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Chin spoilers

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Accessories & Modifications' started by atrumbull, Apr 8, 2007.

  1. atrumbull

    atrumbull New Member

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    I have also noticed after the first freeway trip that my new 06' does tend to wander quite a bit. I don't think I've ever owned a car that required so much effort to keep it going straight, and folks behind probably think I've had one too many! I've upped my tire pressure to 40/38, and plan to buy the BT plate in the next few weeks. I also plan to go back to the dealer and see if they would increase the toe-in. Finally, I'd like to try moving the chin spoilers as I've read in other threads, but I don't see any adjustment possible. Do you have to drill new holes to move them in that thin plastic underbody piecie? If someone could explain how they moved them, I'd appreciate the help any maybe a picture. Also, it's hard for me to understand how moving those little pieces could improve tracking, but I'm willing to give it a try.
     
    #1 atrumbull, Apr 8, 2007
  2. Rangerdavid

    Rangerdavid Senior Member

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    I can't help with the spoilers question, but I can tell you that what you are experiencing is not normal at all. My Prius tracks so true that I can take my hands off the wheel and it will continue straight down the highway (although I don't recommend doing this for any extended period of time). the occasional cross wind, sure, but that's not what you are describing.

    You sure it just couldn't be an alignment problem?
     
    #2 Rangerdavid, Apr 8, 2007
  3. ScottY

    ScottY New Member

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    Check your alignment first. MANY Prii are mis-aligned when delivered to the customers.

    My car tracks straight without any suspension mods.

    About the chin spoilers, my 05 doesn't have them. Not sure how they would affect the handling.
     
    #3 ScottY, Apr 8, 2007
  4. atrumbull

    atrumbull New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ScottY @ Apr 8 2007, 11:00 PM) [snapback]420071[/snapback]</div>

    Does your car track straight on the freeway?? I'll get an appointment this week, but I feel it's probably the same complaint most are talking about on the site. It has been windy on my trips up I75 to Atlanta lately, and I think it's just the constant correction required to stay in the center of the lane. Maybe using the word 'tracking' was not the best choice. I realize it's a rather tall car and catches air, but the movement seems excessive to me.
     
    #4 atrumbull, Apr 8, 2007
  5. ScottY

    ScottY New Member

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    Actually, I was driving tonight on the highway. When the lane is straight and the car is traveling straight to begin with, I can leave my hands off the steering wheel and the car will keep going straight. I had my alignment check last year, everything is in spec.

    Many on this site reported that their cars are delivered out of alignment, that's why I suggested to check that first. If you just bought the car (within 1year/12k miles), the alignment should be free.
     
    #5 ScottY, Apr 8, 2007
  6. StuartS

    StuartS New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(boutime @ Apr 9 2007, 03:52 AM) [snapback]420050[/snapback]</div>
    What's a chin spoiler? Surely not a beard for the Prius?
     
    #6 StuartS, Apr 9, 2007
  7. MegansPrius

    MegansPrius GoogleMeister, AKA bongokitty

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    Ditto on the alignment check. Ours does fine on the highway, no drifting problems.
     
    #7 MegansPrius, Apr 9, 2007
  8. MarinJohn

    MarinJohn Senior Member

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    I'm with the 'check your alignment' folks. I had considerable wandering till I got the car aligned and now she is straight, tight and true.
     
    #8 MarinJohn, Apr 9, 2007
  9. Charles Suitt

    Charles Suitt Senior Member

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    <_< When I bought my 2004 Prius, I soon discovered that the 'wandering' tendency was largely due to my oversteering due to the VERY TIGHT STEERING LINKAGE unlike ordinary cars which seem to have a few degrees looseness in the linkage. When I learned to avoid oversteering the Prius, it became somewhat more comfortable to drive the freeways and highways.

    When I traded for my 2007 Touring Edition, I noted a slight drift to the right. The selling dealer kinda frowned, kept the '07 for a couple of hours for other things and I believe didn't touch the alignment - drove the same. I took the '07 to the dealer who had maintained my '04 for over 2 years. They re-aligned under warranty and gave me a printout of the 'before/after' readings. No more drifting.
     
    #9 Charles Suitt, Apr 9, 2007
  10. atrumbull

    atrumbull New Member

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    Got an appointment at the dealer on Wednesday. I'll see if I can get measurements of before and after. It's also possible I may be oversteering, as many of my vehicles are in the over 100K range so am used to the more sloppy linkage. My Corvette does tend to track on the grooves on the older road surfaces, but that's due to the wider tires.

    In the interim, can someone who moved their chin spoilers tell me how they did it??
     
    #10 atrumbull, Apr 9, 2007
  11. JaviNOS

    JaviNOS Mod Freak

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    I dont know if this actually helps but I think it did at least for me...
    I used to have a similar problem with winds... no alone drifting but the car seemed to try to move inside the lane with my hands on the steering.. I installed the BT plate and Toms Upperstrut bar and I dont have that problem anymore... at least I think I dont. :lol:

    plus the feels more precise now when turning and no more shaking from side to side in speedbumps. :)
     
    #11 JaviNOS, Apr 9, 2007
  12. atrumbull

    atrumbull New Member

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    For anyone interested, I did take the car to the dealer today. Turns out the front alignment was off. The left toe-in was .22, and the right was -.32, both out of the specified range. Specs say -.10 to .10 All the other measurements were ok. After the alignment it was .01 on the left and .04 on the right. Didn't have a chance to drive on the freeway much today, but it did seem better. My next trip to Atlanta will be a good test. Appreciate the help. :D
     
    #12 atrumbull, Apr 11, 2007
  13. Prius Pete

    Prius Pete Active Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(boutime @ Apr 9 2007, 08:23 PM) [snapback]420522[/snapback]</div>
    I moved my chin spoilers as suggested by jayman. Drilled new holes (one new hole for each of the 2 spoilers) small enough that the bolts screwed in tightly. Essentially I moved the inner side of the chin spoiler a bit closer to the front of the car. The idea is to sweep more of the air out from under the car so the front stays down better at high speed with a headwind. I think it helped.
     
    #13 Prius Pete, Apr 16, 2007
  14. zapf1

    zapf1 New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(boutime @ Apr 8 2007, 06:52 PM) [snapback]420050[/snapback]</div>

    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(boutime @ Apr 8 2007, 06:52 PM) [snapback]420050[/snapback]</div>
    its those horrible tires that they put on the cars they cost 52.00 from tire rack i went with michelin hydro edge tires the car is so much better . also get an alignment they are way off from the factory sometimes
     
    #14 zapf1, Apr 16, 2007
  15. 200Volts

    200Volts Member

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    Make sure the rear alignment is with in spec.

    Regarding the front two "spoilers"
    Remove the 2 front "flaps-spoilers" from in front of the front tires.
    Move them up to the very front of the car, at a slight angle to push air towards the outside of the car. You will need to drill one 1/4" diameter hole on the inner part to make it line up with the lower front facia mounting holes.

    IMHO, having these flaps back from the front of the car creates a build up of air pressure (the flaps slow the air and divert is downward). This build up is exactly the opposite of what you want for good handling (and in this case good gas mileage-no this mod will not increase mileage)

    See the attached photos for how this looks on a 2006. This will work on 04-05 as well.
     

    Attached Files:

    #15 200Volts, Apr 17, 2007
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