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-The underbody panels are coming off!

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by spudnut, Nov 24, 2022.

  1. spudnut

    spudnut Active Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Idaho Falls/Pocatello, ID
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    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    I did a search first, and yeah I get the reason Toyota used them, for less drag, but I am sick of hauling around the extra weight of all the gunk that gets trapped in there. Plus by the time i get around to cleaning them out, they get permenantly deformed, plus the usual struggle with the plastic fashioners. It's on my ramps now (changing the oil and rotating the tires ) and I just can't see messing with them anymore. I don't feel at risk from road debris, if something does happen I'll deal with it, but screw those panels.
     
    #1 spudnut, Nov 24, 2022
    nicoj36 likes this.
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
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    boston
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    i wonder why they are falling off
     
    #2 bisco, Nov 24, 2022
  3. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

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    Location:
    Taylors, SC
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Two
    The black UV stabilized nylon 6-6 push to lock rivets that hold the panels to the steel sheet metal don't last forever. Vibration, tensional amd shear forces and even UV light reflected off the pavement eventually destroy them.

    Over the years and during my 6 months oil change interval, I examine the panels for missing nylon rivets and replace missing or broken ones.

    Most all are metric 7mm, the Toyota standard.

    Recently, I purchased these off of Amazon and after 10 years, replaced them ALL.

    Ziruiautopart 100 Pieces Pin in 7mm Hole Compatible for Toyota 9046710183 Plastic Rivets Car Clips Fastener Push Clips Retainer for Cars for Scion Lexus

     
    #3 Georgina Rudkus, Nov 24, 2022
  4. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    Durham NC
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    2009 Prius
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    Base
    I just dropped mine down each with 36 lb of driveway gravel in them they were still hanging properly actually looks like people scrape them so I removed them just left them off My car doesn't see any of that kind of activity yeah unsafe as it may be
     
    #4 Tombukt2, Nov 24, 2022
  5. bettergolf

    bettergolf Active Member

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    Location:
    Sanford NC
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
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    Two
    I have none under me either. Has not been a problem at all including gas mileage which averages year round (on the dash) at about 53. I understand this can be off as much as 5% but that still leaves me at about 50. My salvage title 2015 had 24k when I bought it in 2017, now has just tripped 86k...they did not replace the "skid pans" when they did the rebuild and with my type driving I saw no reason to add them back. I believe they are more for "protection" from road debris since the car sits so low, than for better gas mileage...just my opinion though.
     
    #5 bettergolf, Nov 24, 2022
  6. spudnut

    spudnut Active Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Idaho Falls/Pocatello, ID
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    I should mention I only took the ones off "in the middle" one each side. They were the ones getting so full of road mush (I live down a gravel road, actually crushed lava rock) they were 10/20 pounds heavier per side. I still have all the others, though the oil door ting is mostly held on with tie wire, it's there.

    After taking off the middles, which overlap the rears, a small middle gap was left in the front of the rears. Without the protection of the fronts, I figured they may show a greater tendency to accumulate gunk, so I made some scrap aluminum closeouts to prevent that, so they are as protected as before.
     
    #6 spudnut, Nov 24, 2022
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