Bug Deflector Install

I got the bug deflector yesterday and installed it last night and all I can say is "what a pain in the @ss"! :mad: Those four little plastic plugs and screws just about didn't want to go in the holes under the hood. I could get the plug or anchor or whatever you call it, in the hole through the gasket and the mounting tab, but to get that plastic screw to go in was about impossible!

I had to hold the hood with my left hand while I pushed on the phillips screwdriver with my right to get the screw to go in, and then when it did go in, it went in without screwing in. Maybe I didn't do it quite right:confused: , or maybe that's how it's supposed to go, I don't know, but that SOB is on the truck!:D It does look good on there, though!

OK, I'm done.:o

Easy big fella! Let it out and then stand back and admire your handy-work!

I did mine myself and although it probably took close to an hour (by the time I actually went and got the masting tape, etc.). The four plastic "screw-like" clips just push through, the only actual screws are the ones on either end of the deflector and under the edge of the hood.

By the way, they do look nice!

Hey guys... I seriously don't know what the issue is... Or maybe its because I have the 2008 model... but I had my bug deflector on in about 10 minutes. :confused:
I admit getting the initial "plugs" out was a little difficult, but I just popped them off with a screwdriver (as per the instructions) and slid the deflector in place. One thing I DID do, was remove the plastic screw from the plug- then pop the plug in through the rubber weather stripping/ deflector and into the hole left by the previous plug... Then I popped the screw in place with the phillips screw driver- voila- Looks awesome. :) :cool:

I have to agree with Jeep, I didnt buy the OEM deflector but mine was a serious pain, in fact I threw in the towel the first day because to me those anchors just weren't holding the way they should. I ended up getting replacements from Burtman (which were identical to the originals), had a couple more beers and installed it. I decided with the hood closed it wasn't going anywhere anyhow and it definetly looks good.

I have yet to install mine. I'm hoping it won't be too much of a PIA...but looks as if it may be.

I installed mine which I purchased from Burtman, a while back. It was more of a PITA then I expected. It took me about a half hour before I got the plugs to finally line up and go in. Like FlaGuy509, just have a couple of beers and get-er-done... It looks great! :D

Hey Girls, maybe you should get your husbands to help you!!! Just Kidding:D

I understand the difficulty you are having because I went through this myself. Get someone to help you hold the deflector in place while you install the screws. It makes the process much easier.

The instructions that were provided on mine said to have two people hold it. I thought that was ridiculous since the thing only weighs 3 lbs. But it is long and akward to handle and that second set of hands makes a big difference. After 45 mins of dealing with it myself I surrendered and asked for my wife's help.

Gentlemen,

As I said in my first post... I REALLY don't know what you guys are all complaining about... I installed mine in about 10 minutes last night... Although my son and 2 daughters were watching me at the time, the deflector did NOT need to be held in place...

I ONLY removed the 4 plugs (on the underside of the hood) that needed to be removed, which helped keep the rubber weather stripping tight and THAT held the deflector in place quite nicely... The key (for me at least) was to take those plastic screws out of the plugs FIRST... then pop those in place of the 4 plugs you just removed, and THEN stick the plastic screws in. Nice and easy that way... and no need to bug the wife LOL! (And actually let her know that you weren't able to do it yourself...) ;) :cool:

I ONLY removed the 4 plugs (on the underside of the hood) that needed to be removed, which helped keep the rubber weather stripping tight and THAT held the deflector in place quite nicely... The key (for me at least) was to take those plastic screws out of the plugs FIRST... then pop those in place of the 4 plugs you just removed, and THEN stick the plastic screws in. Nice and easy that way... and no need to bug the wife LOL! (And actually let her know that you weren't able to do it yourself...) ;) :cool:

Yea I took the screws out also but it was still a tight fit putting the plugs in. It did seem to help when my wife held one end. Sounds like you got lucky! Or maybe your plastic plugs got smaller in the cold giving you more tolerance. :)

Or maybe your plastic plugs got smaller in the cold giving you more tolerance. :)

That must be it Bruce RTL- My kids were all standing out front of our igloo watching me in the ice covered driveway freezing my brass balls off while installing my bug deflector (we actually use them ice pellet deflectors up here in the great white north!) LOL! :rolleyes:

Seriously though, I see that you're from Arizona, and although we weren't mid 30's C (mid 90's F) like you yesterday... we weren't SO far off at 27 C... (around 80 F) Speaking of which... I thought plastic got softer and more pliable in warmer temps... which would have made it easier not harder for you... LOL. :rolleyes:

I'm just giving you a hard time Bruce- no offence meant- doesn't matter HOW you got it on, cuz I'll bet it looks outstanding regardless! (and hopefully your wife didn't break a nail in the process...) :o

That must be it Bruce RTL- My kids were all standing out front of our igloo watching me in the ice covered driveway freezing my brass balls off while installing my bug deflector (we actually use them ice pellet deflectors up here in the great white north!) LOL! :rolleyes:

Seriously though, I see that you're from Arizona, and although we weren't mid 30's C (mid 90's F) like you yesterday... we weren't SO far off at 27 C... (around 80 F) Speaking of which... I thought plastic got softer and more pliable in warmer temps... which would have made it easier not harder for you... LOL. :rolleyes:

I'm just giving you a hard time Bruce- no offence meant- doesn't matter HOW you got it on, cuz I'll bet it looks outstanding regardless! (and hopefully your wife didn't break a nail in the process...) :o


Hmmmmm, trust me she didn't break a nail. She did however break a sweat! Don't worry, no offense was taken. We're all Ridgeline owners here just having fun. I was actually trying to be funny since you're from the great white north!

Seriously though, I don't know why those dang plugs go in easy for some people and not for others.

Oh well - As my buddies Bob and Doug McKenzie say - Take off!

I was actually trying to be funny since you're from the great white north!

I was just messing w/ you as well Bruce! Enjoy your Ridge! :D

BTW- here's a pic w/ my deflector installed...