fender flare separating

LarryD-THOR

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 8, 2020
Messages
240
Location
Bradenton
this happening to anyone else? Its on both sides. Think this is.a Thor issue or a ford issue?
 

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Those flares are installed by the final stage manufacturer (Thor). Including the bumper and steps. Time to contact Thor.
 
this happening to anyone else? Its on both sides. Think this is.a Thor issue or a ford issue?

Yep. Trying to figure out how to add more screws on the fender side and will probably add some quality adhesive sealant as well. My separation is as pronounced as yours but will grow for sure.
 
called Thor, looks like Im SOL

out of warrantee so not covered. Fortunately it doesnt look like a difficult fix. have to drop or at least partially remove inner fender liner. Im considering after market flares anyway.
 
I’d be interested to see what you go with. I’m trying to fabricate my own front mud flaps from the stock rear mud flaps. Just need to decide how to attach. Might be a good combined .
 
Yes, I have this problem also. For now mine is the slide trim corners. Both Proflex and Flex Glue were recommended for bonding in the thread I posted.
 
I just applied a little dicor to the seam. So far so good noticed first separation about 2 yrs ago on 2017 thor axis.
 
Happening from day one

Day I went to pick my unit up in Florida last year in July it was happening. Brand new unit. Drove to factory and they did a repair, by the time I made it to Montana it separated again, been in service for 4 months on warranty issues, including the separation again.

I’ll let you know how it goes on round two. It sucks because I lose those months of warranty coverage since it’s been sitting at dealership.
 
They all do and always will

They separated 1 yr after purchase and now are separating one two years after I had it painted! That's what they do.
 
Happened to us in Christmas trip. Made a helluva racket drivers side front. Used Flex seal in the tube until I could figure it out. Anyway noticed the screws were were rusty just like around taillight areas. Replaced screws, and with flex seal solid no issues.
 
Had the same problem on my 2020 ACE. I used clear Proflex. I cleaned everything really well with mineral spirits and then alcohol before applying the Proflex. I also used masking tape on the flare and the sidewalls, leaving only the area exposed where I wanted the Proflex. Masking tape allows you to smooth out the bead without making a mess.

I am not really good a caulking so I have to use all the help I can get (masking tape). The result looks better than the sloppy job they did at Thor.
 
Had the same problem on my 2020 ACE. I used clear Proflex. I cleaned everything really well with mineral spirits and then alcohol before applying the Proflex. I also used masking tape on the flare and the sidewalls, leaving only the area exposed where I wanted the Proflex. Masking tape allows you to smooth out the bead without making a mess.

I am not really good a caulking so I have to use all the help I can get (masking tape). The result looks better than the sloppy job they did at Thor.

Im not sure if proflex is like silicone. If it is after you apply a bead get a spray bottle of water and spray the bead. Than spread the bead with your finger. This will keep it from smearing all over the place and get a clean look
 
Proflex is not silicone based but you can smooth it out like silicone. You have to work quickly and remove the masking tape quickly as well because Proflex tacks up faster than silicone but than it takes a week or better to fully cure.
 
can't tell by your picture if yours are similar to mine....
but after a blow out damaged one of mine, I ordered a replacement from Thor and installed it myself. The plastic part was not even close to a perfect fit. Just flimsy plastic that had warped and twisted, probably due to pressure in shipping and store &/or thermal expansion/contraction.

regardless, mine in very large part are only mounted with adhesive. Where mine puckered like that, I used some sort of adhesive...can't remember for sure which one..3M 5200 perhaps....squirted a bit in after cleaning, taped it tight, probably propped something against it to clamp it into place while the adhesive cured...several years later and that is one of the few parts on the rig that haven't given me any more trouble!
 
I’d be interested to see what you go with. I’m trying to fabricate my own front mud flaps from the stock rear mud flaps. Just need to decide how to attach. Might be a good combined .

I purchased a 3 x 4 x 1/2 inch sheet of horse mat from Rural king. They are thick rubber and can be cut. I cut them to the size I wanted and screwed them into the existing metal ones. I also used it to make large mud guards off the rear bumper.

https://www.ruralking.com/catalog/product/view/id/132836
 
this happening to anyone else? Its on both sides. Think this is.a Thor issue or a ford issue?

I just got finished waxing my unit the other day and noticed the passenger side separating. Did not go into it yet, but I thought all I had to do is clean up the existing silicone and glue it back in then reseal it.
Is there more to it?
 
I just got finished waxing my unit the other day and noticed the passenger side separating. Did not go into it yet, but I thought all I had to do is clean up the existing silicone and glue it back in then reseal it.
Is there more to it?


I noticed the silicone also lifting on the flares of my 2020 SV34 as well when I winterized it. That's on my list of things to do in May when I get back north.
 

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