a spaced series of generally c - shaped wear members , representatively excavating tooth adapters , are positioned on a front edge portion of a lip structure on , for example , an excavating bucket , by placing the lip edge portion between rearwardly extending top and bottom leg portions of each wear member . spring - loaded , low profile attachment structures are mounted within top leg recesses of the wear members prior to the installation of the wear members on the lip structure . after the wear members are in place on the lip structure , the internally disposed attachment structures are secured to the lip structure at open rear ends of the top wear member legs in a manner causing the internal attachment structures to resiliently bias their associated wear members in rearward self - tightening directions relative to the lip structure . protective shrouds are then connected to the open rear ends of the top wear member legs to conceal and protect their internally carried attachment structures . the wear members disposed at opposite lower corners of the bucket overlap bottom and inner and outer side portions of corner structural sections of the bucket to shield them from operational abrasion .