Air dam just behind bumper

Hi. I had just reattached the air dam, underneath the "frame" part
that runs from side to side just below the radiator, when I hit
something and ruined it. I mean the piece of black plastic about 4
inches wide (high) that hangs down and goes from side to side.

How important is this part? What does it do? Do I have to replace
it?

I have a '95 LeBaron with a V-6 engine.

Thahks.



Remove NOPSAM to email me. Please let
me know if you have posted also.

 

It is to make the bottom of your car smoother to air currents during highway
driving. Most people think they are a complete waste.

 

Mine got broken when I got stuck in a snow bank 4 years ago. I have a 98
Intrepid, after a quote for replacement from a Chrysler Dealer I removed it
myself. Ive not noticed any difference in noise, performance or economy.
Keith

 

how do i bleed the brakes on my 1990 chrysler NYer.specific steps
please.arthur b

 

The airdam will offer some high speed stability as well as help a little
with fuel economy. Chances are you won't notice that it is missing.

 

Thanks to all of you. I'll take it off, save it, and maybe put it on
again when we have a beautiful day and I'm lying there anyhow.

It's bent almost in half and rubs on the ground now when I'm not
moving, but I don't hear a thing so I think it is lifting up a bit
when I do move.


Remove NOPSAM to email me. Please let
me know if you have posted also.

 

It's there for a reason and I'm not so sure it's for looks, because it
looks better without it.

Having a very rudimentary knowledge fluid flow (from a single Fluid
Mechanics course in University some 30 yrs ago), I see 2 possible
functions for the front air dam. One or both reasons may be the
intended purpose :

1) At speeds anywhere above 20 or 30 mph, the air dam creates a low
pressure zone immediately behind it, sufficient to cause continuous
purging of the air in the engine compartment which is immediately above
it (the low pressure zone). Since air flows through the radiator and
straight into the engine compartment, the air dam therefore actually
assists cooling by scavenging air from the engine compartment.
I suspect that this is the primary purpose.

2) Based on the same principle, the deflection of a major portion of the
air from under the car reduces turbulence under the car and therefore
some drag.

Phil

 

I meant to also add that the air dam on my Intrepid ended up just like
yours and for the same reason. The little plastic fasteners that hold
it to the underside of the car just got torn right off. The fasteners
at the extreme outer edges were holding it on but the rest of was
hanging down like a great gaping jaw. I was thinking of putting some
big plastic shark teeth in there for effect.

I bought 6 or 7 of those little fasteners and just popped them right
back in. The whole fix took about 90 seconds. Those little fasteners
(can't remember the correct name) were expensive for what they are.
Bought from the Chrylser dealer they were something like 2 or 3 bucks a
piece.

Phil

 

They're called plastic pop rivets - and if you just popped them right
back in, they sold you the wrong type. The correct retainers require a
pop rivet gun - not the usual hardware store variety, but one that works
with the plastic automotive pop rivets with larger diameter stems. The
rivet guns are available from NAPA and some other auto parts stores -
Balkamp 'Plastic Rivet Setter' P/N #770-2864 (that's probably the NAPA
part number). Costs $20-$25.

You should use the right retainer - too weak, and the air dam falls
loose too easily; too strong, and if something rips the air dam loose,
it can damage the attaching structure.

Bill Putney
(To reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my
address with the letter 'x')

 

This part is designed to locate parking lot curb blocks/stops, speed
bumps, high spots in pavement and various road debris.

Provides audible and (afterwards) visual notice.

Driver should R&R (and R&R, and R&R) until able to locate the above
features without driving over them.

 

OUCH! You should have tried your discount auto parts store. They usually
carry a few different types of fasteners that might have worked for you. They
cost substantially less.