Any Tips or Things I Should Know Before Installing OEM WRX Rear Lip Kit?

clsmooth71 · 04-22-2003, 09:29 PM

Hi everyone,

I just picked up a new, OEM rear lip kit for my WRX and am wondering if there is anything I should know before I install it. I glanced over the supplied instructions, and the procedure seems fairly straightforward. I was surprised to find out that some drilling is required though (to mount the center piece).

Anyways, if any of you has installed your own OEM rear kit and has any tips, warnings, etc, I'd greatly appreciate it!

Peace

CL

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StarDogChampion · 04-23-2003, 11:51 AM

i had to buy some more heavy duty velcro because the supplied velcro did not hold the side pieces on tight to the bumper. i just took off the old and added the new.

clsmooth71 · 04-23-2003, 12:02 PM

Hi StarDog,

Good timing...just logged on and would have been waay disappointed to see no replies. Thanks for not leaving me hanging!

The supplied velcro does look pretty ineffective. I don't think I've ever seen this type of velcro--rigid plastic instead of the usual fabric type. I guess I'll go pick some heavy duty ones later today. Any suggestions on where to track the stuff down?

Peace

CL

kenchan · 04-23-2003, 02:48 PM

Its effective alright if you mount it correctly. make sure
your surface is clean and warm enough for the adhesive.

I use RC car nitro spray (motor spray) to degrease the surface
before taping it on.

the US front lip was trickier than the rear valance.
wear goggles when you're looking up into the rear bumper.

clsmooth71 · 04-24-2003, 03:31 PM

kenchan,

Thanks for your input. I just have one more question about mounting the black, center piece of the OEM rear underspoiler/lip kit.

The supplied instructions show a step, which seems like it tells you to trim off and discard (PIC of the part & a trash can next to it) one of the the mounting tabs on the underspoiler's center piece. Only thing is, in a step later on, the directions call for securing the center piece by inserting a screw through the tab (which would not be there anymore).

Can you please help clarify? It seems a little odd to me to trim off the mounting tab, esp since it is not pre-scored. If the tab wasn't necessary, Subaru should have just left it off in the first place!

Thanks in advance,

CL

kenchan · 04-24-2003, 04:31 PM

PM'ed.

oh yah, you may want to trim some of that foam on the
center section too as it makes the center piece bulge out
on the right hand side. i trimmed off a good 1/2in..enough
to have some friction with the rear bumper, but not so much
to bulge it out.

StarDogChampion · 04-24-2003, 05:42 PM

Come to think of it, I didnt replace the velcro...the rigid velcro is a hell of a lot stronger than the fabric kind anyway..
What I did have to do was buy some more of the double sided adhesive (the thuff that you pull the red backing off of) (HOME DEPOT) as the sides of the rear did not fit up tight to the bumper, it kind of bubbled out. EVEN THOUGH IT WAS INSTALLED CORRECTLY, it still bubbled out.

I did this about 8 months ago, I cant remember exactly what I did, sorry. what i do remember is that i had to get 4 rear sets because the rear sides kept coming to me all scratched up. I finally got the rear on at least a month after the front and sides...now it fits perfect, tight to the bumper and i have had no problems at all...and i cut the tabs off of the rear center piece, after the screw.

Hope this helps...you may not have to use anything but what was supplied, but its good to have the stuff handy if you need it.

WRXThis · 04-25-2003, 12:56 AM

I am about to redo my rear OEM lip install. What a pain in the butt that install was. Something that looks so easy is actually very frustrating.

Anyone know where I can source that plastic velcro at??

kenchan · 04-25-2003, 10:57 AM

why dont you just use mounting tape instead and make it
more of a permanent fix?

the side pieces are somewhat not contoured correctly so
some may have problems with it popping off later...but
with a tad bit of heatgun (if needed) you can re contour it
to match the curve of the rear bumper.

heatgun is your friend.

note: i did not have to use a heatgun on the rear sides.
only the front.

jagcars26 · 04-25-2003, 12:18 PM

Mine went on ok no probs,, 1 other suggestion,,two people ,extra set of eyes and hands always helps get things lined up right.

Rudy

04-22-2003, 09:29 PM	#1
clsmooth71 Scooby Specialist Member#: 15552 Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: No place like home! Vehicle: '87 Hutch TRICKSTAR babyblue on pinkTuff II's	Any Tips or Things I Should Know Before Installing OEM WRX Rear Lip Kit? Hi everyone, I just picked up a new, OEM rear lip kit for my WRX and am wondering if there is anything I should know before I install it. I glanced over the supplied instructions, and the procedure seems fairly straightforward. I was surprised to find out that some drilling is required though (to mount the center piece). Anyways, if any of you has installed your own OEM rear kit and has any tips, warnings, etc, I'd greatly appreciate it! Peace CL * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

04-23-2003, 11:51 AM	#2
StarDogChampion Scooby Specialist Member#: 10276 Join Date: Sep 2001 Vehicle: 2001 Impreza RS 2002 WRX, 2012 535i	i had to buy some more heavy duty velcro because the supplied velcro did not hold the side pieces on tight to the bumper. i just took off the old and added the new. Last edited by StarDogChampion; 04-24-2003 at 05:30 PM.

