What kind of splash shields are usually under the front of a second gen legacy?

 

Driving around in the slush today and the car started making funny noises. I checked when I got home and there was god only knows how much slush packed up under the front end. It was all over the suspension, axles, lower cross member, and packed up behind the radiator so much that it had both fans jammed.

 

Problem is I never see any cars in the junkyard with splash shields still under them so I have no idea what is supposed to be there. Any help?

Never had any issues with the radiator/fan... it just blocks the lower bumper/foglights full of snow slush. This is in my 1998 legacy L

 

As for the wheels/suspension. Gets absolutely PACKED with slush. To the point where I have almost not been able to move my car after the slush froze. (clutch dump) Always kick it out and loosen it if you plan on parking for awhile in freezing temps...:-\

 

I've noticed the mudguard/splashguard actually helps hold the slush in the wheel well. If you took those off I think it would be better.. But the person driving behind you (not that there are usually any in snow:banana:) might get pissed:rolleyes:

 

Concerned about the fans blocking though.. how much slush were you driving in...

Depends on the model I think. Some came without. I know the Forester's have them and probably the Outback's as well but the regular L models often don't.

 

Sometimes it's hard to tell since they get discarded very often.

 

GD

There's about an inch an a half on the roads in some places.

I don't care so much about it being packed up behind the wheels, but all over the front and bottom of the engine and in the cross member where the steering rack is... that kinda bothers me. The fans won't run in weather this cold but I don't want to have to deal with a blocked radiator.

 

I think I'll try and fab up a shield of some sort to put under there. Maybe galvanized sheet metal? I wonder how well it would hold up?

Just my 2 cents, but I'm a believer in the skid plates and splash guards past rigs have had... makes it bear to work on the rig from below but as the OP has referanced, will keep lots of spray and corruption where they're not wanted.

They can be a nuisance but I always replace them when I've had to take one off.

My 2000 OBW has one. It extends from the radiator to just behind the oil pan. It has a removeable section that makes oil changes easy without having to remove the entire splashguard. Cost about $120 new.

There is no rhyme or reason to who has them and who doesnt. Personally i think some of them get "lost" at the dealerships. Alot of them get lost in deep snow or wheelin.

 

 

nipper

My 2000 OBW has one. It extends from the radiator to just behind the oil pan. It has a removeable section that makes oil changes easy without having to remove the entire splashguard. Cost about $120 new.

That's what I figured I would try to make. Something that goes from the radiator to the jack plate under the lower cross member, and have a section I can easily remove or hinge down to get to the oil drain plug and filter. I just don't want snow/slush packed up in the radiator and accessory belt area. That's asking for real trouble.