So I took apart my spoiler yesterday as it was previously damaged, sides taped onto the rear door holding it there. Two bolt inserts were damaged so managed to get them fixed. Looked in the Prius Repair Manual for torque settings for the 5 nuts as I don't want to overtighten them nor have the spoiler loose? Although none are provided for those bolts? They provide 1.2Nm for the center stop light on the spoiler. What would be a "reasonable/safe" torque? As I think all 5 bolts should probably be uniform in snugness?
Yeah something like that sounds reasonably reasonable You do realize that with the nuts torqued and all that the spoiler flops around on the back of the car with to me an unreasonable amount of play but the Toyota I'm sure it's very reasonable because people are always lifting on it bending it touching it whatever so it's got enough slopp in it that people's hands can move it a little bit not break anything remember we have to be saved from ourselves. That's just what I've noticed on most of the generation 3 rear spoiler wing affairs for sure The generation 2 not quite as loose but still you can feel there's a bit of play there built in on purpose so when people go to moving it or try to lift the rear of the hatch by it and things like that It has a little play to take up that kind of slop. I guess thank goodness
Yeah if I get the same torque across all bolts, hoping the pressure will be evenly distributed rather than on one side/few bolts thereby possibly compromising some again. I actually put it back together yesterday although used slightly thicker washers for the bolts and the 2 "green/turquoise" end clips (all I had to hand). I couldn't get the end clips to clip-in whilst tightening the bolts, even with bolts tight there was still some flop which I wasn't sure if that was "normal". So I took it apart and will put on some RTV silicone on them so it squishes and seals rather than causing an obstruction with thick washers. Could probably eliminate the flop by using something like "door draft excluder" sort of thing cushioning the sides a little more etc. but I haven't got the time nor wish to experiment with it! Side note for anyone repairing their spoiler the 2 "green/turquoise" clips are the same as from the boot internal lid cover to access the spoiler. So if your spoiler ones are damaged just use them and get the spoiler and replace the boot lid ones. You/well I don't want to be opening/dismantling the spoiler again unless needed, once its weatherproof you don't want to be opening it up unnecessarily.
So I put the spoiler back again for the 2nd time and for some reason the 2 "green/turquoise" end clips pop in and then out, they don't stay clipped in! Should of trialled this with a dry fit first! Will have to probably go for a 3rd time as I honestly don't want water damage down the road from the holes being open due to clips not being secured, worst case is just putting the clips in without the spoiler being "supported" by them...
