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Old 06-28-2017, 07:14 PM   #1
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Default RoadTrek "Ground Effect" airdam removal

As we are all aware, the front bumper is covered with a plastic airdam or "ground effect" which severely reduces clearance when approaching curbs, etc. Mine has some severe cracks and I would like to hear from anyone who has either modified this, or has removed it entirely.

I would like to retain the gray plastic covering over the original chrome bumper and simply cut off the portion which drops underneath.

I would appreciate any thoughts or advice.

Thanks,
John
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Old 06-29-2017, 02:19 AM   #2
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John, FWIW, I remember when RT didn't have all the plastic around it. I believe it is really there to enhancer the look, without it, you see pipes, tanks, etc. So I guess cutting it off wouldn't be all that bad. Ron
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Old 11-18-2017, 09:34 PM   #3
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Originally Posted by JohnnyFry View Post
As we are all aware, the front bumper is covered with a plastic airdam or "ground effect" which severely reduces clearance when approaching curbs, etc. Mine has some severe cracks and I would like to hear from anyone who has either modified this, or has removed it entirely.

I would like to retain the gray plastic covering over the original chrome bumper and simply cut off the portion which drops underneath.

I would appreciate any thoughts or advice.

Thanks,
John
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So there is NO ONE who has ever removed the front air dam? PLEASE can you post some guidance on how to? Like the black front upper bumper cover that runs above the bumper, how is that attached? How is the air dam attached to the the chrome bumper, rivets or double sided tape? A little help would sure be appreciated here. Thanks. Best. Shorty sends...
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Old 11-19-2017, 06:38 AM   #4
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I looked like it was a removable cover to me. You'll have to get underneath it to see and do the work.

Here's a comparison- a lifted 4WD 190 on the left without and my lifted 2WD 210 on the right with-

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Old 11-19-2017, 11:29 AM   #5
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I looked like it was a removable cover to me. You'll have to get underneath it to see and do the work.

Here's a comparison- a lifted 4WD 190 on the left without and my lifted 2WD 210 on the right with-

Hondo, thanks for taking the time to reply. I have been under the vehicle and there is NO visible sign on how the upper bumper cover is attached nor is there any sign on how the air dam is attached either. The only exception is two vertically mounted rivets on the front fender bottom holding the air dam onto what appears to be the bumper. I will take picture at first light and attache to this post. However there has to be more attachment points on the air dam that would run horizontally across the vehicle front. No visible sign though of this is noted. BTW both vehicles in your jpg look great and that lifted rig looks AWESOME! Best. Shorty sends...
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Old 11-19-2017, 01:00 PM   #6
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Default How is this piece removed

Can you help? How is the upper bumper cover depicted in the jpeg effectively removed as the first step in removing the air dam? I have looked from underneath the vehicle and their are not visible attachment points.

Thanks. Best. Shorty sends...
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File Type: jpg Front Bumper Cover Removal.jpg (130.6 KB, 47 views)
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Old 11-19-2017, 02:18 PM   #7
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I'll look at mine later this afternoon.
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Old 11-20-2017, 12:26 AM   #8
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Not going to get to it today...

I will try tomorrow morning.
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Old 11-20-2017, 04:54 PM   #9
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It looks like the air dam & bumper cover are one unit on my 2006 210.

I took a few photos, there are a bunch of these snap in attachment points that seem to fasten the cover to the bumper-



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Old 11-20-2017, 05:58 PM   #10
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It looks like the air dam & bumper cover are one unit on my 2006 210.

I took a few photos, there are a bunch of these snap in attachment points that seem to fasten the cover to the bumper-



