Hopefully someone can help me here. The right undercarriage panel falls down while driving and I have to pop it back into place every day. I've called 4 different dealerships here in Miami and they've given me different names for the same plastic panel. However, most have said that I should try to secure the existing panel with clips before replacing it. I've gotten all kinds of different names for the clip: underbody clip, cover clip, rocker moulding clip, rocker panel clip. Which name is correct? At any rate, no one carries the said clip in stock, and I'm getting ridiculous prices from $4.50/clip to $7.90. FOR DANG ONE CLIP??? I got a quote for a 12-pack of clips for $86. Does anyone have an inroad to less expensive clips? I have a 2006 GS300. Any help is appreciated.

 

Yeah the clips are expensive, but what are you gonna do without them? You can spend that much on Starbucks coffee, if not more. $4.50/clip is expensive for a small piece of plastic, but inexpensive for the amount of time and effort it requires you to pop the panel back into place every day.

If you really don't want to spend money on a clip, then I would recommend you use a tie strap (zap strap?) to tie the panel into place. That would be your most cost efficient solution. But that brings another quandry: tie straps come in a pack of 50s or more...what are you gonna do with all the extra tie straps? j/k!

 

Starbucks Schmarbucks. I live in Miami--we drink the strongest cheapest Cuban coffee for a dollar, LOL.
I guess I have to get under there and figure out what I'm tying this thing to. Any ideas?

 

You can use a zip tie. They are available at Home Depot, Lowe's, Radio Shack etc...just to name a few.

 

But what am I tying it to?

 

Take care of it right. I feel you on the outrageous price of the clips, but what choice do you have. Have the dealers order the parts and go pick them up.In the mean time I would have the dealership try to jerry rig it or just keep adjusting it every day until the clips come in .Higher cost of parts will usually come with higher end cars. Its the nature of the beast.

 

I'm wondering whether or not this should be covered under warranty???? The undercarriage panel should not be falling down without some sort of abuse or abnormal wear and tear. What do you think? Shouldn't the dealer pay to fix this?

 

I highly doubt something like this would be covered under warranty. These panel clips aren't cheap as most of them are item specific.

 

Eventually you are going to damage the panel. Purchase the clips and hopefully that will be end of story.

 

I finally got under the car this weekend, and the rocker panel was so mangled, I couldn't even clip the dangling part(s). I just had to cut them off with some shears. It wasn't pretty, but "it is done". I'm probably going to find someone inside at the dealership and get a rocker panel on the cheap, if there is such a thing for OEM Lexus parts.

 

You can order it through our own exclusive Lexus parts specialist, Carson Toyota. Mind you it's unpainted:

http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...?siteid=214915

75851-30901 MSRP: $402.11 Carson Toyota: $321.69 - MOULDING, BODY ROCKER

You can probably find someone in the dealership to give you at least 10% off list price if anything. Most dealerships will not let their employees buy parts for other people, especially when they know what they have or what they drive.

 

Guys, thanks a lot for all of the advice and help. On Saturday I'm going to Lexus of Pembroke Pines where I had my 2 RX's serviced to beg for a freebie.