Name that part!

[RickyCRX]

A few days ago, I had my driver's side front turn signal/DRL light stop working for part of my commute to work... Then that afternoon at lunch, it started working again, so I ignored it. Today after going to the car wash, it had stopped working again. This time around, I decided to take the spare bulb out of the glove box (I just had to replace the passenger side about 5-6 months ago) when I got home and went to replace it. Piece of cake, 30-second job and I was done... with one exception.

When I reached up into the area behind the bumper to get to the bulb, my hand hit this piece of plastic that seemed pretty loose. I then grabbed my maglite to see what the heck it was, and this is what I pulled out from the fender well area:

At that point, I was baffled. I shined the light up in there, could see the bottom side of the battery tray area, could see the back side of the headlight housing/assembly, etc... But I couldn't see any place that looked like it would hold this part in place.

The questions are -- what is it, what does it do, where does it go, and do I really need it? Apparently it has just been flopping around in there for a while, held in only by the splash guard/fender liner.

*confused*

Ricky

 

[Methodical]

Blinker fluid reservoir housing.

 

[RickyCRX]

Dang, and all this time I thought the blinker fluid was a completely sealed system!!

 

[drmorbius]

See if you can find something like it in the same location on the passenger side.
Personally I think it's a muffler bearing holder.

 

[Mirlen]

Looks like the front bumper side mounting bracket.

 

[RickyCRX]

I forgot to mention that I did actually look up into the passenger side and, although I didn't look REAL closely, I didn't see anything similar to it on the passenger side.

Is there any chance one of you could shine a flashlight up there into the area on the driver's side, behind the bumper and between the splash guard and the back side of the foglight/DRL/headlight assemblies to see if you have anything similar to this?

Or.... does anybody have an exploded parts diagram of that general area?

Ricky

 

[statman24]

Is there a toyota part number on it somewhere?

If so, use that number on one of the Toyota part sites, or call a dealer parts department with it.

 

[ptung07]

RickyCRX:
That part is: 7, Bracket Reinforcement. $69.99 each!
Do I win something?

 

[RickyCRX]

Don't know what you win, but thanks for the info on it.

I didn't see one that matched on the passenger side, but I'll have to look more closely. I am wondering what that thing is supposed to be 'reinforcing'.... I also find it hard to believe that the list price for this stupid little piece of plastic is $70. That's absurd, especially since it could have easily fallen out and must have not been very well attached in the first place.

Ricky