My splash guard fell off my 95 Mystique within the first year, and I never replaced it. The return hose from the P/S pump was left exposed about 1/2 inch below the bumber. I never had a problem with this. I have always been very careful when I parked my car, not to park too close a curb or one of those concrete parking lot stops. Last week my wife damaged the hose and lost the fluid when parking. I just spent $178 at a Ford dealer to replace the hose (what a rip off). I also had them tie the hose up above the bottom of the bumper.
