head to remove them.

View attachment 113048 View attachment 113049 The four plastic screw rivets.

View attachment 115088 These secure the spats remarkably well, and are removable!

~After completing both sides, you're done!

View attachment 113050

Thanks for the info. I’m having trouble finding the fasteners though

Urbish

· #16 · Jan 28, 2022

rmadrid31 said:
Thanks for the info. I’m having trouble finding the fasteners though

I bought this plastic rivet installation tool that came with an assortment of compatible plastic rivets. Although I didn't bother buying and attaching new spats, the rivets were necessary when removing my front and rear bumper covers for a trailer hitch install and front push bar install.

macfan82

· #17 · 10 mo ago

Thanks for the write up. Mine snapped off reading the R/T lol.

mhkpilot

· #18 · 10 mo ago

frictioncircle said:
Lol I'm in the ziptie camp...... 😜

Zip Ties actually wouldn't work as well because there's no opening to loop the tie back through; there's only 1 hole. I suppose you could drill another hold next to the original hole (and through the Stat) to loop it through, or loop it between the panels, but both of those options would be more work and time consuming than just putting in plastic screw in rivets, and it would require actually drilling into the bodywork which I'm not sure a lot of guys are going to want to do. But hey. Go for it.

Reactions: 1

frictioncircle

· #19 · 10 mo ago

I went through hole and back of flat panel..worked fine for a year...

Reactions: 1

Urbish

· #20 · 10 mo ago

The places where I tore mine off still look exactly the same, 1.5 years later.

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