A-arm Dust Cover Flap: Tucked or Untucked?

[Mark E.]

Did the factory tuck the bottom of the inner fender/A-arm dust cover under the A-arm, as shown below?

Or was it left flapping around loose?

I've seen it each way on judged cars.

[Russ S.]

Re: A-arm Dust Cover Flap: Tucked or Untucked?

They were tucked.

[Ron G.]

Re: A-arm Dust Cover Flap: Tucked or Untucked?

Like Russ said, tucked.

[Michael J.]

Re: A-arm Dust Cover Flap: Tucked or Untucked?

Yes, that is how I have seen it most often. But it does beg the question, since it would seem visually that if it were left on top of the suspension components shown it would have been more effective to keep dust and water out of the engine compartment.

[Ron G.]

[Mark E.]

Re: A-arm Dust Cover Flap: Tucked or Untucked?

I also thought tucked, since if untucked the fan blows it around. Plus the cover has notches on each side for a clean bend.

But when I pointed out an untucked cover at National, a master judge said they came either way. Inconsistent GM assembly?

[Patrick H.]

Re: A-arm Dust Cover Flap: Tucked or Untucked?

But when I pointed out an untucked cover at National, a master judge said they came either way. Inconsistent GM assembly?

No. The judge was incorrect.

[Alan D.]

Re: A-arm Dust Cover Flap: Tucked or Untucked?

For 64 see AIM section 11-13, sheet A2.00 for some guidance.

[Paul O.]

Re: A-arm Dust Cover Flap: Tucked or Untucked?

If it was untucked driving through a puddle the front tire would send a spray of water that would lift the flap and allow that water to enter the engine compartment.

[Ron G.]

Re: A-arm Dust Cover Flap: Tucked or Untucked?

In all my years of judging and I can probably speak for myself and Paul O. That many times that we have judged together and we have noticed that the owner was not aware that the dustcover flaps were supposed to be tucked in to control arm. We have actually gave him of her a verbal and suggested that he should tuck them in. I know myself and again most likely Paul we have never ever taken a deduction for untucked dust flaps. We just made the owner aware and left it up to him or her.

[Paul O.]

Re: A-arm Dust Cover Flap: Tucked or Untucked?

Ron has that correct I would only inform the owner that the seal is typically tucked. But if I remember correctly that seal is under the Mechanical section.

[Gary J.]

[David W.]

Re: A-arm Dust Cover Flap: Tucked or Untucked?

Just a heads up when judging a survivor. I would suggest that owners carefully untuck dust covers before judging commences in order to prevent inadvertent damage occurring to the original dust covers when they are untucked by judges to inspect ball joints. More times then not as the dust covers age they become brittle and very susceptible to tearing and or puncture when messed with. Been there done that. So if your original covers are in good shape the best solution would be to leave them untucked for judging.

[Leif A.]

Re: A-arm Dust Cover Flap: Tucked or Untucked?

David,
Since when do judges touch or move anything on a car during judging? I've been asked to move/open things but have never had anything touched or moved by a judge in the three times my car has been judged. Don't think the judges are supposed to move anything. Am I missing something here??

[Jim S.]

Re: A-arm Dust Cover Flap: Tucked or Untucked?

Leif, You are correct. Judges are not to remove anything. Nor are "flaps" required to be untucked.