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How to remove/replace spoiler

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by canbyprius, Feb 7, 2010.

  1. canbyprius

    canbyprius New Member

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    Are there any detailed instructions or better yet, exploded parts diagram, for how the spoiler is attached to the hatch on a 2008 Prius? Someone hit our spoiler, and it's loose and rattling, but doesn't want to come off easily.
     
  2. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Start by pulling off the black interior trim panel on the hatch interior, it is held on with 11 blue plastic clips. Grab one corner with your hands and pull until it comes loose, then pull off the panel.

    There are four bolts and three plastic clips securing the spoiler. You'll probably have to remove the rear wiper arm and motor assembly to gain access to the bolts.
     
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  3. Boo

    Boo Boola Boola Member

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    Supplementing what Patrick said:

    Sounds like one or more of the spoiler's 4 bolts and/or 3 clips is loose or broken.

    In addition to removing the rear lower interior panel with the 11 blue clips, you will also have to remove the rear upper interior panel (the narrow one behind the spoiler and the wiper arm motor assembly) which has 5 clips.

    Here's a link to TheForce's thread about his installing the Touring Edition spoiler on his Standard Prius:

    http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-...touring-b-type-rear-spoiler-installation.html

    And here's a link to the Exterior chapter of the repair/service manual which includes instructions on removing and installing the spoiler (see pages ET-16 thru ET-18):

    http://www.hybrid-synergy.eu/Documents_2006/ET%20-%20Exterior.pdf

    1/10/11 EDIT: Because the above link to the Exterior chapter is no longer available, I've attached below a PDF of the Exterior chapter.

    Note that if you need replacement clips for the spoiler or the interior panels, I think you'll have to get them from your dealer (or other OEM parts vendor).
     

    Attached Files:

  4. canbyprius

    canbyprius New Member

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    "Boo"

    Thank you, this is exactly what I was looking for!
     
  5. Boo

    Boo Boola Boola Member

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    No problem. Check your Private Messages. I sent you more stuff. Good luck.
     
  6. McKeeius

    McKeeius New Member

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    Hello,

    I would love to hear about if you were able to replace the spoiler and solve this issue.

    I have an '09 package 2, and I stupidly left the hatch open while working on the car, then backed it up to test something, and pried the spoiler off a little bit so it is loose on the left and right sides. Now if I press on it hard enough on either side, it seems to 'snap' into place, but it is no longer flush, and if I slam closed the hatch it unbuckles and makes noise when driving.

    I am trying to learn how to do more of this work myself, so I want to try to fully diagnose how much damage I did - clips or whatever, and possibly do it myself, or do it on the cheap - order the parts myself and take to a body shop.

    Let me know how your issue ended up working out. Thanks
     
  7. mikeross

    mikeross New Member

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    Yes it is best if you take it to a body shop. I remember damaging the spoiler myself while I was trying to install it.
     
  8. WillR

    WillR New Member

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    Boo and others: I had the misfortune of backing out of the garage with the rear hatch open and caught the spoiler on the garage door. The spoiler plastic is cracked at the bolt attachments. I would like to repair it rather than replace it. What kind of plastic glue would work to repair the breaks in the plastic?

    I tried removing the panels on the inside of the hatch with no luck so far. It was mentioned that one really has to force the clips loose, so I will be more forceful next time. Can I assume that I can replace any clips that break?

    Thanks!
    Will
     
  9. fossilfuel

    fossilfuel New Member

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    Wow, this is exactly what happend to me recently. Not sure if I should have Toyota Dealer look/fix or a bodyshop. I doubt I can get insurance to pay for it. Seems like it can just pop/clip back in, but I am not too car savy so dont want to mess with it.
     
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  10. mamaloosa

    mamaloosa Junior Member

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    I have done exactly the same thing; catching rear hatch open and catching it on the garage door. My dealer wants over $600 to replace the spoiler. That incluces $300 for a NEW spoiler, and $300++ to paint and install. My gripe is, there's NOTHING wrong with the spoiler itself; it just rattles. I'm assuming that's because the clips are broken or damaged. Can the clips be ordered and replaced by a body shop?
     
