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Prevent Prius Spoiler Damage Caused by opening rear hatch . . .

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by priussc, Apr 18, 2013.

  1. priussc

    priussc Junior Member

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    When opening the rear hatch the "spoiler" hits a steel stiffener on the overhead garage door. To prevent this I purchased 2 "noodles" (styrofoam tubes that kids use in the pool). Using a sharp blade I cut the full length of the noodles, from the outer surface through to the center space, slipped the noodles over the stiffeners. Now I have a cushion which prevents damage. See the attached file. Priussc
     
    #1 priussc, Apr 18, 2013
    FriarNurgle and WE0H like this.
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    can't open the file, but it sounds like a good idea. i glued some 2" foam to my garage door because the spoiler hits it when up.
     
    #2 bisco, Apr 19, 2013
  3. Eclipse1701d

    Eclipse1701d Prius Enthusiast

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    That is a great and inexpensive solution! I have the same problem since going to the Gen III. However, a much more expensive solution would be to install the TRD springs and lower the whole car just enough for the hatch to clear... Hmmm.....
     
    #3 Eclipse1701d, Apr 19, 2013
  4. Sfcyclist

    Sfcyclist Senior Member

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    your hatch hits the garage ribs at what position? fully open? mine only hit it if I parked too close to the garage door. And if I did, I couldn't open the hatch anyhow.
     
    #4 Sfcyclist, Apr 19, 2013
  5. The Dude

    The Dude Member

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    pics or it didn't happen ;)
     
    #5 The Dude, Apr 20, 2013
    ewxlt66 likes this.
  6. Eclipse1701d

    Eclipse1701d Prius Enthusiast

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    I live in Florida, and we have larger support bars to assist the doors with holding back hurricane force winds. The GenIII does hit the brace unless I park it so when you open the hatch it goes between the support beams. I'll take a picture next time I park it wrong and open the hatch. The Gen II next to me in the garage does not... The hatch opens all the way about an inch or two lower than the Gen III.
     
    #6 Eclipse1701d, Apr 20, 2013
  7. stream

    stream Senior Member

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    I did something similar with pipe insulation (got a 6' piece for ~$1.00 at Home Depot).
     
    #7 stream, Apr 20, 2013
  8. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    I've put some pipe insulation on an underhanging metal arm on our garage door. This is after running it into the open hatch twice already. Even with the foam it's pretty catacalismic: partially derails the garage door when it happens. Gotta quit doing that.
     
    #8 Mendel Leisk, Apr 20, 2013
  9. Zormico

    Zormico Junior Member

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    hrm I am curious now if my LB would hit the top. Most likly not because I back into my garage and the garage door in up position probably does not go that far back...(back in so I can roll out and glide w/o ICE til a block down)

    Clever and cheap solution tho!
     
    #9 Zormico, Apr 20, 2013
  10. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    With me too, if I backed into our garage there would be no problem, except I hate backing into parking spaces. Maybe a skill I should learn though.
     
    #10 Mendel Leisk, Apr 20, 2013
  11. FriarNurgle

    FriarNurgle Member

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    I'm needing to do this also. The lift gate hitting the garage door or the chain shaft mechanism never crossed my mind. Glad I caught it before it hit when I opened the lift gate for the first time at home. Guess it's time to go buy some swim noodles or something.
     
    #11 FriarNurgle, Apr 22, 2013
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