Broken Underbody Part

[anewprelusion]

Anyone know what this part is called or can direct me to a part number? I need to order it because mine broke off on the freeway and was partially dragging on the floor.= (. Thanks!

[WNDSRFR]

Is that part of the gas tank?

[JozhGoober]

Might be this?

http://parts.subaru.com/p/Subaru_201...6440CA050.html

[Black Tire]

Originally Posted by JozhGoober

Might be this?

http://parts.subaru.com/p/Subaru_201...6440CA050.html

This appears to be a part for the front of the car, so I don't think this is it. I would take your pictures to a local Subaru dealer parts counter and have them help you look it up.

[jvincent]

IIRC from when I installed the crossmember bushings, that is a fiberglass panel/cover.

I can't remember what exactly it it protecting, but it's probably gas tank related.

You may not need a new part as it's possible one of the screws that holds it in place has fallen out.

[frs10]

how did that happen??

[extrashaky]

PROTECTOR-FUEL TANK,RIGHT

42045D

[anewprelusion]

Originally Posted by extrashaky

PROTECTOR-FUEL TANK,RIGHT

42045D

Yes that's what it is. Thanks!

[anewprelusion]

Originally Posted by jvincent

IIRC from when I installed the crossmember bushings, that is a fiberglass panel/cover.

I can't remember what exactly it it protecting, but it's probably gas tank related.

You may not need a new part as it's possible one of the screws that holds it in place has fallen out.

Yes, one of the screws/clips had fallen out. However, a chunk of plastic also broke off, and also the mounting joint snapped. I've managed to secure it by drilling a few holes and zip tying for now.

[anewprelusion]

Originally Posted by frs10

how did that happen??

I'm not really sure how it happened. A few days ago I heard a loud pop while driving on the freeway. I thought I had blown a tire or something, so I pulled over to investigate and saw nothing wrong. Didn't even realize something broke until it started dragging on the floor and making weird noises.

[Pete156]

unnecessary piece of plastic, IMHO. Doesn't appear to protect anything

[anewprelusion]

Originally Posted by Pete156

unnecessary piece of plastic, IMHO. Doesn't appear to protect anything

What's that tube that it's covering? I assume it's so nothing snags on that line? It definitely won't protect the gas tank, being so flimsy and all.

[extrashaky]

Originally Posted by Pete156

unnecessary piece of plastic, IMHO. Doesn't appear to protect anything

Originally Posted by anewprelusion

What's that tube that it's covering? I assume it's so nothing snags on that line?

I believe that's your right side brake line, and I think that panel is there for its protection despite being labeled a fuel tank protector.

I look at it this way: It looks to me like you ran over something that hit that panel and damaged it. The damage may have happened at some earlier point, and it just now worked its way loose enough to come off. The point is that whatever hit it hit the panel and not your brake line.

So I would definitely replace it. It's only $11 from that link above and looks like a 5 minute swap.

Originally Posted by anewprelusion

It definitely won't protect the gas tank, being so flimsy and all.

Although that small panel is labeled as a fuel tank protector, the tank itself has two skids held onto it by the tank straps. Those are labeled as "Fuel tank protector" in the service manual. That's the black area under your fuel tank in your pic. I'm not sure how much protection those actually provide. I really wish Subaru would be consistent in its labeling between the parts catalog and the service manual.

That small panel that failed is the compromise that was made for the US market vehicles that don't have the full underbody panels. If you had a JDM vehicle, this is what your underbody would look like:



You can get those panels for about $200 and probably never have to worry about this again. I have them on my to-do list, but my Jeep needs too much attention right now to do a whole lot with the BRZ.

[anewprelusion]

Originally Posted by extrashaky

I look at it this way: It looks to me like you ran over something that hit that panel and damaged it. The damage may have happened at some earlier point, and it just now worked its way loose enough to come off. The point is that whatever hit it hit the panel and not your brake line.

Sounds about right.

Originally Posted by extrashaky

So I would definitely replace it. It's only $11 from that link above and looks like a 5 minute swap.

I'm definitely going to replace the piece. A fellow forum member even offered to give me his for free, since he already upgraded the panels on his. Unfortunately our locations don't quite match up, and shipping would probably cost more than if I were to buy it from the local dealer. The offer was greatly appreciated nonetheless.