Sounds like I am dragging a garbage can

[Actual Mileage]

Does anyone have any experience with this issue?

This weekend the plastic underbody, splash guard, engine shield behind the front bumper of my 2006 dropped onto the road for the third time. The part that really got chewed up was the liner from the driver side wheel well. When it falls off - it is angled into the road - digs right in. Has to be damaging something other than the plastic itself.

I have not seen any posts on this - I cannot find the part at any of the stores - not even sure what it is called.

I had taken the car in in December and said the mileage had dropped, there seemed to be rumbling from the front of the car - the dealership could find nothing. I bet it was this thing working loose.

It had been replaced once already - and fixed another time. Someone must not be getting the clips in solidly.

I know how low this part of the Prius is - but I do not want to pay for a third one. Right now my shoelaces are holding the blasted thing up off the road.

1. Is it necessary?
2. What is it called?
3. Why does it keep dropping onto the pavement?

Thanks -

TD

[efusco]

It's probably not "necessary", but offers some airflow advantages and maybe a little underbody protection from small thrown rocks and mud/dirt/etc.

I suspect it's coming off b/c it's getting caught on parking spot stops...do you tend to pull far forward into parking spots? usually they get pulled off when you back out.

[Actual Mileage]

Originally Posted by efusco

It's probably not "necessary", but offers some airflow advantages and maybe a little underbody protection from small thrown rocks and mud/dirt/etc.

I suspect it's coming off b/c it's getting caught on parking spot stops...do you tend to pull far forward into parking spots? usually they get pulled off when you back out.

Thanks -

Could be. I have learned (after 3 years) not to pull into parking spots all the way - but I am old and forget.
This time it fell off after I had pulled off the highway - so I hadn't hit anything recently.

Do you happen to know what it is called and if it is something I can fix myself?

[efusco]

I don't know the official name or part number. But it is something you should be able to repair yourself.

[Actual Mileage]

Originally Posted by efusco

I don't know the official name or part number. But it is something you should be able to repair yourself.

Thanks. Wish I knew what it is called so I could get a new one. The clips are all chew up as well.

[Bob_Stan]

After reading your post, I checked that panel on my 3 week old 2009 Prius. Three of the bolts holding it on were partially unthreaded. I was able to tighten 2 of the three, but the third one will not tighten, there must be some kind of nut behind the shield that I cannot reach. Thanks for the warning.

[Patrick Wong]

Originally Posted by Actual Mileage

Thanks. Wish I knew what it is called so I could get a new one. The clips are all chew up as well.

Use this website to identify part numbers and part descriptions:
ToyoDIY.com

You are probably talking about the fender liner, and you will also want to replace all of the retainers and other hardware that secures this piece.

Then, use this website to determine discounted prices if you want to DIY and order over the web:
Champion ToyotaWorld

[Actual Mileage]

Originally Posted by Patrick Wong

Use this website to identify part numbers and part descriptions:
ToyoDIY.com

You are probably talking about the fender liner, and you will also want to replace all of the retainers and other hardware that secures this piece.

Then, use this website to determine discounted prices if you want to DIY and order over the web:
Champion ToyotaWorld

Thanks Patrick. I was trying to find a schematic -