Removing mud flaps

ripplyuk

I’ve had problems before with the left rear mud flap half falling off whenever I’d drive over a bump. The mechanic put a bolt in the bottom attaching to the bumper to hold it on. But now the top clips have fallen apart again and I’m fed up with it so I decided to remove both rear mudflaps. Does anyone know what screwdriver I need? The screws have a square in the middle.

Would it be better to ask the garage to replace them? I’d prefer not to have to pay for this but I don’t want to risk damaging the car.

GrumpyDil

Probably best to post a close up picture.

ripplyuk

This is the one that is not hanging off. The other one had no screws left at the top.

CliveOfIndia

As above, a picture is worth 1000 words.

But you say it's got a square in the head - square or hexagon? I'm thinking maybe a standard Allen head? Either that, or it may be one of those pop-out clips rather than a screw? They're very common on many trim parts.

chrisw

Allen key possibly but more likely star/torx bit.

ripplyuk

Thank you. I might have an Allen key somewhere so I’ll try that. In the photo, they look round rather than square but maybe that’s just rust.

MyRealNameToo

You get Security Torx and TTap that are similarish but have a post in the middle but in both cases the post is round not square.

Never heard of any screw with a square post in the middle, in theory someone could have created something but for securing mudflaps its sounding a lot of cost and inconvenience for no benefit

daveyjp

If you don't have the right torx tool, cut a slot in the head and use a screwdriver.

GrumpyDil

They look suspiciously like torx fittings.

Mildly_Miffed

They USED TO BE Torx, but now they're… well, scrap.

Cut 'em off.

angrycrow

Most likely torx T20 but they are a bit rusty. For best chance of getting them out without rounding them off scrape out any muck with a Sharpe pick before inserting the torx bit.