  11. born2pdl

    born2pdl Junior Member

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    The bolts/nuts in the spoiler itsself must have been loosened or broken out. I'd remove the spoiler as described above, then buy some JB weld at any auto parts store. If the spoiler is distorted around the fastener mount, you may need to heat it up locally and manipulate it back into its original shape. Sounds like a Saturday afternoon project. Shouldn't be bad at all.
     
  12. jackjroadster

    jackjroadster New Member

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    Hi. Does any one here have links to videos on how to replace a spoiler? thanks for any help
     
  13. jackjroadster

    jackjroadster New Member

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    I came across this one from how to replace a spoiler,but I think it's a general one so I having second thoughts. I was trying to look for other videos since my cousin from Alabama is asking for one. Could we rely on this even if it's a general one? thanks for any opinion.
     
  14. Kutanks

    Kutanks Member

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    Anyone know where to buy the touring spoiler?
     
  15. geethanr

    geethanr New Member

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    Spoiler replacement Red 2010 Prius

    Hi Folks,

    Help needed. My wife broker the spoiler by backing out of our garage with the rear hatch open. I ordered a spoiler from parts.com. Can some tell me if this needs to be painted? My spoiler is black.

    And do I need to order any parts?? I could not find the green clips or the double-sided tape to order that I guess hold the spoiler in place.

    Thanks much,

    GMan
     
  16. LIPriusFreak

    LIPriusFreak Can I haz JDM?

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  17. Rest

    Rest Active Member

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    So just yesterday I backed my 2007 Prius out of the garage with the hatch open and it hit the garage door, just like others have done. Besides a small scratch on the spoiler, it's popped up a bit on the end. Something snapped and it won't sit flush in the rear with the hatch now, it also makes noise while driving.

    I'm going to have to keep it and try to repair it myself, because I just can't get over how expensive it is to replace or get repaired. I was thinking about repainting the rear deck spoiler anyway due to paint weathering, the rest of the car is fine. I just need to remove it, repaint it, replace the broken clips and reinstall it. Doesn't look that easy though, I have to find the correct paint color and replacement clips.
     
  18. tyang54

    tyang54 Junior Member

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    If you go to parts.com choose : Toyota>Prius>Touring (or Base)>Body hardware>Lift Gate>Spoiler you can order a new spoiler $248.78. It is not clear what color you get or if you have to paint it later.

    I had the same encounter with the garage door while the hatch was open and was able to repair it with minimal cost.

    The trick was to make sure that the metal underneath was bent bent back to its original shape. When the spoiler pulled loose it actually bent the metal into which the spoiler was bolted. The spoiler clips were not connecting because the bent metal lifted the spoiler higher than it should have been. Once the metal was pounded back down, the spoiler fit down flush and the clips locked into place.

    I managed to break off one of the plastic female ends of the clip and ended up using JB Weld to glue it back in place.
    before.jpg
    metal is pulled out...

    after.jpg
    make sure this metal is flat with the surrounding
     

    Attached Files:

  19. Rest

    Rest Active Member

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    Finally got around to fixing my rear spoiler. Had to buy two rivet clips ($3 each) from the dealership, for each end of the spoiler. Also, if I had known to use a trim panel tool to pop off the trim clips and not to pull the panel off by hand, I wouldn't have had to use plastic epoxy on one of the trim female clip ends that I broke.

    I've read where others have said to remove the rear wiper motor to get to one of the spoiler bolts, even a removal schematic says to do this. However, I didn't have to do this at all as none of the bolts were under the motor. So I'm confused why others have had to remove this motor.
     
  20. billh

    billh Junior Member

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    FYI; I had my hatch open in the garage, garage door open. Wife came home and hit the door opener, not realizing it was already open, then as she pulled in saw it closing and reopened. As it went back up it caught the hatch. Well you know how that doesn't work. But I got a very easy and inexpensive fix. Scotch has velcro like fasteners but much more rigid and stronger. I mushed the two fastener parts together and removed the tape exposing the glue surfaces top and bottom. Pushing up on the wing gave me just enough room to slide the fastener into the gap. the Fasteners hold well, although the wing is slightly higher (maybe 3/16") than original. The annoying rattle on hitting bumps and closing the hatch is gone, and with the hatch closed you would really not see the difference. Total cost about $3.00. Time to repair about 5 minutes.
     
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