1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Rear hatch hood plastic bolt clips failure & repair

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by priusrust, Nov 27, 2020.

  1. priusrust

    priusrust Member

    Joined:
    Feb 10, 2018
    171
    63
    0
    Location:
    MA
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    For a while, the 'hood' you grab to lift back hatch dangerously bowed out threatening to snap off. I'd have to pop it open a crack, then lift by grabbing underside of hatch near bumper. Took it apart, decided I'd bypass aftermarket option and repair with JB Weld & tie wraps. (this plastic piece on top of bolt head -that anchors bolt- snapped off both sides) I'm happy.(pic) However, I'm curious about the little U-shaped plastic cover on the underside of this 'hood' next to license plate light opening. Is it for wiring trailer lights? No idea....
     

    Attached Files:

    #1 priusrust, Nov 27, 2020
    donbright likes this.
  2. TMR-JWAP

    TMR-JWAP Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 12, 2016
    6,101
    5,812
    0
    Location:
    Columbia, SC
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    rear view camera cutout, for those models with the camera
     
    #2 TMR-JWAP, Nov 27, 2020
    donbright and priusrust like this.
  3. mr_guy_mann

    mr_guy_mann Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2020
    3,253
    1,359
    0
    Location:
    NJ-USA
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Looks nice, I might consider scuffing the plastic inside those "void" areas where you did the repairs and filling it solid with hot glue to reinforce things.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #3 mr_guy_mann, Nov 27, 2020
    priusrust likes this.
  4. priusrust

    priusrust Member

    Joined:
    Feb 10, 2018
    171
    63
    0
    Location:
    MA
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    That would be ideal. Reinforcing the plastic voids under the two central bolts (most crucial) would really be ideal. Don't know what Toyota was thinking... all the force of lifting was centered on the thin plastic piece holding the two bolts in from the underside. Horrible design. Was curious and asked when I bought the new white clips for $1.50 each ......they want $300 for a new latch 'hood'..... $75 for aftermarket. ....... $7.00 for JB Weld and 4 tie wraps.


    Epoxy has come a long way since I was a kid...JB Weld is amazing stuff.
     
    #4 priusrust, Nov 28, 2020
  5. mr_guy_mann

    mr_guy_mann Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2020
    3,253
    1,359
    0
    Location:
    NJ-USA
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Toyota did lots of design work on the Prius to trim weight wherever they could. Like the alloy wheels with their plastic trim rings. The rings themselves are very thin and break easily.

    I did a similar repair on my 2006 when the tailgate "handle" broke. A few bucks and some time was better for me than hundreds for a new oe part.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #5 mr_guy_mann, Nov 28, 2020
  6. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 14, 2012
    7,508
    3,773
    0
    Location:
    Wellington, New Zealand
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Toyota did not design the garnish to be used as a lift point. You are supposed to lift the hatch while pressing up on the unlock switch. If this cannot be done easily, it usually because the gas struts have leaked and either need regassing or replacing. In this case, the best point to help lift the hatch is as you pointed out on the bottom of the hatch once it had 'popped' open.
     
    #6 dolj, Nov 29, 2020
    Last edited by a moderator: Dec 3, 2020
  7. priusrust

    priusrust Member

    Joined:
    Feb 10, 2018
    171
    63
    0
    Location:
    MA
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    How /where does one re-gas gas struts? Mine are certainly weak. They start lifting only after hatch is half way open. See no sign of leaks....they are just old. (2004) Replace or re-gas?
     
    #7 priusrust, Dec 3, 2020
  8. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 14, 2012
    7,508
    3,773
    0
    Location:
    Wellington, New Zealand
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    There are third party replacements and the dealer certainly can supply new ones. I can't help with who/where you might find a regassing service.
     
    #8 dolj, Dec 3, 2020
    priusrust likes this.
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)