What is this part and do I actually need it?

[Elkins45]

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I ran over an object with just the passenger rear wheel of my 2009 Scion xB. It bent up the heat shield between the exhaust and fuel tank, but it also tore off the plastic guard or splash shield that’s in front of the metal shield. It’s the one circled on this photo I found on the web of someone else’s undamaged car. I’ve looked at the parts diagram and my best guess is that it’s part number 57627A on this diagram, but it’s really hard for me to tell.

https://parts.lakelandtoyota.com/sh...1641&ukey_driveLine=6683&ukey_trimLevel=18250



What function does this part serve? Do I need to replace it? If I’ve identified it correctly it’s $53 from Toyota or probably close to that in gas if I have to drive around to a bunch of junkyards looking for a wreck to pull one from.

 

[vavavroom]

What component is exposed without the cover?

 

[Elkins45]

What component is exposed without the cover?

The front edge of the fuel tank, but it’s not really exposed much without it. I’ll take a picture of mine without it tomorrow and post it.

 

[oldhp]

I believe you answered your own question. "The front edge of the fuel tank......" I would put it back on.

 

[Jetronic]

If it fell off from old age, we could argue you don't need it, but it got torn off by road debris. It's there to protect the tank from road debris damage. Without it you could have ended up with a leaky tank.

 

[The_Jeff]

To me it looks more like something to protect the exhaust, and/ or to provide better MPG through under-car aerodynamics. How about a picture of your wreck?

 

[Kira]

The thing is painfully convoluted. I wonder why.

 

[Passport1]

That esoteric piece already demonstrated its value to your safety.

I'd replace it.

 

[atikovi]

It's there to protect the tank from road debris damage. Without it you could have ended up with a leaky tank.

So are skid plates on SUVs, yet if you never drive off-road, removing them is no problem. Gas tanks are thick plastic so most road debris would just bounce off. It would have to be a freak accident of running over a piece of steel to puncture a tank, and a flimsy piece like this isn't going to prevent that. I wouldn't loose sleep over it.

 

[DriveHard]

There is one on each side...looks like aero devices to me, not protection. If finances are a concern, I would feel ok skipping it. If you are financially sound, I would do it for piece of mind of having a car whole.

 

[JohnnyG]

I need a better picture of what you are seeing here. The part number you quoted looks to be the rear cover ($53.51), but the part you circled in the picture is totally different.
They're calling that part a Crossmember. One on each side of the car 57051 A for the right side.

The rear cover doesn't look damaged to me, but plastic which is molded around the bottom strut tower brace.
I'd say you need to keep the crossmembers, if that's what you are referring to.

 

[Elkins45]

That part can’t be a crossmember. It’s just a plastic molding, it’s not structural at all.

 

[Elkins45]

I need a better picture of what you are seeing here. The part number you quoted looks to be the rear cover ($53.51), but the part you circled in the picture is totally different.
They're calling that part a Crossmember. One on each side of the car 57051 A for the right side.

The rear cover doesn't look damaged to me, but plastic which is molded around the bottom strut tower brace.
I'd say you need to keep the crossmembers, if that's what you are referring to.

Also, it’s more than a foot in front of the wheel well, so it’s not really near the strut tower.

 

[Elkins45]

This picture shows the two points where it was attached. You can see where the front mounting stud was bent over when it hit. Looking at it from this viewpoint it looks like it was mostly for aerodynamics because it didn’t really cover anything.

This one shows the general location on the car.

 

[MyWifesBoyfriend]

Looks like an aero deflector found on a bunch of Toyotas. Used to direct air and debris away from the rear suspension components from what I understand

Similar part from a Prius with a more useful description: https://www.toyotapartsdirect.ca/p/...n-Splash-Shield-Rear/49386041/5762747010.html

"Cover. Floor. Shield used to direct water / debris away from the Floor pan. Pan Splash Shield. Side Member. Protector. Underbody Shield."

 

[JohnnyG]

Still looks like the part labeled "crossmember" tp me. Likely a structural component, and I'd replace it.
I seriously doubt that it has anything to do with aerodynamics. Typically, brick shaped objects are pretty poor aerodynamically.

 

[Elkins45]

Still looks like the part labeled "crossmember" tp me. Likely a structural component, and I'd replace it.
I seriously doubt that it has anything to do with aerodynamics. Typically, brick shaped objects are pretty poor aerodynamically.

It’s a flimsy plastic molding. 0% chance it is structural.

 

[Jetronic]

There is one on each side...looks like aero devices to me, not protection. If finances are a concern, I would feel ok skipping it. If you are financially sound, I would do it for piece of mind of having a car whole.

From what I can see it looks like a fuel or brake line cover, but we should really get a picture from the other side

 

[paulo57509]

From what I can see it looks like a fuel or brake line cover, but we should really get a picture from the other side

This. I think it's for protection or to prevent the brake cable from being hooked on something.

Might have to get under the carpet and install a carriage bolt/washers/nut to remount the replacement.

 

[JohnnyG]

It’s a flimsy plastic molding. 0% chance it is structural.

I think you are looking at the wrong item. I was too a first until I read the the first picture was off the internet and NOT the OP's car.
A thin plastic cover wouldn't rip the mounting bolt out of the floor pan like this did.