CWS

Tuesday, I had an oil change at a Toyota dealer. Saturday, I noticed this mud-flap(?) hanging down in front of the right rear tire. Two 'screws' are missing! I haven't hit anything to knock them out, so I was thinking Lexus left them out when built. Or, did a Toyota employee do it? I'm sure I fingered the openings, wiping some of the dirt off, but my pics seem to indicate that there were screws in place at some time before. Agree?
So, my questions at this point are:
What sort of retainers are these? (Maybe not 'screws' since they appear to have a round hole in the head.)
Could they have come out easily?
If I get some from Lexus, could I replace them myself?

LEFT REAR


RIGHT REAR


EVIDENCE of former screws?

CWS

I retract my statement about not hitting anything - I now remember a couple of weeks ago, on a freeway, driving to Montana, I heard a noise like something hit my right side undercarriage. That must have been when it happened - whatever it was.

Irishman06

Look at the paint around where that mudflap should be attached: your clips have been missing for a while. I'd guess they got knocked off by something or other that your tire kicked up. Toyota/Lexus's in-house QC is impeccable, and would have picked this up at the factory.

As to finding these on an open market, good luck. They're made for toyota by a couple different suppliers around the world. Its a plastic clip and grommet that's designed to be put in that hole and pushed until some teeth get pushed through that hole and retain the mudflap.

Additionally, you're gonna need new tires in the not too distant future .

CWS

Thanks, Irishman06. So, maybe I could pick some of those up at my local Toyota dealer?
New tires? Dang, there's only 9k on these, and I check the pressure regularly!

15951

Yes, you can buy them at your dealer.

I agree on the tires. Do you drive very aggressively?

Irishman06

Yea, the dealer should have some, and they probably won't even charge you to put them in. Its about a 45 second fix.

With regard to tires, check out your second picture: see how close those wear bars are getting? Sorry!

CWS

I don't drive TOO aggressively! I wonder if my tire gauge is accurate!? My son has a digital one that reads about 3 lbs different than my old manual one. I think I'll get a new one. Are the digital ones better?

Cleric

Yes digital ones today are much more accurate. Most digital gauges will also indicate accuracy tolerance, usually found on the back of the packaging.

Irishman06

Welcome to the world of Z-rated tires and 120 treadwear ratings...its just the nature of the beast, tire pressures aren't really super important. you'll gain 3-5% treadlife vs checking them when they look low.

CWS

Hmmm, then I guess I'm probably running my tires with about 32 front and 34 rear, instead of 35/37, because my son's gauge read about 3 lbs lower (if I recall correctly). I'll get a new one! Thanks.

kilo6_one

iTrader: (2)

you probably could get them at a auto parts store or even lowes carries those type of retaining clips now

CWS

Well, a new gauge will make me feel better, anyway...

ahohnstein

Looks like the underside of that flap is a bit rough; as if something did hit it. Of course it could be that it has rubbed up against the tire since it's been lose.

carlos

iTrader: (1)

this happened to me already. went to the dealer and he brought up a diagram of the underside and identified the clips. it was about $3-$4 for the 2 clips.

javyLSU

iTrader: (21)

You need some rocker moulding clips. Call up a Toyota or Lexus dealership and ask for part # 75867-30130. My replacement part manual shows it should be ~$4.50 for the set.

Javier