4th Gen - Squeaky Rear Seat

[MAC4Runner]

Anyone else have a nasty squeak coming from the 60 section of the 40/60 rear seat of thier 4th gen? It's only slightly noticeable when the rear seat is not occupied, but is terrible with someone in the back seat. If I fold the seat forward and then back it takes care of the problem for a few days, then it comes back again. Any ideas? Looks like a trip back to the dealership.......

TIA

 

[jharris2]

I've never had the squeak with someone in the rear seat, only when it was empty. The dealer replaced the latch for the seat and it helped a lot. Have them check it out -- just make sure you can reliably reproduce the sound before taking it in.

 

[Oscarz]

Wrap a piece of tape around front of metal hoops that rear seat backs latch onto. This should eliminate the problem until you take it to the dealer, who, will either lube or replace the latch.

 

[tkr128]

I don't have a squeak but I have a "clunk" from the 40 part (behind the driver's seat) when someone sits in it.

 

[BobbyC]

I had the squeeky rear seat problem. A wrapped some duct tape around the latch (passenger side) and eliminated the problem completely.

 

[T4RME]

Here is the TSB - my 2008 does this and is out of warranty....ouch.

NVH
NV003-04
REVISED

Title:
SECOND ROW SEAT BACK NOISE

Models:
'03 - '07 4Runner

March 22, 2004

^ April 11, 2007: 2007 model year has been added to Applicable Vehicles.

^ March 17, 2006: 2004 - 2006 model years have been added to Applicable Vehicles.


Previous versions of this TSB should be discarded.

Introduction

The following field-fix procedure was developed to minimize the possibility of noise from the second row passenger side (right side) seat back latch.

Applicable Vehicles

^ 2003 - 2007 model year 4Runner vehicles.








Warranty Information

Applicable Warranty*:
This repair is covered under the Toyota Comprehensive Warranty. This warranty is in effect for 36 months or 36,000 miles, whichever occurs first, from the vehicle's in-service date.

* Warranty application is limited to correction of a problem based upon a customer's specific complaint.

Repair Procedure

For reference refer to the Technical Information System (TIS), applicable model year 4 Runner Repair Manual: Exterior/Interior Trim: Roof Headlining Assy: Replacement.







1. Check passenger side second row seat back latch to striker alignment.

2. Determine if the striker is centered in the seat back latch by slowly moving the passenger side second seat back toward the striker. Visually check to see if the striker is centered in the seat back latch.

Wear marks on the top or bottom portion of the striker indicate a possible misalignment issue. If wear marks are found to be on top of the striker, the striker must be adjusted downward to remedy the condition and vice versa.

3. If striker misalignment is detected, continue with step 4.

If the striker is found to be centered in the seat latch and there are NO wear marks evident on the top or bottom surfaces of the striker, the following field fix will NOT be effective.

4. Remove the passenger side second row seat back striker and elongate the bottom mounting hole to allow striker adjustment.

(For necessary interior disassembly instructions to access the second row seat back striker, refer to TIS, applicable model year 4Runner Repair Manual: Exterior/interior Trim: Roof Headlining Assy: Replacement: steps 1 - 23).

A. Remove the three bolts that secure the second row seat back latch striker to the vehicle body.









B. Remove 1 mm of striker plate material from the top and bottom of the bottom striker plate bolt hole to elongate the hole and create striker adjustability as shown in the illustration.

5. Reinstall striker to vehicle body and adjust striker to center of seat latch.

A. Install the passenger side second row seat back striker by threading each of the three (3) bolts into the body. Do NOT tighten the three (3) bolts at this time.









B. Rotate the seat back toward the striker and align the striker in the center of the seat back latch.

C. Tighten the three (3) bolts to secure the striker in place.

6. Reassemble the vehicle interior in reverse order of disassembly.

For reference, refer TIS, applicable model year 4Runner Repair Manual: Exterior/Interior Trim: Roof Headlining Assy: Replacement.

 

[stanleybb50]

Wrap a piece of tape around front of metal hoops that rear seat backs latch onto. This should eliminate the problem until you take it to the dealer, who, will either lube or replace the latch.

I had the squeeky rear seat problem. A wrapped some duct tape around the latch (passenger side) and eliminated the problem completely.

Here is the TSB - my 2008 does this and is out of warranty....ouch.

NVH
NV003-04
REVISED

Title:
SECOND ROW SEAT BACK NOISE

Models:
'03 - '07 4Runner

March 22, 2004

^ April 11, 2007: 2007 model year has been added to Applicable Vehicles.

^ March 17, 2006: 2004 - 2006 model years have been added to Applicable Vehicles.


Previous versions of this TSB should be discarded.

Introduction

The following field-fix procedure was developed to minimize the possibility of noise from the second row passenger side (right side) seat back latch.

Applicable Vehicles

^ 2003 - 2007 model year 4Runner vehicles.








Warranty Information

Applicable Warranty*:
This repair is covered under the Toyota Comprehensive Warranty. This warranty is in effect for 36 months or 36,000 miles, whichever occurs first, from the vehicle's in-service date.

* Warranty application is limited to correction of a problem based upon a customer's specific complaint.

Repair Procedure

For reference refer to the Technical Information System (TIS), applicable model year 4 Runner Repair Manual: Exterior/Interior Trim: Roof Headlining Assy: Replacement.







1. Check passenger side second row seat back latch to striker alignment.

2. Determine if the striker is centered in the seat back latch by slowly moving the passenger side second seat back toward the striker. Visually check to see if the striker is centered in the seat back latch.

Wear marks on the top or bottom portion of the striker indicate a possible misalignment issue. If wear marks are found to be on top of the striker, the striker must be adjusted downward to remedy the condition and vice versa.

3. If striker misalignment is detected, continue with step 4.

If the striker is found to be centered in the seat latch and there are NO wear marks evident on the top or bottom surfaces of the striker, the following field fix will NOT be effective.

4. Remove the passenger side second row seat back striker and elongate the bottom mounting hole to allow striker adjustment.

(For necessary interior disassembly instructions to access the second row seat back striker, refer to TIS, applicable model year 4Runner Repair Manual: Exterior/interior Trim: Roof Headlining Assy: Replacement: steps 1 - 23).

A. Remove the three bolts that secure the second row seat back latch striker to the vehicle body.









B. Remove 1 mm of striker plate material from the top and bottom of the bottom striker plate bolt hole to elongate the hole and create striker adjustability as shown in the illustration.

5. Reinstall striker to vehicle body and adjust striker to center of seat latch.

A. Install the passenger side second row seat back striker by threading each of the three (3) bolts into the body. Do NOT tighten the three (3) bolts at this time.









B. Rotate the seat back toward the striker and align the striker in the center of the seat back latch.

C. Tighten the three (3) bolts to secure the striker in place.

6. Reassemble the vehicle interior in reverse order of disassembly.

For reference, refer TIS, applicable model year 4Runner Repair Manual: Exterior/Interior Trim: Roof Headlining Assy: Replacement.

I realize I've revived an old thread here, but hopefully someone else will read this and go "ohh, that's where that squeak is coming from!" and then just go wrap some tape around the latch like I just did thanks to you guys. (Squeak is now gone). I used electrical tape - FYI. Wrapped it tight and squeak gone.

Reps for all three of you! lol. That squeak's been bothering me for a month since I bought my '06 Runner!