I just bought a 2004 Vel. Red GT...it's amazing!
Unfortunately, I noticed an issue after I bought it. I noticed that the Front Air Dam was slightly lower than the bumper. While looking under the car, I noticed that one of the two vertical pieces that hold the dam together has snapped. Basically there are two vertical strips of plastic (?) that each sit on one side of the rotary symbol and seems to hold the top and bottom of the Air Dam together.

I'll try to post some pics tomorrow, might be easier to understand.

What's the best way to repair this?

Thanks.

 

sounds like you don't have the appearance package lip on the bottom. A lot of people have cracked the portion you are talking about. One way would be to purchase the front appearance package lip and attach it to the bottom of your cracked bumper. It would cover up the flaw. The other, less expensive way (but much more difficult), would be to purchase that lower black plastic portion from a scrap yard, or from one of the vendors on this forum that parts out cars. I beleive if you went to a dealer, they would only be able to see you the entire front bumper.

 

yea,

pics are going to help a lot here...

beers

 

Yeah, I know what piece you are talking about. The dealer calls it the underbody cover. You can order one from the dealer without having to buy the whole bumper. I broke mine when I ran over a hub cap that was thrown off of a car traveling in front of me.

You can install it yourself if you have a pair of car ramps to jack the front of the car up a bit. If you go to the DIY section for oil cooler-A/C compressor screen, you can see pics of the front bumper facia to give you a better idea how the underbody cover is attached.

 

I went straight to the parts counter to try and order mine...given that I am beyond the warranty period. Late8, did you go through the service drive, and did they cover that under the warranty....?

 

No, My 8 was repaired under my insurance policy (comprehensive=$50.00 deductable). The Mazda dealer's bodyshop ordered the under body cover through the parts department. As I recall, I thought the part was called "air dam" but I remember the parts guy using the exact words "under body cover" as he hit the enter key on his computer so I'm guessing he was reading the listed part out loud. I hope this helps???

 

If you take the front bumper off (easy) you can do two fixes at once

first you need to get some heavy metal mesh screen.

you will use the screen as a rock deflector to your radiator. the second use will be to support the lower underbody piece.

http://flrx8club.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1071

take a look at that, you will see what im talking about.

from here you have two options, continue to get a new piece or actually remove the old ones as the screen will support it.

i recommend you get the screen done anyway, as getting a new piece can result in this happening again.

 

I have an extra one for sale