The Automotive Thread

[JayKay PE]

Apologies for the photo spam, but any help would be awesssssome.  I love this thread!  You guys have helped me so much, especially since this is my first 'real' new car, so I'm trying to keep it going as long as my last car (275k before it died).

 

[Supe]

This should look very familiar!

http://www.corollaforum.com/threads/help-corolla-loose-front-bumper-cover.4909/

I suspect you have the same issue.  When you hit something hard, those little serrated plastic rivets can shear off.  Once they do, the receiver clips usually come off eventually too.

 

[JayKay PE]

Ah!  Yes!  I saw that thread, but it doesn't exactly say how I can replace them/what I need to fix them?  It looks like they all told that person to go to the dealership to get the body panel clips.  I...just don't know where I'm replacing?  I don't want to get too few.  Also, other comments say go to the dealership and ask them to install new clips/install the bumper again.  But that is the thing that was going to cost the $100+

*Edit* As stated before, I am an idiot when it comes to cars, so I'm going to be freaking about this for the next two days.

 

[Supe]

The retainers literally slide over the bumper cover, and you just push in the plastic rivets.  You don't even need tools, though some will have a phillips head on them if they're stubborn to push in.  You can see in that thread if you look at the wheel arch where the scuff marks from the missing clips are.  If you get the part number from the dealership, you can usually get them in complete sets/extras on Amazon for like $10.

 

[JayKay PE]

Mmmmm, okay.  I'll try to hit up one of the dealerships this week and see if I can get a part number but I might just buy a variety set off of Amazon (around $10 for Toyota-only clips): https://www.amazon.com/50Pcs-Toyota-Plastic-Fastener-Remover/dp/B072MDX94N?ref_=bl_dp_s_web_18753092011  and then try to play around with it this weekend.

I'm hoping this works/I'll keep the thread updated if I accidentally blow up my car.  

 

[Supe]

If you can blow up a car through a process that is the equivalent to pushing a thumb tack into a bulletin board, I will buy you a beer.

 

[Road Guy]

& if it hasn't already been said just watch some youtube videos "inserting bumper retaining clips on 20XX Toyota / Etc" and it should help out -

 

[JayKay PE]

FYI, I did check under the wheel well (is that a term, or am I pulling that out of thin air) and I noticed all the clips were there, but I didn't pop my hood.  Are there any located inside the hood/behind the bumper near the grill/headlights?  Just curious since it seems like a lot of the troubles online were from them popping off near the wheels, and mine seem to all be there.

I also pushed really hard on my passenger side bumper, directly below the headlight, and heard something click.  So who knows?  Maybe I fixed it?  Idk.  I'll be able to check after I drive tonight if the passenger side is flying off or not!

 

[Supe]

There are usually several in the grill area and around the top of the headlights.  Looking at your photo, there's probably one about an inch below the headlight corner.  It may be accessible from the engine bay, or the inner fender/liner may need to be popped out.

 

[JayKay PE]

Awesome!  Won't be able to look at it tonight, since I don't have the clips/I have gym tonight/I have a proposal/I have an SMP due/I have--Way too much stuff going on, idk.  But I'm happy you mentioned there are a bunch inside!  I was looking at the parts list/the blow out of the grill area and I feel like since it's technically a couple parts/areas, I was missing some clips.  I'm actually excited to see if I can get this fixed on my own!

 

[JayKay PE]

@Supe you know how you said I couldn't blow up my car...well, I didn't blow it up, but my dad 'helped' by yanking on the bumper cover...and now I don't have a working horn and my bumper cover still isn't sticking.  Ha aha ha hsbfgvowrjsdnclmgrsdv/

 

[Supe]

@Supe you know how you said I couldn't blow up my car...well, I didn't blow it up, but my dad 'helped' by yanking on the bumper cover...and now I don't have a working horn and my bumper cover still isn't sticking.  Ha aha ha hsbfgvowrjsdnclmgrsdv/

Odds are the bumper cover had the clips that hold the horn wires, which is typically two spade type connectors.  Should just be a matter of sliding them back on, provided you can find the horn and actually reach it.

 

[Master slacker]

Hopefully getting new tires on the 'rolla today.  Current tires are racing slicks without the traction and recently developed a nasty vibration when they get warm.  At least I hope it's the tires as basic troubleshooting has ruled out other culprits.  

 

[JayKay PE]

Odds are the bumper cover had the clips that hold the horn wires, which is typically two spade type connectors.  Should just be a matter of sliding them back on, provided you can find the horn and actually reach it.

Thank god!  You are helping me so much!  When I googled this they kept saying, 'check the fuse', and I'm like, "I know the fuse is working, it worked before my dad decided to jerk up on the bumper cover, I just don't know if something is pinched/fell off".  Can't look at it this week/weekend, ASCE conference (w/ @vee043324 Yay!), but the following weekend I think I can get through without using my horn...maybe.

 

[Ranger1316]

Hopefully getting new tires on the 'rolla today.  Current tires are racing slicks without the traction and recently developed a nasty vibration when they get warm.  At least I hope it's the tires as basic troubleshooting has ruled out other culprits.  

Any idea which brand? I've had good luck with Hankook and Continental but I loathe the stock Firestone tires on my '16 Impala.

 

[Master slacker]

Falken Pro Touring A/S.  Brother works at Falken.  Got four tires for $120 shipped (tax included).  

 

[Ranger1316]

That's a great deal, always been a fan of Falken even though I've only had buddies with them like the Ziex 912.

 

[Master slacker]

I'm partial to Kumho, but i'm more in favor of saving $300.  

 

[Road Guy]

So now that the daughter bought her own car (with her $$$) this past weekend, we know have 5 cars - I made a spreadsheet to try and keep track of batteries, tires, oil changes and shit, It seems that only the daughter is motivated to help in this endeavor. 

I don't plan on doing 5 oil changes so the kids have all been delegated that task - and they want to just pay someone to do it, again with their funds, but this is starting to be something to manage...

I personally keep my vehicles info on a notepad on my phone and then also put in the spreadsheet - I haven't found a cool app yet - but with all the maintenance it is more to manage than I care for to be honest! - will be glad to just get back to mine and the wifes cars..

 

[Road Guy]

@Supe  So I bought this hitch-hauler 20 years ago - its a beast and I've hauled some crazy shit with it over the years - and I haven't found any similar ones.

I backed it into a tree pretty hard while camping this past weekend,  I was going to try and find someone to fix this, its all steel so i assume anything can be repaired with a good welder?  Id hate to lose this thing