Hondo, thanks for taking the time. I am now equipped with the knowledge to rid myself of the air dam after any road damage. My 2014 190P looks different than your application. Don't you just love standardization? Thanks agian for your time. Best. Shorty sends...
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Old 07-01-2019, 02:16 AM   #11
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Have our 2nd 210, this one is a 2005 and ground clearance is squat, no pun intended. Put Firestone airbags on the back, Moog heavier springs on front, and gained about 2". Still not enough for the front air dam, so I made it history. For those who want to remove it, there are 5 pop rivets and double sticky tape. The tape is between the back of the painted air dam and the two of the chrome bumper. There are two rivets in the front wheel wells that can easily drilled out with about an 1/8 drill bit. The fifth is in the center underneath the middle of the air dam pointing up into the black plastic original air dam.
After removing the rivets. use a small crow bar and start at a wheel well and start prying off the top under the black top cover. You will be tearing the double stick tape apart, so just work around and finally it will come off. BTY remove license plate first!!! A paint scraper and goof off and elbow grease will clean up the chrome bumper. Can't tell the damn dam was ever there!!
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Old 07-01-2019, 02:26 AM   #12
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Have our 2nd 210, this one is a 2005 and ground clearance is squat, no pun intended. Put Firestone airbags on the back, Moog heavier springs on front, and gained about 2". Still not enough for the front air dam, so I made it history. For those who want to remove it, there are 5 pop rivets and double sticky tape. The tape is between the back of the painted air dam and the two of the chrome bumper. There are two rivets in the front wheel wells that can easily drilled out with about an 1/8 drill bit. The fifth is in the center underneath the middle of the air dam pointing up into the black plastic original air dam.
After removing the rivets. use a small crow bar and start at a wheel well and start prying off the top under the black top cover. You will be tearing the double stick tape apart, so just work around and finally it will come off. BTY remove license plate first!!! A paint scraper and goof off and elbow grease will clean up the chrome bumper. Can't tell the damn dam was ever there!!
Welcome to the forum 210 addict!

Yeah. I understand the front air dam can reduce undercarriage air turbulence and make the rv more aerodynamic (perhaps an oxymoron), but it is in the way and is really on there for looks. My Airstream Avenue dam is less pronounced than your Roadtrek, so I live with it. But like you, have considered that if it ever got damaged I would not replace it. That sucker would be gone.
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Old 07-01-2019, 01:46 PM   #13
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I see that there is continued interest in this subject 2 years later! Update: I did remove mine to reveal a pristine virgin chrome bumper! It was not a big job since a couple of the side attachment points had given way already. The major holding power comes from adhesive, either double sided tape or other adhesive. The trick here is a hair dryer. Just keep pulling and apply the hair dryer and it should come off cleanly. Mine was an unsalvageable mess so it went directly into the dumpster. The plastic topper for the bumper which forms a step was also loose. It is held in place by plastic clips which protrude through a slot. I was able to thread a couple of sheet metal screws through the protruding plastic to securely hold it in place.
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Old 07-01-2019, 08:01 PM   #14
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And bonus...there is a license plate attachment under there!
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Old 07-02-2019, 10:25 AM   #15
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... My 2014 190P looks different than your application. Don't you just love standardization? ....
Standardization?

I have a 2006 Mini Cooper. Friggin' love the thing. It is a four wheel motorcycle that has a back seat so the girlfriend can come along. The dogs sit up front.

The only problem is that it is British. None of my tools fit.

Just wait until a fuse fails. Someone drunk Brit drew little symbols for the fuses. I don't speak or write British so finding a particular fuse can be a real treat. I've resorted to schematics. Once you figure out what fuse it is, you go back to the symbol and sit for a good two or three minutes staring at it and wondering.

Anyway ... with respect to standardization: I needed to change out the Mini's battery. Open the hood. No battery. WTF. Look in the "boot". Nothing. Huh? Go to the internet. Google is my friend. Seems there are three different places in that year and model where one might find the battery. Apparently I found it as I've been driving it. Darn if I remember where the battery is located.

I am having so much fun with standardization and my Mini that I bought a Roadtrek.

Need to put a front plate on. Ohio required it long enough for me to drill four holes in the front bumper. Then Ohio decided I didn't need a front plate any more. Ohio can be like that.

Trying to figure it out led me to the realization that Canadians must have the same engineering gene that they have in the UK. The bumper holes might be here. Might be there. Say you have a Mercedes? (God no.) Dodge? (God no.) Eventually I found someone with my year, my model, hell, my color. The plate is on even though I no longer need it.

Winterizing my 190P for the first time. That little valve next to the bass speaker? I don't have one. Well, actually, I do. Just that it is under the bass speaker. Consider for a bit how long a new owner must search to find a valve that was placed about one inch to the south and ended up hidden under a speaker.

Standardization? That's funny.

Anyone know where I can order a plate that says: Screw you Ohio?

Steve
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