Can someone tell me what this piece is that is hanging beside my rear right wheel. It is just dangling there and I would like to know if it is something serious that needs replacing. I'm doing about an 800 trip this weekend and I want to make sure that this thing isn't a safety issue with the suspension or other. On the other side of the rear everything seems ok. I'm not sure how this piece fits back or if something else has fallen off when driving...

Any help is appreciated. Thanks. Its' a 2000 Protege LX

[IMG]local://upfiles/8534/AF0AED053A3647D8B2BF69FFF0765E93.jpg[/IMG]

 

Not a thing to worry about at allm6prodriver. That is just a piece of plastic clamp that was used on the assembly line to hold rear suspension parts in position for final assembly. Most were removed when the car went thru pre-delivery inspection but some dealers did not bother with the removal and then later on the clamp parts came loose as yours did and owners think there is a major problem. Good observation on your part to see something like that when taking a long road trip but is not an issue to be concerned with. Take the thing off and throw in garbage can and have a safe trip.