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Broke my undercarriage plastic thing

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by footprintx, Jun 8, 2008.

  1. footprintx

    footprintx New Member

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    I broke that plastic piece that runs along the front part of the undercarriage of the car, and now it hangs a little down and catches on speed bumps and such. I took it in to my local Toyota Dealer and the dealer said a new plastic piece would cost $345, but he could jerry rig it for $40 and if it didn't work he'd apply that $40 to the cost of the re-do.

    Well, it didn't work, this was a few days ago and as soon as I hit 75 on the freeway, it came down and started dragging.

    Any ideas on what I should do? Is that piece even necessary or will not having it significantly decrease my mpg? Do you think they'd have one on the local pick-a-part? Could I just bolt on a large piece of graphite to the plastic that's still stable down there? It's up near the front and the holes where the clips attach are busted except for one of them.
     
    #1 footprintx, Jun 8, 2008
  2. Neicy

    Neicy Member

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    You mean like this, only worse? I got some fender washers but haven't gotten under it to see if it works yet. I think I will duct tape mine before I would put out $345.00 to get it replaced.
     

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    #2 Neicy, Jun 8, 2008
  3. footprintx

    footprintx New Member

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    Yes, exactly! Only ... worse. It used to look like that. Look out, once it starts hanging like that it starts getting caught on everything: speed-bumps, steep-driveways. Should I just duct-tape it?
     
    #3 footprintx, Jun 8, 2008
  4. wchardin

    wchardin Senior Member

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    Did you take it to a Toyota dealer or a different type dealer? I would try and shop around. $345 seems much for that. A local dealer might be able to drill holes and fix it flush to the rest of the undercarriage. Good luck and let us know if you get it fixed.
     
    #4 wchardin, Jun 8, 2008
  5. Scott_R

    Scott_R Member

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    When I did something similar to my car, I used some epoxy (the two-part putty stuff) to fix it.

    I removed the bolt, kneaded up some putty, and smoothed it over the area, overlapping it over the existing plastic on the top and bottom and smoothing it relatively flat. I pushed the screw through a bit, just enough to make a modest hole. When it dried, I reattached it. Worked perfectly.
     
    #5 Scott_R, Jun 8, 2008
  6. GatorJZ

    GatorJZ Member

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    Just to make it easier for you, it is called a "splash guard".
     
    #6 GatorJZ, Jun 8, 2008
    Pris likes this.
  7. patsparks

    patsparks An Aussie perspective

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    PriusChat Shop, get the alloy undertray. It will cost a little more but is much tougher for next time.
     
    #7 patsparks, Jun 8, 2008
  8. footprintx

    footprintx New Member

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    @patsparks: couldn't seem to find that on PriusChat Shop, by search or browsing. :(
     
    #8 footprintx, Jun 9, 2008
  9. GatorJZ

    GatorJZ Member

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    Search for BT Tech Skid Plate.
     
    #9 GatorJZ, Jun 9, 2008
  10. Syclone

    Syclone Member

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    I just had mine replaced. It was 61.00 plus labor ( dealer did it free because one of the mechanics had screwed up a service item). Find another dealer!!
     
    #10 Syclone, Jun 9, 2008
  11. Neicy

    Neicy Member

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    #11 Neicy, Jun 9, 2008
  12. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    I also suggest the skid plate...it doesn't hang down like the plastic one and it adds the benefit of added protection to the underside....and is cheaper than the plastic replacement to boot.
     
    #12 efusco, Jun 9, 2008
    kidfried likes this.
  13. ZC1

    ZC1 Junior Prius Owner

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    If you have all the pieces, there is an inexpensive but extremely durable solution in two words:

    JB Weld

    It's not only for metal but plastic too. Find it in your autoparts store.

    ZC1
     
    #13 ZC1, Jun 9, 2008
  14. footprintx

    footprintx New Member

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    so ... i have it taped now, and am seriously leaning towards that skid plate, more from a lack of options than anything else. I've read the two reviews about the skid plate, efusco and fboyle2000s.

    i talked to the guy at the Toyota Dealership, and he said he'd install it for me, since his jerry-rig didn't work.

    Has anybody else bought this thing? What do they think? Efusco, once you got more clearance, did that help with the noise (ie: was it the plate reflecting the road noise, or was it the part of yours that was rubbing up against the plate?) is there anything i should tell them to save them some time / incorrect installation?

    thanks for all y'alls advice.
     
    #14 footprintx, Jun 19, 2008
  15. hyo silver

    hyo silver Awaaaaay

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    $345?! Holy crap. Twist a short sheet-metal screw into it and call it done. Duct tape will work, but only until the first rain.
     
    #15 hyo silver, Jun 19, 2008
    Screaming Red likes this.
  16. Rokeby

    Rokeby Member

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    Forget the duct tape. Try Gorilla Tape -- Home Depot has it. Black, opaque,
    very high tack, lots of fibers.

    Just as good as the "300 MPH" mil spec duct tape that a Marine buddy
    "liberated" and gave me some while back.
     
    #16 Rokeby, Jun 19, 2008
  17. Allanwboston

    Allanwboston Junior Member

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    CF Advance For 04-09 Toyota Prius Rear Exterior Tailgate Liftgate Handle Garnish Non Painted Black NPB 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
    ALSO AVAILABLE PAINT FINISHED TO MATCH VEHICLE
    AMAZON
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    #17 Allanwboston, Feb 16, 2020
  18. eljefino

    eljefino Junior Member

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    Drill some holes and run zip ties through. You're never going to make $300 back in gas doing this correctly.
     
    #18 eljefino, Feb 17, 2020
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