How To Diagnose A Failing Splash Shield: Common Splash Shield Problems
Splash shields, also called splash guards, protect your Toyota’s bodywork, drivetrain, and other critical components. They take the brunt of bumps, scrapes, and impacts from debris and other objects, preventing damage to your vehicle.
Sometimes, the impact is hard enough to damage or break the splash shield. When this happens, it's important to replace the part as soon as possible. In this post, we'll cover how splash shields are damaged and what to look for.
How Splash Shields Are Damaged
More than just protection for offroad vehicles, splash shields protect many kinds of vehicles from the daily obstacles that crop up on your drive. These hazards include small stones and other debris that get kicked up by your wheels and larger rocks, tree limbs, and other sizeable objects that show up unexpectedly. And if you've ever gone too fast over a speed bump, a splash shield likely protected your vehicle from damage.
Splash shields are located along the undercarriage, inside wheel arches, and even under bumpers, fenders, and other bodywork. They typically last a long time, but a nasty impact, or even several minor ones, can damage them to the point they need to be replaced.
Another enemy of the splash shield is rust. While many splash shields are made of plastic or composite materials, some are made from steel. These steel splash shields are given a rust protective coating at the factory, but scrapes and abrasions caused by obstacles can wear them down to the bare metal, eventually causing them to rust.
How To Tell When A Splash Shield Should Be Replaced
Whether caused by a nasty impact from an obstacle or repeated wear, a splash shield should be replaced if it has one or more of the following issues:
- Bent or broken sections
- Dented, torn, or badly worn pieces
- Holes or missing parts of the splash shield
- Missing bolts or fasteners
If your splash shield is clearly damaged or barely attached to your vehicle, it should be replaced. Left alone, it may rip off and damage other components on your vehicle or become an obstacle for other drivers.
Even if the splash shield is still firmly attached, it may be damaged enough that it can't do its job. Over time, a damaged splash shield may let dirt, debris, or water into areas that can cause other issues with your vehicle, including problems with your drivetrain components or rust.
Genuine OEM Splash Shields From Toyota Parts Center
If you need to replace a splash shield, your best bet is to use genuine OEM Toyota parts. At the Olathe Toyota Parts Center, all we carry are genuine Toyota parts for your car, truck, or SUV backed by a standard 12-month, unlimited-mile warranty.
We also have a number of free resources that can help you understand common Toyota problems and TSB's and a Toyota VIN decoder to provide info about your vehicle. Order you splash shield today.