Broke my undercarriage plastic thing

[footprintx]

I broke that plastic piece that runs along the front part of the undercarriage of the car, and now it hangs a little down and catches on speed bumps and such. I took it in to my local Toyota Dealer and the dealer said a new plastic piece would cost $345, but he could jerry rig it for $40 and if it didn't work he'd apply that $40 to the cost of the re-do.

Well, it didn't work, this was a few days ago and as soon as I hit 75 on the freeway, it came down and started dragging.

Any ideas on what I should do? Is that piece even necessary or will not having it significantly decrease my mpg? Do you think they'd have one on the local pick-a-part? Could I just bolt on a large piece of graphite to the plastic that's still stable down there? It's up near the front and the holes where the clips attach are busted except for one of them.

[Neicy]

You mean like this, only worse? I got some fender washers but haven't gotten under it to see if it works yet. I think I will duct tape mine before I would put out $345.00 to get it replaced.

[footprintx]

Yes, exactly! Only ... worse. It used to look like that. Look out, once it starts hanging like that it starts getting caught on everything: speed-bumps, steep-driveways. Should I just duct-tape it?

[wchardin]

Originally Posted by footprintx

I took it in and the dealer said a new plastic piece would cost $345, but he could jerry rig it for $40 and if it didn't work he'd apply that $40 to the cost of the re-do.

Did you take it to a Toyota dealer or a different type dealer? I would try and shop around. $345 seems much for that. A local dealer might be able to drill holes and fix it flush to the rest of the undercarriage. Good luck and let us know if you get it fixed.

[Scott_R]

Originally Posted by footprintx

I broke that plastic piece that runs along the entire undercarriage of the car, and now it hangs a little down and catches on speed bumps and such. I took it in and the dealer said a new plastic piece would cost $345, but he could jerry rig it for $40 and if it didn't work he'd apply that $40 to the cost of the re-do.

Well, it didn't work, this was a few days ago and as soon as I hit 75 on the freeway, it came down and started dragging.

Any ideas on what I should do? Is that piece even necessary or will not having it significantly decrease my mpg? Do you think they'd have one on the local pick-a-part? Could I just bolt on a large piece of graphite to the plastic that's still stable down there? It's up near the front and the holes where the clips attach are busted except for one of them.

When I did something similar to my car, I used some epoxy (the two-part putty stuff) to fix it.

I removed the bolt, kneaded up some putty, and smoothed it over the area, overlapping it over the existing plastic on the top and bottom and smoothing it relatively flat. I pushed the screw through a bit, just enough to make a modest hole. When it dried, I reattached it. Worked perfectly.

[GatorJZ]

Just to make it easier for you, it is called a "splash guard".

[patsparks]

PriusChat Shop, get the alloy undertray. It will cost a little more but is much tougher for next time.

[footprintx]

@patsparks: couldn't seem to find that on PriusChat Shop, by search or browsing.

[GatorJZ]

Originally Posted by footprintx

@patsparks: couldn't seem to find that on PriusChat Shop, by search or browsing.

Search for BT Tech Skid Plate.

[Syclone]

I just had mine replaced. It was 61.00 plus labor ( dealer did it free because one of the mechanics had screwed up a service item). Find another dealer!!