2012 Wheel Well Liner

Hi all. I'm a newbie here...

I bought a 2012 Prius just about three months ago... think I got one of the last "new" 2012 models around! Well, sounds like I've done what a lot of folks have done in that I misjudged the ground clearance when I first got it and "skidded" the bottom right (passenger side) of the car on the "bump" going into my driveway... all seemed well at first, except for some scratching that wasn't noticeable unless you were under the car. Until...

My wife drove the car for the first time this weekend (her minivan was in for service) and she did the same thing. This time, the plastic flap between the spoiler and the wheel well tore (which I'm not blaming her for as the tear probably started with me, this one just did it in).

As I was under the car trying to figure out if I could push it back into place (I can't... tear is pretty big), I noticed the part number is embossed on the flap that is now hanging down (Part # 53875-47030). I got on line thinking it was just this small square-ish piece of plastic, but see that it's really the whole fender well assembly. It looks like one big molded piece.

So, has anyone had experience replacing this themselves? Am I right that it's one piece, or can I buy the whole piece and just replace the flap part and throw away the rest? Is this an "easy" job, or do you have to disconnect something in the engine bay to get to the wheel well. I don't mind removing the tire, but that's about as far as I want to go...

Basically, this car has less than 4,000 miles on it and I'm not that familiar with it yet... I want to know if this is a DIY type job or should I take it to the dealership and have it done. Also, if you've done it and it's easy, will I need more than just the part (like push in clips)?

Your knowledge is appreciated.

 

Well, I didn't get any replies, but I will give an update...

The question can be disregarded. I got a new wheel-well liner installed at the dealership yesterday. The part cost me slightly more than it would have ordering it off the internet, but it's likely a wash because of the shipping cost. The labor they charged was 1/2 an hour and it was well worth it for me... when you do these repairs yourself, unexperienced, it always takes longer than you think and there is some part you end up needing 1/2 way through so, it turns into an emergency trip to get the part (and that's if the parts place is even open as most of us do this in the evening or on a weekend!).

Bottom line is I got it fixed... the small tear in my spoiler is still there as are the scratches, but they are minor and so low you have to get down on the ground to really see them. The total cost was about $160 (part, labor, tax) so the savings between doing it myself and letting the dealer do it for me was probably around $50 - $60. You can probably get the part for a little less, but shipping will negate the difference (I think the part was just sout of $100 at the dealer, but on-line I found it for in the $70 range - OEM only... not aftermarket). My time of not having to do it was worth this to me, but if you're on a tight budget the only thing you'll really save is the labor.

For anyone thinking they may want to do this job, I did go into the service bay area while they were doing this to my car and it doesn't look complicated. I would recommend ordering the replacement clips along with the part. Most of the part is held on by bolts (10mm, I think), but there are several push in clips... they are plastic and are either broken or chipped as the old liner is removed... another reason to consider allowing the dealer replace it for you.

 

Thanks, Mike. I've got about 4K on the Prius now (think it had about 300 mi. when I picked it up) and am enjoying it.

I noticed your avatar... what wheels do you have? I noticed the wheels on mine when they had the hubcaps off yesterday and have read here on the forum about people getting center caps for them and leaving the hubcaps off... But seems I've also heard it can effect gas mileage... not sure what I want to do yet as the car is still "new," but I want to improve the looks... had the windows tinted just yesterday!

 

I'm in Maryland... I didn't go for the Five mainly because of the 17" wheels (that and the more expensive to replace LED headlights). I knew it lowered the mileage and the tires wear a little faster. I am going for low cost of ownership overall. This is my commuter... I have a '62 Austin Healey 3000 that I drive for "fun."

My service person and mechanic at the dealership both mentioned the bare black OEM wheels yesterday, but the mechanic also mentioned something he said he'd seen that looked pretty good as well. He said a customer with a black Prius had taken the hubcaps and sanded them and then painted them a smooth flat black. He suggested that I try that as it he thought it would look good on the silver car with tinted windows. I may give that a shot.