The 401 ate my Splash Shield

[borts]

Coming back from Montreal I was cruising along at a certain speed when my splash shield flew off my Mazda 3 and was promptly run over by a transport truck. I just had an oil change done prior to my trip, and have a feeling it may have not been properly reinstalled.

My question is does this shield serve any function other than keeping the engine compartment clean? And should I replace it? I realize these shields cause a lot of grief for their owners and it seems there not worth the hassle.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[m_a_t_r_i_x]

they are there for a purpose, if you still have warranty have it replace at the dealership.

[mazda lover]

they are there for a purpose, if you still have warranty have it replace at the dealership.

warranty will not cover the replacment. If the people who changed your took the shield off to get to the filter they might have not bolted it down properly or at all, that would be the only reason it came off. Go after them.

[sp3GT]

Mine is broken as well, I tried getting it through warranty. That did not work, those things go for about $120 bucks.
Mine is sorta hanging there.

[WeatherB]

Go back to the place that changed your oil (which was hopefully the dealership).

[Dave_The_BMXER]

When I bought my car that shield was not in place. I don't know how long it has been gone for but I have not noticed any issues from it.

From what I have read they sound like more of a pain in the ass than anything and at my height the previous owner probably bashed it all to hell anyhow.

[p-o-g-i]

....and at my height the previous owner probably bashed it all to hell anyhow.

I'll admit your ride is hella low, but looks sweet!!!! I'm sure the guard was an issue with your ride height.

[LockOut]

I took my car to Dave Woods Mazda a few weeks ago, to get an oil change... They said that the guard was cracked and had to be replaced. They did it under warranty (I didn't even know that I still had warranty left in the car! hahaha), it was no hassle at all. I was actually expecting to pay for it, but when I went to pay for the oil change, they said it was done through warranty...

[ZoomBoom]

ok I just did my first oil change on my 3, I bought this used with 80,000kms on it, the splash shield has a big whole cut in it to access the filter, I dont mind that cause it saved me from taking the shield off. BUT now i jsut bought a Cold AIR intake and now i have to remove the shield to install the cai, my splash shield bolts were totally rusted on, I try'd to unscrew and like 5 outta 7 snapped right off, I ended up ripping the whole damn thing off, now its winter and im worried about crap splashing up there and getting all salty and rusting under the hood.. Has anyone else ripped there damn thing off ? or just me lol should i replace it? leave it? i checked into it and mazda recalled the bolts that hold it in place because of rust and they say they will give u new ones for free but guess what I hack'd mine off, seriously i used a hacksaw, lol, and cut it away from the seized, rusted bolts

[b]

I am not replacing mine when it goes again. I'll just have the broken pc's taken off.

[jaimie08mazda3]

i paid the 177$ it cost to fix the damn thing. pissed me off. but i paid it.

[Halogen]

Get it replaced somehow. My friends car was wrecked after running through a deep puddle in the rain. It killed the engine, so be warned.

I would figure that you could crack a splash sheild if you bottem out hard enough on the road, or hit a hazard while driving (hard ice or snow boulders).

ZoomBoom - You could rebore the holes and use a tap screw to set new bolts in, not that easy especially in the cold, but still possible.

What prevents rust from forming ?

[Fayvir]

Sorry for reviving an old thread, but I just cracked my splash shield as well..was dropping off a friend at his place and ran a ditch/pothole that was way too deep for my car :(
So what's the update of these things? Still $180 for the part?

And i got scratches under the front bumper as well..anyway to fix those?

[c7lee]

(bump)

anything local besides going to the dealer?

awaiting a quote so I'll post how much they are charging

[cwp_sedan]

(bump)

anything local besides going to the dealer?

awaiting a quote so I'll post how much they are charging

Unless you get one from a wreckers, the dealer is your ONLY option. Expect to pay around $100-130 for it.