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Rear Spoiler knocked off!!!

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by tanner9868, Apr 2, 2013.

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  1. tanner9868

    tanner9868 Junior Member

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    Has anyone had to repair/or replace the rear spoiler(and 3rd brake light) yet on a 2012 Prius. I am wondering how hard it is to do. And is there any place to get a break on the parts? My dealership wants over $535 plus tax just for the parts.

    Any tips would be greatly appreciated.....

    Thanks again.
     
    #1 tanner9868, Apr 2, 2013
  2. tanner9868

    tanner9868 Junior Member

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    FYI... my wife just learned that even though the 2009 Prius could fit in the garage with the back door open, the 2012 just didn't make it...lol
     
    #2 tanner9868, Apr 2, 2013
  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    o/p, what happened?
     
    #3 bisco, Apr 2, 2013
  4. The Dude

    The Dude Member

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    +1
     
    #4 The Dude, Apr 3, 2013
  5. NutzAboutBolts

    NutzAboutBolts Senior Member

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    First you want to remove all the plastic panels on the back door, it is hold on by clips and claws. You can use a moulding remover tool to pry on the panels.
    Then you'll have 5 nuts to remove once all the panels are out.
    Each side of the spoiler is hold onto 1 screw and 1 clip.

    I haven't done this myself, but that's what I've found out for you. You do this at your own risk. If you break anything. I'm not liable for it.
     
    #5 NutzAboutBolts, Apr 3, 2013
    Fostel likes this.
  6. car compulsive

    car compulsive Active Member

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    I loaned the Prius to my future wife and her sister to help in moving their mom to a new assisted living apartment. (Car was great for that.) I'm working with her on NOT using the spoiler to close the rear hatch.
     
    #6 car compulsive, Apr 3, 2013
    Fostel likes this.
  7. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I've derailed our garage door a couple of times now, trying to open/close it with the Prius hatch open. Another place to watch out is parking garages with low ceilings, and/or pipes and stuff.
     
    #7 Mendel Leisk, Apr 3, 2013
  8. tanner9868

    tanner9868 Junior Member

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    Wow, She is VERY happy to learn she's not the only one..lol She was backing into the open garage with the hatch open (which she did all the time with the '09' Prius) when it caught just a bit of the door with the spoiler. I was just happy there was no damage to the hatch or the hinges! (Or the Garage door!)
    And thanks for the tip "NutzAboutBolts," though there seem to be at least 7 clips and there doesn't seem to any bolts that I see. (That's why I believed it popped of so easily) I also just learned the replacement comes in just primed and I have to get that painted too. I got a better price from TRDSparks.com So may go that root and attempt it myself, though I will still have to get it painted!

    I will keep you posted on how I make out.

    Thanks Again
    Dale
     
    #8 tanner9868, Apr 3, 2013
  9. NutzAboutBolts

    NutzAboutBolts Senior Member

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    Yeah, all car exterior body parts come in prime color, you will have to get it paint at a body shop or something.
    As for the panels, they're all clips. You will see the 5 bolts once you pull the rear door panels off. I think that's the one where you need to unbolt to get to the spoiler, which is gold on by 1 bolt and 1 screw.

    Take pictures while you're doing this so we shall know how to do it the next time something like this happens to one of us :)
     
    #9 NutzAboutBolts, Apr 3, 2013
  10. andreyco

    andreyco Member

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    Someone may be alerting the PPS about this incident (Prius Protective Services)
     
    #10 andreyco, Apr 9, 2013
  11. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I took mine off once, just out of curiousity. It's a pain getting the interior hatch panels off, sufficent to get at the spoiler fasteners. Unfortunately didn't take any pics. I'd say it would quicker the second time, and there's nothing really hard. The main thing is there are a few head scratchers, hidden fasteners that take a while to understand.
     
    #11 Mendel Leisk, Apr 9, 2013
  12. mgb4tim

    mgb4tim Noob

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    looks like a part I should consider making. $535 for that plastic spoiler is crazy!
     
    #12 mgb4tim, Apr 10, 2013
  13. css28

    css28 Senior Member

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    Looks like $322 at toyotapartscheap.com
     
    #13 css28, Apr 10, 2013
  14. mgb4tim

    mgb4tim Noob

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    looks like I'm not making those spoilers, after all. :)
     
    #14 mgb4tim, Apr 10, 2013
  15. adamace1

    adamace1 Senior Member

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    Ummm I thought all are black plastic. Not painted?
     
    #15 adamace1, Apr 10, 2013
  16. The Dude

    The Dude Member

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    Yes, that's what I thought. I had mine replaced last year and dealer had them in stock, took 30 minutes to replace.
     
    #16 The Dude, Apr 11, 2013
  17. mgb4tim

    mgb4tim Noob

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    mine, bought in 2009, had orange peel in its finish, which makes me think that it's painted.
     
    #17 mgb4tim, Apr 11, 2013
  18. css28

    css28 Senior Member

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    It could be that early production was painted.
     
    #18 css28, Apr 11, 2013
  19. gliderman

    gliderman Active Member

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    Gen 3 "spoilers" are not painted. Prior Generations are painted the color of the vehicle exterior.
     
    #19 gliderman, Apr 11, 2013
  20. mgb4tim

    mgb4tim Noob

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    Then why does it have orange peel? Shouldn't it be smooth as glass?
     
    #20 mgb4tim, Apr 12, 2013
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