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Small gap in fender area?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by sosarahsays, Feb 6, 2014.

  1. sosarahsays

    sosarahsays Member

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    I noticed the seam between the body and the bumper/fender part on my Prius was gaping ever so slightly today. It looks like there are a few light scratches, so maybe someone lightly bumped me? I tried pushing it in and up in case a clip wasn't catching, but I can't get it to completely close. Any ideas, Prius chatters? I know it's a minute thing, but now that I've noticed, it bothers me.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
    #1 sosarahsays, Feb 6, 2014
  2. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    I would recommend you stop looking at it, it'll just bother you more. Someone might have bumped you but I can't tell by the pictures. All the clips look to be in place. Could also be your imagination. .....

    SM-N900P ?
     
    #2 JC91006, Feb 6, 2014
  3. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    That would bother me too. :(

    You could try removing the bumper cover and check the clips.

    SCH-I535
     
    #3 xliderider, Feb 6, 2014
  4. orenji

    orenji Senior Member

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    I see it and that would bother me too, have a mobile bumper guy come by and look at, should be a simple fix.
     
    #4 orenji, Feb 6, 2014
  5. sosarahsays

    sosarahsays Member

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    Is that a tough operation? I don't have a garage or anything. Is there a screw in that area that might just need to be tightened? I looked around but didn't see anything obvious.
    I didn't even know mobile bumper repair was a thing! I will look to see if we have any here in DC.


    Both of these things failing, might just take it to an auto body shop and hope it's not too $$$$. It's really probably mostly noticeable to me, but I like things perfect and now I know it's there. :(
     
    #5 sosarahsays, Feb 6, 2014
  6. orenji

    orenji Senior Member

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    Or road trip to Cali, and have it repaired by a Mobile Bumper dude! :LOL:
     
    #6 orenji, Feb 6, 2014
    DadofHedgehog and sosarahsays like this.
  7. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    There is only 1 bolt that holds the bumper, it's at the end of the bumper, both sides are the same. Rest of them are like bumper clips, which looks to be in place. Not sure what else you can do.

    You can look at some YouTube videos. Look for headlight removal videos, many take off the bumper.

    SM-N900P ?
     
    #7 JC91006, Feb 6, 2014
  8. sosarahsays

    sosarahsays Member

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    So, I was just watching this video for a Gen II, but maybe the Gen III is similar and I can just get a new bumper cover retainer for the front? Hmm... [off to research some more]

     
    #8 sosarahsays, Feb 7, 2014
    ou812 likes this.
  9. El Dobro

    El Dobro A Member

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    Just loosen the bolt and push the bumper cover back in place.
     
    #9 El Dobro, Feb 8, 2014
  10. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    You can check Washington Checkbook.com or possibly Angie's List for repair shops in our area that may be good for smaller stuff. If you find one, let me know.

    Washington Consumers' CHECKBOOK
     
    #10 wjtracy, Feb 8, 2014
    sosarahsays likes this.
  11. sosarahsays

    sosarahsays Member

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    Which bolt? The one in the wheel well? I'd love it if I could just loosen and re-tighten it back into place. You think I can do it with a hand screwdriver? I don't have a power one...
     
    #11 sosarahsays, Feb 9, 2014
  12. sosarahsays

    sosarahsays Member

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    Guessing this is the screw thing (technical term) in the wheel well?
     
    #12 sosarahsays, Feb 9, 2014
  13. El Dobro

    El Dobro A Member

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    Yep, that's the one. It's a bolt that takes a 10mm socket.
     
    #13 El Dobro, Feb 9, 2014
  14. sosarahsays

    sosarahsays Member

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    Cool, so you think I should just loosen it, push it back into place, and tighten it up?

    This might be the cheapest DIY ever.
     
    #14 sosarahsays, Feb 9, 2014
  15. sosarahsays

    sosarahsays Member

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    ETA: When I bought the car, there was some road rash/cube scrapeage on the bumper cover that the stealership repaired as part of the sale. I am wondering if they just didn't re-install the bumper back exactly right and I am just noticing now...
     
    #15 sosarahsays, Feb 9, 2014
  16. El Dobro

    El Dobro A Member

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    Mess with it until it looks better. The screw may even be too tight, which will push the bumper cover out.
     
    #16 El Dobro, Feb 9, 2014
    sosarahsays likes this.
  17. emily's prius c

    emily's prius c New Member

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    I'm having a similar issue--clipped a snowbank this winter and now the seam of the fender is popped out on one side. How can you tell by looking if it is still in the clips? Do I have to unbolt it too? I didn't see the bolt in the wheel well. Do you know approx where it is?
     
    #17 emily's prius c, May 30, 2015
  18. emily's prius c

    emily's prius c New Member

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    here is what it looks like--when i look at the other side, there seems to be a piece on the inside that catches the eyelet-- i dont see a piece when i gently pull the fender back ??
     

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    #18 emily's prius c, May 30, 2015
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