Is the Fender Liner Pad (53852-47010) necessary?

Happened to mine also, this is backside, I think, mine is dismantled, one bolt came out, the other snapped. Maybe just drill a couple holes and use regular nut and bolt. Little plastic stubs secure the metal backer to the fender liner.

 

Seems like from@alftoy post that the best fix it is to replace the part in his pic as well and not bother with rusted out threads.

And as for just leaving it as is, I always explain to people that if you're super thorough and fix these little things as professionally as possible soon as you notice them, then later on down the road when your car needs a major repair, this problem and other similar ones won't add up to moving on from a Prius that has "too many things wrong with it" to keep putting money into.

 

I would think that you could find a parts breakdown in the maintenance manual. I can send you a link to download the Gen2 maintenance manual so PM me and ask.

JeffD

 

You click on the user's name and then click on start a "conversation"

JeffD

 

Here's a link that will get you far enough down the rabbit hole to start the search to find what you're looking for: AM Front Left Driver Side LH Splash Shield Fender Linner For 04-09 Toyota Prius | eBay

Just scroll down and see similar items, then start entering the correct search terms and you should be able to find everything you need.

 

If you get them from Ebay, make sure they have the metal backing.

Complete Fender liner NEW is $90, call the salvage yards in the attached pic. Cox or Smileys or whichever salvage is closer to you. The prices are for fenders, if they have the fenders probably have the inner fender liner for about $25. The database doesn't list liners.

https://parts.olathetoyota.com/v-2008-toyota-prius--base--1-5l-l4-electric-gas/body--fender-and-components

Use car-part.com to search your area for salvage yards, input your zip code, vehicle and part you are looking for. Let your fingers do the walking.

Car-Part.com--Used Auto Parts Market

Cox Auto Parts, Inc. | Baltimore, MD

Smileys Auto Parts | Rising Sun, MD

 

Probably doesn't matter if you use the flap. If you want to reuse them, more ways to fasten.

Notice the pic of the metal backing, has a hole in the middle, maybe drill thru the hole and bolt, before you do that use 3m bonding tape, tape the mud flap and then use the bolt. The rear bumper has similar spoilers fastened by tape to the bottom of the bumper. Can also use 3m structural adhesive. Ask at any auto body supply. Structural adhesive used for metal body panels.

Some 3m adhesive I bought a couple years ago, just in case.

Another option just do away with the metal backing and use plastic clips and 3M VHB tape to fasten the flap, same way the rear spoiler is attached under the rear bumper. 3M VHB tape used to attach emblems on vehicles.

C45 - Made for Toyota, Lexus, Scion, Bumper Retainer Replacement 15 Cl – NWCLIPS

 

My guess is that little flap helps a teeny bit with overall aerodynamics. Me, I would consider moving it over maybe 1/4 to 1/2 inch and drilling 2 new small pilot holes, then secure it with new stainless sheetmetal screws.

If you wanted to try and replace the entire fender liner; go OE because many aftermarket parts have (not very good) fit and likely would not include "extra" bits like that metal mounting strip. Further, if those screws broke off then expect more of the other screws to do the same.

Or just leave the flap off and not worry about it.

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

My experience with after-market injection molding parts like these is that they usually fit great and sometimes they slightly change the design, for example thickening up the molding in place of the metal bar.

Regardless, you'll be able to figure all that out when it arrives. Worst case scenario you'll have to use some plumber's tape and some bolts. Or even worse case scenario, it doesn't fit and you get your money back and you don't even have to ship the part back, which is my favorite aspect of ebay purchases.

 

Are these the little flaps which are located under the car just ahead of the front wheels, and are parallel to the bumper? If so this is one of the few places where using sheet metal screws would not be a great idea. The purpose of those flaps on cars is to divert the airstream away from the rectangular cross section of the oncoming tire, and so slightly decrease drag. As I understand it, the little rectangle causes less drag than the big rectangle of the tire itself, and the tire essentially drafts in the little flap's wind shadow. The issue in this case is that there can be a fair amount of force on that flap at highway speeds (stick your open and vertical hand out the window to feel it) and that is likely to tear out the screws. If they come out they are right in front of the oncoming tire and might end up stuck into it, in the worst case, causing a flat.

If the big piece of plastic can be put back onto the vehicle with this flap already attached, then just use some washers and locknuts to mount the flap before doing so. You won't be able to remove the flap without taking off the fender again, but it seems pretty unlikely it will ever need to come off again. (If this is one of those instances where the flap mounts under another big piece of plastic, and its bolts go through that, then though a second piece of plastic, and into bolts attached to that second piece, never mind.)