Hi guys
Some of the plastic trim is missing on my side steps and looking a bit tatty. I really don't like them anyways so it's a good time to remove them.
Does anybody know if this process is going to leave any unsightly holes visible. I'm thinking possibly the front mudflaps as the plastic mounding comes up the vehicle slightly.

Stock photo added for reference
Thanks in advance
Mike

if the steps are integrated with the front flaps then you are correct there will be two holes left in the lower panel ..these panels can sometimes be found on ebay... ... - .- -.




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Ok cheers Stan

Two fat bolts on the bottom of each and four off the higher brackets of each plus the wings...

Be prepared for them to snap! Current stable:
2006 BMW M6
2007 4.2 V8 S/C FF
Gone:
2002 4.4 V8 FF

This is one time when you may be glad someone fitted aftermarket side steps! When I bought my car the brackets for the steps were very rusty so I decided to remove them on safety grounds. They fed into the front mudflaps as per the OEM ones (which I thought they were) so I was wondering what to do about the holes in the wings but - result! - when I took them off the mudflaps only had fittings on the inside of the arches... so no unsightly holes.

I prefer the look of the car without steps but in fact it does make entry and exit more difficult, especially for my wife who's relatively short, so I bought a new set of aftermarket but OEM-looking replacements which, with a tiny amount of fettling, fitted into the original mudflaps so I still have no holes in the wings.

Removal and replacement is pretty easy - the chassis is pre-drilled to take the step brackets - inevitably with bolts that have been exposed to the elements under a FF for some time it's removing those that is the hardest part!

If you do have holes in the wings you could probably fill and overspray them - the angle and shape of the plastic covers at that point would help mask any slight difference in paint finish. 2012 TDV8 Westminster in the New Forest

Also: Land Rover Series 3 SWB, Mercedes 280SL, Classic Mini, VW Golf SV
Previously: Audi A8, RR TDV8 Vogue, Audi Allroad, VW Golf GTI Edition 30, Audi A4 Avant, A8 x 2, A4 Sport, A6, VW Golf Mk5, Bora, Golf GTI Mk3, Jetta Mk3 Passat, Jetta Mk1, Golf Mk1