04-23-2003, 12:02 PM	#3
clsmooth71 Scooby Specialist Member#: 15552 Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: No place like home! Vehicle: '87 Hutch TRICKSTAR babyblue on pinkTuff II's	Thanks! Hi StarDog, Good timing...just logged on and would have been waay disappointed to see no replies. Thanks for not leaving me hanging! The supplied velcro does look pretty ineffective. I don't think I've ever seen this type of velcro--rigid plastic instead of the usual fabric type. I guess I'll go pick some heavy duty ones later today. Any suggestions on where to track the stuff down? Peace CL

04-24-2003, 03:31 PM	#5
clsmooth71 Scooby Specialist Member#: 15552 Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: No place like home! Vehicle: '87 Hutch TRICKSTAR babyblue on pinkTuff II's	One More ? kenchan, Thanks for your input. I just have one more question about mounting the black, center piece of the OEM rear underspoiler/lip kit. The supplied instructions show a step, which seems like it tells you to trim off and discard (PIC of the part & a trash can next to it) one of the the mounting tabs on the underspoiler's center piece. Only thing is, in a step later on, the directions call for securing the center piece by inserting a screw through the tab (which would not be there anymore). Can you please help clarify? It seems a little odd to me to trim off the mounting tab, esp since it is not pre-scored. If the tab wasn't necessary, Subaru should have just left it off in the first place! Thanks in advance, CL

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04-23-2003, 02:48 PM	#4
kenchan Scooby Guru Member#: 15106 Join Date: Feb 2002	Its effective alright if you mount it correctly. make sure your surface is clean and warm enough for the adhesive. I use RC car nitro spray (motor spray) to degrease the surface before taping it on. the US front lip was trickier than the rear valance. wear goggles when you're looking up into the rear bumper.

04-24-2003, 04:31 PM	#6
kenchan Scooby Guru Member#: 15106 Join Date: Feb 2002	PM'ed. oh yah, you may want to trim some of that foam on the center section too as it makes the center piece bulge out on the right hand side. i trimmed off a good 1/2in..enough to have some friction with the rear bumper, but not so much to bulge it out.

04-24-2003, 05:42 PM	#7
StarDogChampion Scooby Specialist Member#: 10276 Join Date: Sep 2001 Vehicle: 2001 Impreza RS 2002 WRX, 2012 535i	Come to think of it, I didnt replace the velcro...the rigid velcro is a hell of a lot stronger than the fabric kind anyway.. What I did have to do was buy some more of the double sided adhesive (the thuff that you pull the red backing off of) (HOME DEPOT) as the sides of the rear did not fit up tight to the bumper, it kind of bubbled out. EVEN THOUGH IT WAS INSTALLED CORRECTLY, it still bubbled out. I did this about 8 months ago, I cant remember exactly what I did, sorry. what i do remember is that i had to get 4 rear sets because the rear sides kept coming to me all scratched up. I finally got the rear on at least a month after the front and sides...now it fits perfect, tight to the bumper and i have had no problems at all...and i cut the tabs off of the rear center piece, after the screw. Hope this helps...you may not have to use anything but what was supplied, but its good to have the stuff handy if you need it.

04-25-2003, 12:56 AM	#8
WRXThis Scooby Specialist Member#: 3960 Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Denver, CO	I am about to redo my rear OEM lip install. What a pain in the butt that install was. Something that looks so easy is actually very frustrating. Anyone know where I can source that plastic velcro at??

04-25-2003, 10:57 AM	#9
kenchan Scooby Guru Member#: 15106 Join Date: Feb 2002	why dont you just use mounting tape instead and make it more of a permanent fix? the side pieces are somewhat not contoured correctly so some may have problems with it popping off later...but with a tad bit of heatgun (if needed) you can re contour it to match the curve of the rear bumper. heatgun is your friend. note: i did not have to use a heatgun on the rear sides. only the front.

04-25-2003, 12:18 PM	#10
jagcars26 Scooby Specialist Member#: 2394 Join Date: Sep 2000 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Bel Air Md. Vehicle: 2005 Legacy GT wagon 2009 Forester X	Mine went on ok no probs,, 1 other suggestion,,two people ,extra set of eyes and hands always helps get things lined up right. Rudy

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