Skirt bolts

[Electric CO]

I noticed one of the skirts was sitting a bit crooked yesterday and that it was missing a bolt. So I removed it and am driving around "skirtless" on the driver side today. So my question is: do I buy the Honda part or is there a known replacement that works just as well? I think I read that the Honda bolt is a bit expensive. A bit unsuccessful with the search feature today! Anybody have the Honda part number handy too?

**

This bolt will be the third maintenance expense for me in three years with the car. That, a cabin air filter, and the rubbber for the rear wiper. Nothing else as I got the car used with a series of free oil change coupons. Quite impressive.

[Billy]

Hi Electric; you can go to http://www.hondaautomotiveparts.com which is Majestic Honda in Providence, RI. Under the category of "Moldings" there is a drawing and parts ordering for the fastener in question. It's about 11 dollars. But if installed properly, it will NOT fall off, IMO. I always encourage Insight owners to: 1) never trust anyone elso to install the wheel skirts 2) take them on and off several times yourself, and get the "feel" of it; it works great when properly fastened.... I always have 2 spares anyway.....

[HafNHaf]

a large black ty-wrap works great, is cheap, and a few spares take up very little space in the trunk. just make sure you carry a pair of wire cutters (dikes) back there too!

[Rick]

Honda is probably going to be the only source for the bolt, and they're kind of pricey. The first time I took the skirt off of my car I totally blotched one side and neither bolt was fastened. I lost em, but luckily noticed before the skirt flew away. The bolts were about $10 a piece!

[Mike Dabrowski 2000]

Stainless steel 1/4 turn fastners made by Southco are a better/ cheaper solution. I found them back in 2001. Since then several guys have bought the fastners and clips and have done group buys. A search of the archives should turn them up, as I have lost the information. They have been holding up my skirts since 2001, with no issues.

[Electric CO]

Thanks to all for the great tips. Looks like the OEM part for now. $7.31 CDN from the Honda dealer? I'll know tomorrow if they ordered the correct part.

My girlfriend insisted that I not humiliate the car by driving it around skirtless like that. So today it stayed home...
**

Mike, I guess Spat and Southco were the words missing in my earlier search! That would be Southco PN 85-47-101-20 for the clip on receptacle and 85-11-460-20 for the oval slotted recess stud. Noted. I'll still check on those for future use. We deal with Fastbolt here at work. Maybe they can get me some?

**

BTW Mike, we met in Saratoga at the 2005 TDS ...tall Quebecois with the stock grey Insight. My girlfriend and I received a Judges's Pick trophy for our run weeks later. 377 km @ 3.0 l/100. Guess that was decent enough! Still dreaming of a MIMA installation...One day! I'll have to catch up on the related threads. Keep up the awesome work!!

[Mike Dabrowski 2000]

I do remember speaking with you and your girlfriend. I am working on making MIMA a plug in device, still only an idea, but it looks promising so far.
Mike