waltzinblack Posted September 24, 2014 Share Posted September 24, 2014 Please see pics below. This troublesome bit of plastic is hanging off just in front of the rear passenger side wheel and scraping along the ground. Can anyone advise whether I should replace, and also how important the part is? I'm not sure whether it's snapped off or some bolt has just fallen out - wasn't about to get under there in a suit at 6am!!! Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmck13 Posted September 24, 2014 Share Posted September 24, 2014 If that's the w brace plastic cover hanging off and it looks like it is. Not much of a problem take it off but you should be able to fit it back on up to you really Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GIXXERUK Posted September 24, 2014 Share Posted September 24, 2014 tie wrap it 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Floydbax Posted September 24, 2014 Share Posted September 24, 2014 There's a couple of pix in my gallery of my new W brace which doesn't have the bolt for attaching this plastic bit back. Like GIX' said just use a cable tie, it actually holds the tray up better and higher and tighter than the original bolt. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KyleR Posted September 24, 2014 Share Posted September 24, 2014 The bolt has probably corroded to pieces, rip it off or cable tie it up like the other said. It's not important Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waltzinblack Posted September 25, 2014 Author Share Posted September 25, 2014 Thanks. Glad to know it isn't a problem. So what exactly do those bits of plastic 'do' then? I will most likely try and source some new ones and replace both. Might fit a new W brace as well just for the hell of it. I imagine these are pretty easy jobs! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Floydbax Posted September 25, 2014 Share Posted September 25, 2014 My plastic trim bits did a great job of collecting small stones and other miscellaneous road debris - tho having said that I suspect they haven't been touched since they went on at the factory. If you're going to replace the W Brace make sure you lead up to it with plenty of penetrating oil, several applications I mean, my car is '05 so those bolts have been there rusting in place for quite a while now I managed to snap a few of the heads off on the outer bolts ( There's 3 either side under the plastic trim). The Four middle ones came off a lot easier. There's 3 smaller ones that hold the plastic trim on, as you have experienced the front 2 tend to break off. These are actually a part of the W Brace itself and it you are replacing then it doesn't matter - 'tho like I pointed out when you come to replace the trim you will need to use cable ties. The rear bolt is a lot easier to 'lube' up and get off tho' I managed to replace the brace on my driveway on axle stands on my own so it can't be that difficult, tho it would take a lot less time if you can get onto a ramp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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