cracked wheel fender

[wally2117]

Hi, I'm having issue with one side wheel fender that is cracked with the screw holes. See the pics. I think the screws were overtightened at factory. Is there a common issue and how I can have it replaced? thank you.

[BabyBober]

It is a 2014 unit. Try contacting GD "maybe" it might still be under the 3 year structural warranty but personally I wouldn't think a trim piece would be considered structure. Bottom line, I think you are forced to order the part and replace it. Seems like a simple fix..

[Steve7]

Look up "Rv Wheel Replacemet Skirt" on the internet and you will find several companies that sell them. I would keep the slightly cracked one after replacement in case you ever need it though.

[Jerryr]

Personally I would just reinforce te back side of each screw hole with fiberglass cloth and lay it up with epoxy. It wouldn't look pretty on the back side but it's out of sight. Also reinforce the cracked areas to eliminate the crack from spreading.

Epoxy rather than Poly Resin because resin may not adhere well to the plastic.

I've used this repair technique to repair plastic panel overlays on general aviation aircraft with great success.

If you go with a new skirt I would still do the same to all screw holes before installing.

[Big Mike]

I would also check the aluminum supports that hold the skirt in place...seems like there was movement that suddenly helped that skirt to crack.

Big Mike

[minnow101]

I think I remember reading at some point that another person used rubber washers on the backside of the skirt to keep the holes from cracking. If that works, they would be a low-tech/low labor way to keep the new panel from cracking.

[John612]

Had the same problem, borrowed idea from Ray Burr http://www.loveyourrv.com/cracked-fi...fender-repair/.
Here's what mine looked like; cracks worse than his so in addition to putting sealant & washer behind each hole, I gorilla glued a 3"x 5" piece of flat plastic in back to make it stronger. (sorry don't pics of that.)

I used bonded sealing washers behind the screw head to provide support for the fender and reduce chance of screw being sucked into the plastic when tightening it. Make sure your chuck is turned down to ~3.

Of course several screw holes stripped out, so I used these drywall screws as replacements. They worked great and coarse threads made it quick work.

Repainted the screw heads black since I couldn't get a good match on the OEM paint.

Job may not survive a magnifying glass inspection, but works fine for me

[TucsonJim]

I'd recommend all owners remove the screws from their plastic fenders and install washers between the screw head and the fender to spread the load. A tightly torqued screw and thin head will almost always lead to over penetration and a crack.

Jim

[Cate&Rob]

I think I remember reading at some point that another person used rubber washers on the backside of the skirt to keep the holes from cracking. If that works, they would be a low-tech/low labor way to keep the new panel from cracking.

I have these cracks too . . . but, I think Minnow101 has the right idea. The holes through the skirt need to be supported behind the skirt. Because of the flange on the skirt molding, there is space behind the screw location that allows the screw to pull the skirt in far enough to split.

Rob

[Jerryr]

I’ve repaired aircraft plastic panel overlays that cracked around holes. I laid up some fiberglass cloth on the back with 3m epoxy. Best epoxy out there but probobly overkill for this application. Epoxy resins are a better choice than using fiberglass resins because fiberglass resin may not adhear or cure properly on some plastic.

This 3M product is expensive but it works great.
https://www.amazon.com/3M-Scotch-Wel...ustomerReviews