PSA: Dorman 924-015 Splash Shield NOT for Genpus

My splash shield was pretty mangled, hanging down very low in the back. The middle of it had obviously been yanked down on at some time (ever since before I got the Speed), and was drooping very low. Comparison pic between new/old:


So I ordered the Dorman 924-015 from Amazon that I saw another Speed owner use:


Those with an astute eye will immediately notice the oil filter access hole isn't the same as on a Pu (or a Won too, FWIH, but I could be wrong on that). Here's where I ended up (after using a jigsaw) for clearance/oil filter access:

Comparison (the stock hole is larger than necessary, so I didn't trim to match exactly).


One of the interesting things about this particular splash guard is that it doesn't stand off as far from the front mounting bolts as the stock shield does. The difference is maybe a 0.5" indentation for the front bolts vs. maybe a 2" indentation for the bolts on the OEM piece:
Stock

Dorman


This ultimately means that the splash shield doesn't sit flush with the front splash shield (that goes under the radiator). So the front of the Dorman splash shield is recessed maybe 1.5" behind the very front splash shield that sits under the radiator. This also means the clearance between the back of the new shield and the oil pan is close. There's no touching, but we'll see if I need to bend it down some after some driving around and listening for interference noises (the shiny portion to the bottom right of the drain bolt is the metal frame reinforcement, which goes across the whole back of the piece):


Additionally, some of the holes didn't line up well (always do a test fit first!), so I had to hog out maybe three of them:


Finally, I drilled an oil catch can drain access hole with one of my titanium step bits (an essential tool for anyone, IMHO):


One other thing: Dorman included new bolts that have the correct thread (and replace the two push-pin locks on the sides with bolts too - a good move, IMHO), but the heads of the bolts they included are 3/8" (0.375") instead of the stock-sized 10mm (0.394"). It's close enough that you can still use a 10mm socket, but it'll be a little loose. It's probably just as well, because you don't want to be honking down bolts like this super hard anyways.

Hopes this helps the community. Questions? Please feel free to ask.

 

Nice fix, pics of how flush it sits to the front? Really wish the OEM ones were cheaper

 

I'll try to grab one next time I'm under there. I need one longer bolt due to the slight fitment issues. When I source that/get it in, I'll snap a pic.

You know, with an extra hour of time and some plastic weld, I could've transferred the OEM standoffs for the Dorman ones. Hindsight is 20/20, eh? Oh well, I'm sure it really doesn't matter in terms of performance. And $40 instead of $105 + shipping is a win, fitment differences notwithstanding.
[doublepost=1470447625][/doublepost]FYI, if someone wanted to try another option, this one has the OEM standoffs and doesn't require cutting a larger hole for the oil filter. But it looks like the plastic is flimsier, and it doesn't have the metal reinforcement along the back edge. You could probably swap the OEM metal reinforcement onto it. You'd also need to put on the screw brackets on the plastic tabs from the OEM one. Problem is, if your OEM reinforcement bar is bent outta shape like mine was, you'll have to work the bar straight again. Sometimes flexing metal a lot weakens it:

 

I've been happy with mine on my gen1. Gotta Dremel out the oil filter area on mine, just as shitty as OEM.

Nice write up!

 

Thanks! I'm curious, does this Dorman splash shield sit flush with the front splash shield on your Won, or is it recessed too? It may just be a Pu issue. After finding that other splash shield, I'm going to try it out instead to see if it works better overall for a Pu.

I'll update the thread as things progress...

 

Fits fine.

http://mazdaspeeds.org/index.php?threads/rockauto-undertray-for-mazdaspeed3.2101/#post-17218

 

o.0 Dang, I knew it! They sold me a Won undertray for a Pu! Yep, I'm definitely gonna get that new one on. I actually called Amazon last night and explained the whole situation, bringing their attention specifically to the difference in standoff lengths and the oil filter access hole size/shape. And my exact car information is put into their system: 2010 Mazda 3, submodel Mazdaspeed, 2.3 Turbo, etc. Their system said "fits your car" for the Dorman, but it is NOT the correct part. The Evan-Fisher is the correct part for a Pu. Their system was 100% incorrect.

Fortunately, Amazon is awesome in terms of customer service and is allowing me to return the Dorman for a refund even though I fiddled with it, due to the fact that me trusting their system's information misled me. Now don't get me wrong - I know not going OEM usually means some customization is required. But after I went through the whole process, I found the Mazda part # for my 2010 and typed it in: voila, the right part came up for my car (Evan-Fisher). And even though it's for the Pu, it did NOT have the "fits your car" comment/green checkmark up top even though it SHOULD, like the Dorman fallaciously did.

Argh... Well, a follow-up install usually goes faster. Wish I had a lift, though.

 

RockAuto $35 shipped.

 

Good deal. Mine was like $40 shipped Amazon Prime. The replacement one (that'll fit the Pu right) was $35 shipped too.

 

Even radder. Shoulda seen the packaging. I had probably 100 air packs and a huge ass box. For the box with the tray. Which still had a busted clip.

 

Should've gotten a Corksport Aluminium Skid plate.

Sent from my Nexus 6P

 

If I had 5-6x the amount to spend, I may have, LOL

 

I always at least use rockauto to determine part numbers. My experience with amazon is that the fits your car is not that accurate.

 

Yeah, now I know, and knowing is half the battle, eh? LOL
To be clear: I got it to work, but it doesn't work well. I have no interference noises, but it doesn't sit flush and a lot of customization is needed to make it fit. It'll work in a pinch, but there are better options, like the one I posted above. I'll put my impressions of it in this thread after I install it.

 

I let mine go when I got rid of my last Mazda. I should have pulled it.

 

Here you go, @Awafrican :


It's definitely not the correct part for the application, even though my customization made it "work" (using the term loosely, LOL).

 

That's actually pretty good! Too bad it's not for the pu

 

The Evans-Fisher arrived today. Two things are immediately apparent: 1) this is the proper design for a Genpu; and 2) the quality of injection molding process and material is inferior. Compare the finish of the plastic on this piece to that of the Dorman in my pics above:


This one came with a reinforcement bar in the back too, but it seems much less robust/easy to bend. If it comes down to it, I may swap out the Dorman reinforcement bar with this one. More results to come...

 

That looks like crap.

 

Right? Now look above at the pic Evans-Fisher had on Amazon. Doesn't appear the same, does it?

For me, the bottom line is this: I need something that's designed to properly fit. Looks are secondary. "Out of sight, out of mind." So long as it's sturdy enough to withstand the aerodynamic forces it'll see, I'll gladly accept a none-too-pretty replacement for the OEM piece for 35% the price. And I may swap out the Dorman reinforcement frame, if it's sturdier.