[glitch]

My car's latest trick was to have the passenger side skirt come off while flying down I-95 at 70mph. I had initially lost a screw to hold on the passenger side skirt, the one closest to the passenger door. The rear screw was still there. I convinced my dealer the screw never came with the car (as it was so new a car it's believable) so they replaced the screw under warranty. But flying down I-95 less than a week later their screw came out and the skirt fell and dragged until I could get it to the emergency lane. There was a strong burnt smell to. But I looked at the skirt, still holding on by the 1 good screw and for the most part it looks no worst for wear. It's amazing. But I knew if I brought it back to the dealer they'd want to try and re-use it and just in case there was something wrong that I couldn't see, I left it at home and went to the dealer. They examined it, had to get a manager out there, and decided they're replace it under warranty. They could only order it in pairs so as a bonus they're replacing both back wheel skirts. Now I'll have a backup set of wheel skirts in storage, just like the extra floor matts they gave me on accident. So now I got 2 wheel skirts and 2 floor matts in storage for the future. The only thing is, I tried to put the wheel skirt back on temporarily until my dealer can order and get the part in stock, and it didn't quite fit perfectly. It had to flex a little and it wasn't grabbing right. I believe there may be some structural damage that holds the wheel skirt on, I'm afraid my dealer's going to try and force the new one on without trying to repair the structural damage. If they force it, that's putting extra pressure on it and it may pop off. They better fix it right, it was their screw that came out. I wonder who taught them how to put in a screw. I mean I drove for a week with that screw missing and it never came undone. Less than a week after them putting the screw in it comes undone, they must not have put the wheel skirt on perfectly.

Best Regards,
GliTcH

P.S - I'm so poor I've yet to install my Super Shoebox sub from John Wayland. I just don't have the money to buy a couple of amps, a new head unit and 2 front speakers. Sigh, I have this killer sub sitting here and I can't install it.

 

[dazey]

Recently I noticed my wheel skirts were a bit loose. They could move about 1/4 inch out of position when installed, but never fell off or lost a screw. I didn't realize this was a problem until checking them on another Insight. The culprits turned out to be the lower metal tabs that hold the skirt in place. If I remember correctly there is one in front and one in back just a few inches up from the screws. These tabs were bent out slightly, after bending them back in, parallel (but not flush) to the rest of the metal, the skirts are no longer loose.

I'm not sure if this is related to your issue or if yours is mainly that the front screw keeps falling out? But if you are worried about damage then I would check all of the tabs that hold the skirt in and make sure none are broken or bent out of place.

 

[Rick]

I have that "issue" with the metal tab comming off. When reinstalling the passenger side one I knocked the rear one off somehow and it has never held on so well since. Now when I put the skirts back on I have to make sure that I dont pop the recieving end off in to the bumper. I still have managed to not loose a skirt though.

 

[The Citrus Smoothie]

I have just discovered that one of my wheel skirt nuts is missing and the front of the skirt is held in place with wire. It has held up so far, so I think the best course of action is too leave it be and cross my fingers!

 

[Will M]

Remember that if you get a flat in the back, you'll have to deal with that piece of wire on a roadside. It might be raining and you might not have any tools with you. Better to take care of it in better conditions.

The thing with this screw is that you need to know what to feel for when tightening it. You can't think of it like a normal screw. Just look at the thread (if you call it that).

You push and turn, feeling for the point where the threads start to grab, then continue to push and turn another quarter turn. Stop pushing while you finish that quarter turn. The screw should hit a definite stop, not wanting to turn any farther. Now, it's locked. If the screw easily spins, it is not locked yet and it can very easily fall out after a few thousand miles of vibration.

Meanwhile, if you learn what this feels like, it will be locked and it will not fall out.

 

[Guillermo]

I was having trouble tighting those fancy OEM screws properly and they always came loose. So I replaced them with nylon nut and bolts normally used for securing lisence plates (only $2). I always carry a few tools anyways just in case.
They will never rust or corrode and have always stayed tight.

 

[dflach]

Re: rear fender skirt nuts

I also found that one of the fender skirt screws was missing shortly after I bought my 2002 Insight. I also found other screws missing on the front inner fenders and front air foil. The problem was that when the screws were installed they missed the spring clip nuts and had only been screwed into the plastic in the same area. I reinstalled all of the screws and made sure that they engaged the spring clip nuts correctly. In the case of the rear fender skirt screws, the dealer replaced the missing $20+ screw under warranty and I took an additional step by lightly coating all four screws with clear silicone caulk to prevent them from rusting (even though they have a coating) and to prevent them from vibrating loose. This still allows them to be removed when necessary, although the silicone must be re-applied. You may wish to skip this second step, but at least check to ensure that the screws engage the nuts properly as Will M has described.

 

[Skimmer]

Thanks all. Another member has generously offered to send me one of their original fasteners (left over after purchasing the stainless ones). So it looks like I'm covered for now. 8)

 

[trunkout]

i think i said this before? :?:

the dealership I go to said one of my screws "stripped".....

a tie wrap is what they replaced it with.....and the skirt fits better now...

just carry a pocket knife and some more ties.....wa la!!!!!