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Sticky Trunk Release Button Replacement - Not that easy

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Bluesman78, Aug 16, 2017.

  1. Bluesman78

    Bluesman78 Member

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    you guys make it look so easy. 10 1/2 year old prius, never was changed, super gummy. I bought the kit with the screw driver on Ebay and it looked easy enough, what could go wrong.

    First off, those screws do NOT come off easy. They are gummed on there nice and good. I must've used a can of WD-40 to just get the screws out. That took 20 minutes

    OK they are OUT. Now - to remove the old cover. But wait, it's not a cover anymore, it's gum and the only way to "remove" it is to try to scrap as much of the stuff off. That took about 20 minutes.

    Then, trying to put the new cover on when you can't really get it nice and clean. Almost nearly impossible, had to keep trying and then trying to scrape off more gum, etc. Part of the lip on the new cover broke thanks to nice cheap rubber.

    Then, trying ot put the new screws in with the almost stripped screw head, a kit screwdriver which barely worked.

    It seems to have worked. Took 1.5 hours, my hands are jet black (tried using gloves to begin with, but have to abandon that for manual dexterity. I just hope the rubber stays on or it melts soon and just reattaches firmly.

    Bottom line. I hope I didn't make it worse, if it's really not bothering you then don't bother it. I should've left it alone and just cleaned it with degreaser to get the top later sticky gunk off!!!
     
  2. The Phoenix

    The Phoenix Member

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    I'm sorry it cause you so much trouble I did about the same thing but mine must have not been as melted. I had to do some scraping but it fit pretty well. I used the angled screw driver provided and I re used the screws. It's probably been a year or more since I did it and everything is fine. Did you buy from IE Works?
     
  3. Bluesman78

    Bluesman78 Member

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    I bought it from Amazon, only place selling the kit. I think if the screws weren't a pain to deal with then it would've been easier. Problem with a 10.5 year old car I guess...
     
  4. The Phoenix

    The Phoenix Member

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    I did it on a 08 and my fingers were black after the job but I'm happy with it. I just tried to take a pic for you but it's way too sunny
     
  5. Bluesman78

    Bluesman78 Member

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    I'm happy with the outcome and my nails are still a little black but it didn't take 10 minutes. I don't want to discourage anyone but just know what they are getting into. I hope the part stays on well. I should've replaced the screws with something with better heads. I saw a few youtube videos do that, they replace them with hex heads so doesn't need that angled screw driver.
     
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  6. WilDavis

    WilDavis Senior Member

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    I replaced mine using the kit (see threads passim) and found removing the rear registration-plate made it so much easier to get at the screws (I used those supplied in the kit since the originals had started to corrode) :)
     
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  7. Bluesman78

    Bluesman78 Member

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    Agreed. Also a nice can of WD-40 handy helps. Maybe even goo-gone. I used a degreaser to help clean it. Did't help it was hot out too :)
     
  8. WilDavis

    WilDavis Senior Member

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    …but hot can be good! I'm reminded when I first got my (used) 2009 Gen II, one of the first DIY jobs I attempted was re-glueing the rear-bumper protector using double-sided tape and a hair-dryer - the job would have been so much easier if I'd done it in August rather than mid-January!
     
  9. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    I'm afraid you did it the hard way. I wish they didn't include that right angle screwdriver. The rubber cover actually wraps around the switch, so you need to take the switch off and that can only be done from the inside.

    Step 1: Open the hatch and use a plastic pry tool to pop off the lower inside black cover so you can get to the fasteners inside the hatch. I found it easiest to start at the lower outside corners.
    Step 2: Unplug the four light, glass heater, and switch connectors.
    Step 3: Take off the four 10mm nuts. Be careful to not drop them down into the hatch.
    Step 4: Pop off the piece holding the switch and the license plate lights.
    Step 5: Pull the grommet for the switch wire out so you can remove the whole unit from the car. Then take it to your work bench.
    Step 6: Remove the switch from the "whatever you call that part that holds it." Remove the two screws you had been struggling with while trying it the hard way. Now the switch is just held by the little clips that the screws went into. Pinch them with needle nosed pliers from the back and push them out.
    Step 7: Clean up the gooey mess. Worst part of the whole job. I used paint thinner after removing the heaviest stuff with a razor blade. Just don't scrub any painted areas that you want to look pretty.
    Step 8: Put the new switch cover on, making sure the little bumps go into the holes in the rubber cover. I think there are four along each side.
    Step 9: Put it back together.

    It's not a 10 minute job. But, other than the cleaning, it's very easy. I guess it took me about a half hour once I discovered that that silly screwdriver wasn't going to get it. I have pictures in post #9 here: Tailgate latch handle | PriusChat
     
  10. Bluesman78

    Bluesman78 Member

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    I am aware that that's a way to do it. The instructions in the kit I got said that this was a way to do it.

    In fact, if I was going to go through all that trouble I would have just replaced the switch as well because it's almost impossible to clean all that gunk out anyways. It's also kind of a pain to go through all that to replace a solitary rubber piece, I would have probably left it as is if that was the only option.

    For future folks, I would take off the license plate and be prepared to replace the screws at the end so it's easier to fix it for next time, but hopefully never needs to be fixed again.
     
  11. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    Or just use duct tape. I used it for a year and it was working fine. When I found the inexpensive cover, I got it as a little project as another reminder to the wife that she's important to me. Wasn't hard at all and she appreciated it.
     
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  12. bgatesman

    bgatesman Junior Member

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    Thank you, this really helped, it wasn't as bad as it sounds.
     
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