[Brad99]

Has anyone Installed their own Wheel Arch Moldings? I would think it should be fairly simple - either being Snap on or push on with a bit of adhesive. I would like to save the installation charges if possible. The dealer I'm buying the car from won't waive the install charge. Any advise or help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[AWDFTW]

Plenty of threads on this.

 

[Flat6Brick]

Pretty straight forward installation. Once you get the WAMs on the first wheel the rest are easy. Save your money and follow the instructions, and you'll be okay.

 

[Pathpounder]

Mine are sitting on the dining room table while my wife is on a road trip to her dads. Downloaded the instructions and looks pretty simple. Mine just have a rubber seal and clips that need to be attached. Not expecting any issues. Downloaded instructions from subaruonlineparts.

 

[WoodB]

Just did it last weekend, piece of cake.

 

[OBnube]

Lining up the 3M tabs was the hardest thing for me. They are barely bigger than the clips. A little patience with the line up and the rest is straight forward and not difficult.

 

[PghSubie15]

I was thinking about removing mine. It came with them from the factory, and I'm afraid they might hold dirt and moisture behind them and cause rust. Not sure yet, I'm not in any real rush to do it.

 

[2017Outback256]

Here's instructions for the wheel arches (non-USDM). View attachment JDM_WHEEL_ARCHES(1).pdf

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[bcblues]

I was thinking about removing mine. It came with them from the factory, and I'm afraid they might hold dirt and moisture behind them and cause rust. Not sure yet, I'm not in any real rush to do it.

That is why I do not have them on mine!

 

[2017Outback256]

Trying again. Looks broke on my first post. View attachment JDM_WHEEL_ARCHES(1).pdf

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[PghSubie15]

So just an FYI to anyone who is thinking about installing wheel arch moldings or already has them. I removed my wheel arch moldings today (they were factory installed) and there was A TON of dirt and sand and grit behind them. I regularly wash my OB (like once a week) and I don't off road it. I could easily see these moldings causing rust in the long term.

So I'm leaving mine off, and if my car didn't come with them, I wouldn't install them. I'll probably keep mine just in case I would ever want them again, but I don't see that happening.

 

[OBnube]

I thought about that too but where do you stop? Fender liners? Plastic body/door cladding? Roof rails? Radiator cowling? I'm being sarcastic but not completely.

 

[bluzrider]

One of the clips that is used to attach the arch molding to the inside of the wheel well at the highest point got knocked off. Anyone have an extra one? I went by the Subaru dealer and of course you have to buy the entire arch molding kit ($400) if you want the clips... That's not gonna happen! Thanks.

 

[xbrandonx]

Auto zone and the like have various clips and connectors. I'd check there.

 

[Marc Hufnagel]

Sure. Took about 45 minutes and I was taking my time with it.

 

[2017Outback256]

Go to a body shop and ask. I had to have work done on my car with the JDM fender well trim and they told me that those same clips are used across Subarus line of vehicles. Your parts guy is a douche.

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[DrCloud]

I did mine yesterday, and it was easier than I'd thought it would be.


However, Subaru would be smart to pre-drill the underside lips of the wheel arches (before they dip the whole thing in the paint baths) and then provide more screws and the threaded clips as fasteners. They'd be lots more secure that way. Those pop-on clips seem flimsy. HPH