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What Is This

Discussion in 'Prime Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Pandas Andpresents, Nov 10, 2019.

  1. Pandas Andpresents

    Pandas Andpresents Junior Member

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    Hello all!

    I had a heat shield replaced on my 2011 Prius. Driving the car since, I have noticed a noise when hitting bumps in the road.

    When I looked underneath the car today, there was a metal piece hanging down. It looks like screws are possibly missing at the end.

    What is this? Could the dealership have forgotten to reattach whatever this is? Clearly, I’m not going to drive the car around like this over long distances, but is it dangerous to drive the car at all?


    B68E1C7E-4764-4611-8D0E-2BD7B6A53398.jpeg
     
    #1 Pandas Andpresents, Nov 10, 2019
  2. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    That looks like the frame cross piece that sort of stiffens the car. You might get more informed responses on the Gen 3 forum rather than the Prime forum. Just click the "Report" button on your original post and ask a moderator to move it.
     
    #2 jerrymildred, Nov 10, 2019
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  3. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I would not drive the car till that's fixed: it'll only compound the damage that's already occurred, and it could fly off, be a liability, a danger to other cars on the road.

    Do you have a floor jack and safety stands, ramps, tools, what's your situation?
     
    #3 Mendel Leisk, Nov 10, 2019
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  4. RRxing

    RRxing Senior Member

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    Yep - Looks like the Front Center Floor Brace.
    Screen Shot 2019-11-10 at 1.20.06 PM.png
     
    #4 RRxing, Nov 10, 2019
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  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    looks like they forgot to tighten the bolts after replacing the heat shield.

    i think they owe you one
     
    #5 bisco, Nov 10, 2019
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  6. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    ^ This. Could be the brace is ok, just a little scraped. But there's more'n likely at least 2 bolts missing.

    Was crawling around under ours yesterday, rust-proofing, took this pic:

    IMG_1449.JPG
     
    #6 Mendel Leisk, Nov 11, 2019
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  7. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Interesting how pristine it looks; I've never put anything on it either. Maybe cus it's amidships, gets less salt kick-up?
     
    #7 Mendel Leisk, Nov 11, 2019
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  8. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    Just crawling around, eh:whistle:?

    I know I take pics when I’m doing that under the car:p.

    Very nice pic and condition of the piece in question (y).
     
    #8 Raytheeagle, Nov 11, 2019
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  9. Pandas Andpresents

    Pandas Andpresents Junior Member

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    Thank you so much, everyone!

    Sorry that the post is in the wrong forum. I went for a run Sunday morning. I heard the noise while driving and was posting from the park - so, my cellphone. The cellphone view of the forums isn't optimal and I didn't notice that I put the post in the section for the wrong type of car.

    I didn't expect the Toyota service center that "repaired" the heat shield to be open on Sunday, but they were. You all are correct. They said it was the "exhaust bracket" and that the mechanic forgot to put the bolts in (!) No charge.
     
    #9 Pandas Andpresents, Nov 11, 2019
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  10. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    #10 Mendel Leisk, Nov 11, 2019
  11. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    yow, an honest dealership? :eek:
     
    #11 bisco, Nov 12, 2019
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  12. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    Yup.
    I even had the service manager from my preferred dealer call me back and admit he was wrong when discussing a recall. I had said it had been extended and he originally said there were no changes. After talking with his master technician, he changed his mind.
     
    #12 Prodigyplace, Nov 12, 2019
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