Looking for opinions.....
I just replaced the duct , at my cost, because I couldn't really be sure when it went missing....
Dealer installed it (at no charge) about 2 months ago and I could see it was straight and tight.
Today, I did the recall of the rear toelinks and as I walked back to the vehicle, I saw the duct was loose and hanging crooked. The dealer checked it and said that one snap clip was gone... probably broke and fell off. They didn't have the parts so they zip-tied for now and ordered the clips, agreeing to buy the clips, this time, even though the recall repair wasn't anywhere near this duct.
I had a chance to speak to the mechanic, alone and off the record while the service manager and parts department were working out the details. He said he didn't notice whether it was or wasn't hanging crooked as he was working on the rear but he admitted the clips are crap and they hate even touching them as they break alot and they end up using zip-ties. He warned that since they have to remove this for routine service, it will probably happen again if not many times...
He suggested, off the record, to just take it off, make sure the female parts of the clips are in the framework, and put the male push clips in a baggie and put them in the garage with the duct. He said he has people who only use it when they tow (like noted here) but he said most don't even do that for simple routine towing like an open landscaper trailer. He felt the only time he would reinstall it is if it was him was when he was going to tow over a a couple thousand pounds, like a trailer or boat and it was more than 50 miles.... Otherwise, he would just leave it in the garage until he sold the vehicle.
I have a few days until the clips come in to decide whether to just have it taken off and store the clips or let them reinstall it and worry about it falling off at highway speed or even every routine service. I am actually concerned about the damage to the vehicle if it did fall off and tangle underneath the car or even cut a tire.
Since I don't tow, I am thinking about just storing it but would like to hear opinions either way.
Thanks,
BaseFan