Anybody have the hood protector come loose?

[bonedoctor]

I have the US-style hood protector installed on my 4Runner since last December. As you know, it installs with little rubber bushings that pop into little holes on the underside of the hood leading edge. There are small metal clips that are attached to the rubber bushings with small screws.

I've heard others talk about vibration at highway speeds, but never had any problem with mine. A few days ago, however, I had the hood up to put in some washer fluid and noticed that the driver's side end of the hood protector was loose. It looked like the rubber bushing with the metal insert had come out of the hole and the rubber piece looked like it was cracked in two, almost like an old rubber piece. Checked the 4 mounts in the middle, no problems. Checked the passenger end and it was loose, too. Tried tightening it and the rubber piece fell apart.

Seems odd that the rubber aged so quickly. Did I overtighten them when installing? Maybe the mag chloride that's used on the local roads did 'em in. The four in the middle seem okay.

So now I need two of those little rubber bushings for each end of the protector. Any ideas where one could find those little guys?

 

[ozrazer]

rubber bushings

I had the same problem about a year ago, I got my at ACE hardware store they run about .75 cent each.

 

[Mark86]

I had that happen as well. I was putting in washer fluid when half of the bug shield plopped down. I think the heat generated by the engine melts those rubber stoppers. I told the dealer about this problem and they replaced it under warranty! As for the new one, it is going on 6 months without a problem. :bigok:

 

[bonedoctor]

I went to the local hardware store and found something that works quite well. They were called "WellNut"s and I found them in the hardware section in one of those Servalite little yellow box/bins that they use at the hardware store to keep all the little nuts, bolts, washers, do-dads, etc. It's basically the same piece that came with the protector, except a little heavier duty. The 5/16" one fits the hole under the edge of the hood perfectly and even has a little lip that snaps it into place. The 5/16" uses an 8-32 machine screw which is larger than the 6-32 screw from the original installation, so you'll need a new screw and washer. I used a stainless machine screw and washer, 1/2" long (any longer and it won't fit). The replacement rubber bushing with the metal insert seems a little heavier duty than the original. The ones that fell apart seemed fairly flimsy and looked like an old hard cracked rubber grommet when they fell out after 10 months.

Cost $0.94 each, but that's just Aspen!

 

[gonzo]

thanks for the info. i have been to several hardware stores trying to solve the same problem, without any luck. i will try again.

 

[charlier180]

thanks for the info. i have been to several hardware stores trying to solve the same problem, without any luck. i will try again.

Recently I took my 4Runner in for maintenance and state inspection. Prior to this visit I called the dealer to order the rubber mounts with the nut insde for my bug shield. When I arrived for my appointment the parts person gave me the parts they had ordered. Unfortunately, the parts labeled "Hood Protector" were a set of rubber bumpers and not the rubber mount with the nut inside them. Since my 4Runner was in for service they looked at my bug shield and ordered the entire "Hardware Kit" used when mounting a bug shield.

I just picked up the kit today. It is Toyota part number PT427-89030-HW and includes all the mounting brackets, washers, screws and the rubber mounts with the nuts inside them.

Before posting this I checked on-line and found out that this kit is $66.79 MSRP. Since I purchased the bug shield when I purchased the 4Runner my dealer said it was covered under warranty so the kit was no charge.

BTW, the rubber mounts used to mount the bug shield that are described earlier in this thread can also be found at Home Depot.

 

[bonedoctor]

"BTW, the rubber mounts used to mount the bug shield that are described earlier in this thread can also be found at Home Depot"


When I was living in CO, they didn't have a Home Depot in Aspen. Closest thing was a place called "15,000 sq ft excessive mansion that nobody'll live in except for two weeks at Christmas and that was bought for me by my company as a perk-Depot". They didn't carry those little parts.