Bracket sticks out of rear fender wells

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Main Forum' started by sttkailua, Jun 25, 2016.

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  1. sttkailua

    sttkailua Active Member

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    2016 Owners,

    Don't know if this was mentioned in earlier posts, but I did a quick walk around, and
    noticed that a bracket on both rear fender wells don't seem to be flush with the fenders, and
    noticeably stick out. See photo attached.

    Can this be loosened and made flush, or is this normal?
    I would assume factory guys at Toyota would have seen and fixed this?

    Thanks,

    stt
     

    Attached Files:

    #1 sttkailua, Jun 25, 2016
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  2. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Can you take a pic from the other side, looking to the rear and up? My guess would be fender liner that should be tucked in, has slipped out. Look at the other side of the car for comparison, might help.

    Stuff like this you can take to the dealership, it being so new. But if it's a simple fix it's often more efficient to just sort out yourself, as long as it's not something damaged or missing.
     
    #2 Mendel Leisk, Jun 25, 2016
  3. pakitt

    pakitt Senior Member

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    It's normal. I have the same.
     
    #3 pakitt, Jun 25, 2016
  4. booke02

    booke02 Active Member

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    Another picture would help. Doesn't look normal to me, even if other folk have it too.
     
    #4 booke02, Jun 25, 2016
  5. Montgomery

    Montgomery Senior Member

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    I agree, it might be a factory miss. Nothing should be sticking out like that.
     
    #5 Montgomery, Jun 25, 2016
  6. 'LectroFuel

    'LectroFuel Senior Member

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    I have it too. I think it's pretty weird they have it sticking out like that, but it isn't noticeable on my black car. I wouldn't worry about it. Maybe it could be a secret for the low drag coefficient.
     
    #6 'LectroFuel, Jun 25, 2016
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  7. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Pull it out a bit further, trim, then push back in?

    Is it metal or plastic??
     
    #7 Mendel Leisk, Jun 25, 2016
  8. pakitt

    pakitt Senior Member

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    I will make pics tomorrow and post them.
    It is plastic. Hard plastic. And it is meant to be that way, it is not mounted wrongly.
    Why it has to stick out, I think it might have to do with aerodynamics.
     
    #8 pakitt, Jun 25, 2016
  9. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    I've seen it before on other cars - it's on my FORD Fiesta. Is it a mudflap, or an aerodynamic aid?
    20160626_071956.jpg
     
    #9 alanclarkeau, Jun 25, 2016
  10. krmcg

    krmcg Lowered Blizzard Pearl Beauty

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    Me too
     
    #10 krmcg, Jun 25, 2016
  11. bhtooefr

    bhtooefr Senior Member

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    I'd guess that that piece helps keep the flow from the wheels from interfering with the flow along the car?
     
    #11 bhtooefr, Jun 25, 2016
  12. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    It's so minuscule, can't see it being an aero aid. I'd suspect it just poor fit. I'd do nothing, at least for a while.
     
    #12 Mendel Leisk, Jun 25, 2016
  13. pakitt

    pakitt Senior Member

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    It's not a poor fit. It is like that. It is meant to be like that.
    If it were a poor fit, the poor fit would be standard world wide.
     
    #13 pakitt, Jun 25, 2016
  14. krmcg

    krmcg Lowered Blizzard Pearl Beauty

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    I think it works to "mend" the body panel seams together
     
    #14 krmcg, Jun 25, 2016
  15. sttkailua

    sttkailua Active Member

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    Thanks for the comments.
    In looking at my daughter's 2013 Prius, there is no bracket.???
    Not a big deal for me.
    If it is typical on your 2016's, and even some other brands,
    I'll just not worry about it.

    Now, if wifey says 'shave it down!', I'll take care of it!

    stt
     
    #15 sttkailua, Jun 25, 2016
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  16. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    what's that round thing in the fender?
     
    #16 bisco, Jun 25, 2016
  17. sttkailua

    sttkailua Active Member

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    Side sensor for lane departure, park assist.

    stt
     
    #17 sttkailua, Jun 25, 2016
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  18. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    ah, an area i am unfamiliar with, thank you.
     
    #18 bisco, Jun 25, 2016
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  19. KimPrius3

    KimPrius3 Member

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    Just got my Prius 4 today (need to change my name) Mine is exactly like your picture. I think it must be normal.
     
    #19 KimPrius3, Jun 25, 2016
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  20. bhtooefr

    bhtooefr Senior Member

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    And, if you feel around in there, this feels like it's an extra piece specifically intended to be there (on both sides).

    Really, it's an aero piece. Sometimes it just takes a little bit to keep some flow attached somewhere
     
    #20 bhtooefr, Jun 26, 2016
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