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'07 front fender fit

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by Bill Merchant, Mar 6, 2007.

  1. Bill Merchant

    Bill Merchant absit invidia

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    Can some '07 owners answer a question for me? If you lightly push on the top of the front fender, just below the A pillar, is there some give? Does it seem like the sheet metal is slightly loose? If you have some play, is it the same on both sides?

    Thanks.
     
    #1 Bill Merchant, Mar 6, 2007
  2. nwpa

    nwpa New Member

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    Mine does not seem "loose". The sheet metal is very slightly flexible but no more than what would be expected. Both sides are the same.
     
    #2 nwpa, Mar 6, 2007
  3. Bill Merchant

    Bill Merchant absit invidia

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    Thanks, Perk. On my wife's 2005 Prius, the fenders under the A pillars are tight and solid. On my 2007, there's flex and movement. I hope Toyota's increased Prius production didn't come at the cost of poorer quality.
     
    #3 Bill Merchant, Mar 6, 2007
  4. Bill Merchant

    Bill Merchant absit invidia

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    A little update, and a plea for more input! I went to the dealer today to ask about my loose fenders. The service writer took me to a conveniently parked 2007 and the fenders were even looser than mine! They could really vibrate!

    I talked to the service manager, who is a good guy from past experience, and he agreed that body panels on Toyotas don't usually move like that. He said the Toyota rep is coming to the dealer around the 20th and could I bring my car in then. Of course I agreed.

    Again, if you have a 2007, gently push on the front fender just under the pillar by the windshield. Does it move? Does it make a sound?
     
    #4 Bill Merchant, Mar 7, 2007
  5. eej5

    eej5 New Member

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    I just went and gave my 2007 a little push. There is some give. Seems about equal on both sides to me. I don't think this is something I would have ever thought an issue if I hadn't seen the question posed here -- I doubt I would have pushed it at all. That said, I'll be interested in what you find out.
     
    #5 eej5, Mar 7, 2007
  6. Bill Merchant

    Bill Merchant absit invidia

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    Thanks eej5, I wasn't just pushing around on my car for the fun of it. I was treating all the rubber and plastic with 303 Aerospace Protectant prior to cleaning the glass with Zaino glass polish and then sealing the paint with Zaino.

    It's definitely not solid like my 2005.

    Anybody else notice loose front fenders on a 2007?
     
    #6 Bill Merchant, Mar 7, 2007
  7. JimN

    JimN Let the games begin!

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    Bill, your question intrigued me. We had some snow here throughout the day. My 2006 Prius was parked in the driveway. I scraped some ice off the glass and decided to push on the fenders. I got creaking sounds on both sides maybe due to cracking ice but they both felt flimsy like I could dent them just by pressing on them. Just for comparision I pushed on the fender of my 2000 Intrigue which I drove today. The thicker gauge steel did not give. My boss has a 2007 Prius and he arrives at the office before I do. I will discreetly press on his fenders for comparision.

    With the Prius being thin skinned I can see why it would be a dent magnet with higher costs for body work. This is why I was amazed that it can stay intact through a convenience store.
     
    #7 JimN, Mar 7, 2007
  8. JimN

    JimN Let the games begin!

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(JimN @ Mar 7 2007, 09:07 PM) [snapback]401994[/snapback]</div>
    My boss' 2007 fenders did not have any give. They felt like the Intrigue's.
     
    #8 JimN, Mar 8, 2007
  9. Bill Merchant

    Bill Merchant absit invidia

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    Thanks Jim. This seems really random. Some cars are tight, some have loose fenders.

    Anybody else with a 2007, please report!

    Thanks a lot!
     
    #9 Bill Merchant, Mar 9, 2007
  10. Traffic

    Traffic New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Bill Merchant @ Mar 9 2007, 01:15 AM) [snapback]402661[/snapback]</div>
    2007 Mine are loose as well..............................
     
    #10 Traffic, Mar 9, 2007
  11. CheapChic

    CheapChic New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Bill Merchant @ Mar 6 2007, 02:23 AM) [snapback]400769[/snapback]</div>
    It is tight to me, just a tad of metal give.
     
    #11 CheapChic, Mar 9, 2007
  12. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    Re: '07 front fender fit

    Hi Bill,
    Do you mean right under where the tiny front corner window comes to a point? My 07 fender is very tight except right there at that corner. Slightest push and its not loose but fender metal is very flimsy right there. Poor support area?
     
    #12 edthefox5, Jan 18, 2008
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