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View Full Version : That thing that hangs down in front. What is it?


zr271cuda
05-10-2010, 03:54 PM
Ok now that I have your attention, :rofl: What is that plastic thing that hangs down under the front end that rubs on every parking curb and sidewalk that I pull up to. It sounds bad when I pull up and even worse when it catches when I go to pull away. Im tired of all the looks that I get when it makes that horrible sound. Can I remove it or does it serve a purpose?
justbob
05-10-2010, 03:58 PM
Air catcher from what I understand
Phrog_gunner
05-10-2010, 04:04 PM
It's the front air dam. I don't know exactly what it is intended to do with the airflow underneath the car, but I promise you the engineers wouldn't have wasted .03 cents of plastic if they didn't think it was necessary. Instead of removing it, I would just not pull up so far when I parked.
Mac-MerC
05-10-2010, 04:04 PM
dont drive up on the curb... that should solve ya problem
they put it there for a reason... so it must serve some kind of purpose
Mac-MerC
05-10-2010, 04:05 PM
Phrog u are so smart
Phrog_gunner
05-10-2010, 04:06 PM
Phrog u are so smart

Naw, I just copied what you were thinking. ;)
musclemerc
05-10-2010, 04:08 PM
If your that bad at parking someone use to sell them here made from diamond plate aluminum. Paint it black.
ctrlraven
05-10-2010, 04:11 PM
Serves the purpose of helping to direct the air that comes in the lower air dam and keeps it there to pass into the radiator. If it wasn't there then the air would come in and go down underneath the car and not help direct the air into the radiator for cooling purposes.
SC Cheesehead
05-10-2010, 04:12 PM
If your that bad at parking someone use to sell them here made from diamond plate aluminum. Paint it black.

yeah, Rich (magindat) used to sell them.

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=37510&highlight=diamond+plate
Bluerauder
05-10-2010, 04:28 PM
Serves the purpose of helping to direct the air that comes in the lower air dam and keeps it there to pass into the radiator. If it wasn't there then the air would come in and go down underneath the car and not help direct the air into the radiator for cooling purposes.

Yep, the air dam forces the air upward so it can enter the radiator for cooling purposes. Removing the air dam will probably make the engine run hotter since the air flow through the radiator will be decreased.

Most folks learn not to pull up so far forward on curbs and parking blocks after 1 or 2 scrapes on the air dam.
zr271cuda
05-10-2010, 04:28 PM
Ya I just sometimes forget that it is there. Im used to driving a truck so I guess I will have to learn to park better.:rolleyes:
Phrog_gunner
05-10-2010, 04:38 PM
Ya I just sometimes forget that it is there. Im used to driving a truck so I guess I will have to learn to park better.:rolleyes:

Could always start backing in.....
a_d_a_m
05-10-2010, 04:53 PM
Thanks for reminding me that mine is bent, crooked, and in need of replacement. I think I may go the sheetmetal route and make my own...
CBT
05-10-2010, 05:31 PM
Could always start backing in.....

That's what she said. Thanks, I'll be here all week.
Phrog_gunner
05-10-2010, 05:40 PM
That's what she said. Thanks, I'll be here all week.

http://www.forumspile.com/Misc-OhSnap.jpg
Motorhead350
05-10-2010, 06:30 PM
Most folks learn not to pull up so far forward on curbs and parking blocks after 1 or 2 scrapes on the air dam.

I still do it after 8 years...
Pat
05-10-2010, 06:44 PM
I'll humbly add two things to this discussion. 1. An OEM air dam may come bent up worse than your old one. Beware.

2. I bought a diamond plate metal air dam from Rich (magindat) and love it. Of course it adds a certain "metal" image to my otherwise stock appearing Marauder.

But, it doesn't stop one from riding over obstacles and twisting the air dam every which way. Good thing is that it can be reformed without too much difficulty.

Cheers,