Slim Guards Install Instructions - 2008-2014 WRX / STI

Kit Contents

Slim Guards WRX STI

  • 1 Front Left Guard
  • 1 Front Right Guard
  • 1 Rear Left Guard
  • 1 Rear Right Guard
  • 10 Stainless M5 Clip Nuts
  • 10 Black Stainless M5 Button Cap Bolts
  • 1 Pace Adventure Works Sticker

 

Tools Required

  • Jack and Jack Stands
  • Lug Nut Socket (for wheel removal)
  • Marking Tool - Sharpie, chalk pen, paint pen, or nail setter
  • 6mm or 1/4" Drill Bit
  • 3mm Hex Key / Allen Key
  • Needle Nose Pliers

 

Step 1 - Lift and Remove Wheels

Lift the vehicle and remove the wheels. This can be done one or two wheels at a time depending on your preference and available equipment.

 

Step 2 - Align the Front Guard and Mark Hole Locations

The Pace Adventure Works Slim Guards are CAD-designed and reverse engineered to match the existing edges of the OEM body panels. The inside edge and curve of the guard correspond directly to the side skirt and fender trim profile.

Align the inside edge of the guard to the inside edge of the skirt and fender trim, then mark the hole locations.

Tip: On light colored vehicles a Sharpie works well. On dark gray or black vehicles, a chalk marker or paint pen is easier to see. A nail setter can also be used to mark center points if preferred, but I like the marker better.

Step 3 - Drill the Marked Holes

Drill at each marked location. The plastic trim is soft and requires very little pressure - light, controlled drilling will produce cleaner holes with minimal tear-out or burring. Take care not to drill through into the fender liner or any other components behind the side skirt or fender trim.

 

Step 4 - Install the Clip Nuts

Insert a clip nut into each drilled hole. You may need to lightly pry the trim away from the fender liner to seat the clip, but excessive force is not required. Confirm that the hole in the clip aligns with your drilled hole.

Note that the clip will not sit fully flush - this is intentional. The fully-seated position does not clear the fender liner and pinch weld seam behind the trim. Use needle nose pliers to gently position and align each clip as needed.

After installation, inspect each hole for plastic burrs from drilling. Remove any burrs before proceeding, which may require temporarily removing and reinstalling the clip nut.

 

Step 5 - Install the Front Guard

Confirm you have the correct guard before bolting it in. The PAW logo should face rearward and be visible from behind the vehicle -- it should not be visible from the bolt side.

Get all three bolts started before tightening any. The guard should sit flush with the side skirt and fender trim when fully seated.

Torque to 8.5 Nm / 75 in-lbs / 6 ft-lbs. This is approximately finger-tight-snug using the short end of a standard hex key.

 

Step 6 - Install the Rear Guard

The rear guard follows the same general procedure as the front with two differences: only two clip nuts and bolts are used, and the guard aligns to the bottom and inside edge of the rear bumper. The drilled hole locations will not coincide with any existing OEM holes.

Refer to Steps 3 through 5 for the drilling, clip nut, and bolting procedure. Photos of the rear installation process are shown below.

 

Step 7 - Reinstall Wheels

Reinstall the wheels and torque the lug nuts to the vehicle manufacturer's specification.


Questions about your installation? Email me at gregan@paceadventureworks.com or visit https://paceadventureworks.com/pages/contact.