2005 Trunk-lid handle loose!!!

Spacemanta,

1. There is no trunk-lid handle on the Gen II Prius or the Gen III Prius.

2. If you are talking about the spoiler, then please note that you should NEVER use the spoiler as a handle to close the hatch.

I suspect that your use of the spoiler as a handle is what caused it to loosen.

3. You should use the "Search" function to search for instructions for attaching or re-attaching the spoiler.

I will also search for instructions, and will post them if I find them.

But I hope someone with knowledge will speak up.

 

This thread has instructions for tightening or re-attaching a loose spoiler:

http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-...ge-door-garage-door-wins-advice-needed-3.html

 

Now I get it. He was talking about the handle to OPEN the hatch and not the spoiler. I should have read his post more carefully.

 

Pop off the black cover on the inside of the door. There are 2 screws holding in the SMK switch, tighten them and reassemble.

 

And here's usbseawolf2000's video for popping off the black cover:

I made a video to assist in removing the hatch interior plastic panel to get to the license plate bulbs. I hope many find this useful because it was not very easy to do it with just one hand while holding a camera.

I ordered a new pair (again from Warden_JP) of these wedge type LED bulbs for my license plate. My old pair for some reason have different color temp. One was more blue than the other.

Sorry, if it is too hard to hear me. I turned up my Metallica too loud. :rockon:

[ame="http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=759307614248005541&hl=en"]CIMG3611.AVI[/ame]​

 

mine broke off, a 2008, just hanging by a thread ... i went back to the dealer and he fixed it on a "make good" in half an hour :thumb:

 

Thanks so much for this thread! Did bust a few couple of those blue thing pulling off the cover in the trunk, but otherwise all went well. I too had pulled off the part that holds the switch for the trunk release (I guess the mechanical one on my old Saturn wagon had me thinking I could just yank on it and it'd open...) by cracking the four plastic supports that hold the screws in place. Ordered a replacement and replaced it myself using the info on this thread. The #10 deep socket thing was key, got the small set for around $12 at Home Depot. That's the 10MM one.

Cheers!

-Dan in NJ

 

I know this is an old thread but it applies to my issue. Our 2006 hatch release handle felt loose, so after seeing this thread I suspected loose bolts. So I popped off the interior cover and one of the blue plastic support plugs would not release, braking the eyelet on the cover. Hopefully superglue can repair it. So anyway, I found that the two center bolts on the plastic hatch release, had cracked the plastic supports where the bolts connect to the handle.

What we have are metal bolts connected through a metal hatch, to a plastic handle. Those two bolts support most of the stress of the handle and there is not much of an eyelet that these bolts connect through. So it's amazing they didn't crack a long time ago.

Not sure how expensive the handle will be, but I am sure it's not cheap. And most likely it has to be painted to match the car color, as well as having the Toyota emblem applied. I have to figure out a way to modify it without buying a new part with the expense, maybe super glue can come to my rescue again.

Any suggestions? There has to be many more of these handle bolts cracking loose our there.

 

Buying a salvage part maybe?

 

I haven't found one yet in my area.

Really upsets me that Toyota used a metal bolt to a plastic part, especially when this is a handle that gets used a lot. You'd think that Toyota would have installed a metal support clip to the handle, if the handle had to be made out of flexible plastic. This may be my last straw with Toyota quality!

My only option at this point appears in trying to superglue the plastic clips back onto the hatch handle. But I fear it won't hold up to the stress.

 

For cars with the Smart system, MSRP of a new part is $317 and you can buy one at Champion Toyota in Houston for $238. The part can be ordered in the correct color and already has the Toyota emblem. If your car does not have Smart then the price will be ~$40 less since it doesn't need to have the little black switch.

Champion ToyotaWorld

Too late now, but that lift gate trim does not serve as a very durable handle as you've learned. A better handle can be found in the interior of the hatch lid, on the right side.

If the price of a new part is beyond your liking then I'd suggest that you check salvage yards to see if you can obtain a part in the correct color. Good luck.

 

$238 is just way to much for this part on a 5 year old vehicle, especially when it will most likely happen again down the road.

The right side interior handle can't be used to open the hatch from the outside. So I am confused as to why you suggested it.

I've been searching online salvage yards for this part, but have come up empty so far.

 

Typically, closing the hatch is when the most force needs to be exerted. If you can use the interior handle to bring the hatch most of the way down, then it doesn't take much additional oomph to fully close the hatch. I usually use the license plate as a "handle".

While opening the hatch, you might need to lift on that plastic trim piece to get the hatch ajar, but if you can then switch to lifting the bottom edge of the hatch that would reduce the likelihood of damaging the trim (in the event that you decide to install a new piece.)

I have 122K miles on my 2004 and that hatch trim hasn't been a problem (so far.)

 

The most force applied to the hatch handle is during opening. It's never used to close the hatch, not at all. But yes, it's the lifting force on the handle that caused ours to break around the two center bolts. I would bet many here are having the same cracking issue around the bolts, its just not completely broke yet.

But again, it really makes no sense to attach metal bolts to a plastic handle and expect the plastic mount not to eventually fracture from the stress. Especially when this handle might be used on a daily basis.

This handle was not abused in any way. So it's not like excessive force was applied to it. In my opinion, it was just a poor design. A strengthening metal clip would have done wonders in preventing this issue. Most won't experience this problem because they don't use their hatch much, it's really only going to effect those that open it more often.

 

I assume you tried autobeyours but want to mention it just in case you haven't. Good luck!

 

Yes I did and they don't have one, but thanks.