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C sound deadening Pt 1 - wheel wells

Discussion in 'Prius c Main Forum' started by garm, May 9, 2013.

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  1. garm

    garm mpg + cool = win

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    One of my pet peeves with Toyotas is that they don't paint or sound deaden thoroughly from the factory. There are a few easy things you can do about this.

    One place they always skimp out is in the wheel wells.
    Jack up the car. Remove the wheels.
    Remove plastic trim pieces.
    Mask off all suspension and brake parts.
    Spray two coats of undercoating/sound deadener (shown in the picture, use whatever you like, thicker would be better).
    Put it all back together. Enjoy a quieter ride with less tire noise.

    [​IMG]
     
    #1 garm, May 9, 2013
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  2. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    I've been meaning to do this but I wondered if it was worth the effort. I assume if you used something heavy duty it would help but I figured basic rubberized undercoating wouldn't be enough. How did it work for you?
     
    #2 F8L, May 10, 2013
  3. garm

    garm mpg + cool = win

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    ^ Besides the aesthetic improvement of not seeing half-painted wheel wells any more, it really does help suppress some tire noise. For $10 (two cans), I think it's worth it.

    I'll bet there is a thicker product that would work even better; if anyone tries it, please post up. :)
     
    #3 garm, May 10, 2013
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  4. 1911Tex

    1911Tex Junior Member

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    #4 1911Tex, May 11, 2013
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  5. garm

    garm mpg + cool = win

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    ^ Cool, thanks! Maybe I'll try that on the fronts.
     
    #5 garm, May 11, 2013
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    f8l, let us know if you try it and if there is a discernable difference in sound. i would do this if it made a big difference.
     
    #6 bisco, May 11, 2013
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  7. novasquid

    novasquid Junior Member

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    It would be helpful if sound levels were measured before and after. Aren't there phone apps for that?
     
    #7 novasquid, May 14, 2013
  8. garm

    garm mpg + cool = win

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    ^ I doubt they are sensitive enough. Sorry but it's going to be a subjective result for me, at least.
     
    #8 garm, May 15, 2013
  9. ztanos

    ztanos All-around Geek!

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    #9 ztanos, May 15, 2013
  10. SquallLHeart

    SquallLHeart The Techie Guy

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    yea.. having added noise from the stiffer suspension and slightly inflated over spec on the tires.. i can imagine this helping only a bit for me.. but definitely adds that aesthetic improvement.
     
    #10 SquallLHeart, May 16, 2013
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  11. TC400

    TC400 Active Member

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    How does it look when the car sitting at normal height?
     
    #11 TC400, May 18, 2013
  12. garm

    garm mpg + cool = win

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    I got two cans of the Eastwood stuff today. I'll do the front wheel wells with that product. More pics to come.
     
    #12 garm, May 18, 2013
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  13. Mo G

    Mo G Member

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    Is this stuff flexible enough to pull off in case you have to change a bulb in The fogs or turn signal? I wouldn't mind the sound deadening but not at the cost of not being able to pull the covers for simple bulb changes.
     
    #13 Mo G, May 20, 2013
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  14. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    You wouldn't access any of those items from the wheel well.

    Any wires or holes/bolts should be masked off before spraying.
     
    #14 F8L, May 20, 2013
  15. Mo G

    Mo G Member

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    I pulled it apart installing my head lamps, it's a lot easier to access the fogs from the wheel wells. The plastic just bends back and you have easy access to all the stuff behind the bumper. But does the sound deadening stuff harden up? Or does it have some give?
     
    #15 Mo G, May 21, 2013
  16. ztanos

    ztanos All-around Geek!

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    The C's manual clearly says to remove the inner liner to access the headlight bulb.
     
    #16 ztanos, May 21, 2013
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  17. garm

    garm mpg + cool = win

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    I wouldn't spray the inside of the bumper (that serves very little purpose in terms of sound deadening), only the wheel wells. So there is no problem with wiring/foglights/headlights.
     
    #17 garm, May 22, 2013
  18. ztanos

    ztanos All-around Geek!

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    But you would need to be able to remove the inner fender to change the bulbs... how's that going to work? Post some pics when you are finished if you don't mind, please.
     
    #18 ztanos, May 22, 2013
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  19. karabits

    karabits Member

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    Yes, this is referenced on pages 413-418 in the 2012 Prius c owner's manual. Headlights aren't replaced through the wheel wells, but fog lights, front marker lights and turn signals are. But very interested in this sound deadening technique.
     
    #19 karabits, May 22, 2013
  20. ztanos

    ztanos All-around Geek!

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    You are absolutely correct. I haven't changed my heads in a while... I was thinking the fogs.
     
    #20 ztanos, May 22, 2013
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