Anyone know what this is and should I try to put it back on?

[jcage89]

So I was detailing the rig and a big glob of undercoat stuff was hanging loose from a bolt protruding under the rear passenger wheel well. I pulled it off intending to re-apply some more undercoating (stuff I bought a O'Reilly's).

Anyway, as I went to discard the glob, I noticed a small plastic thing looking like a cap of sorts that appears it would have sat on top the end of the bolt and may be held in place by a plastic "leash" of sorts still sticking out from side of the bolt. I cleaned it up and can't figure for the life of me what it is or why it was there. I included picture of the exposed bolt in the passenger well and the bolt as is in the driver side rear well (obviously it is smothered with undercoat so I can't see anything to compare.

Anyone know what this plastic thing is and/or why it is there? I speculate to keep the end of the bolt clean of the undercoating gunk? I'm probably wrong. I need to know whether I should just re-spray the bolt as it, try to re-attach the plastic thing or just leave it exposed.

Thanks!

JC

 

[A-P-9]

Pure speculation, but it could be to prevent the bolt from becoming a knife into the tire (maybe an oversize tire under extreme articulation). I would have suggested it could be a similar deal to protect the fuel tank but that is on the opposite side. Maybe it prevents that bolt from rubbing or vibrating directly against the wheel well liner, eventually wearing.

 

[rigtec]

"...Anyone know what this plastic thing is and/or why it is there? I speculate to keep the end of the bolt clean of the undercoating gunk? I'm probably wrong. I need to know whether I should just re-spray the bolt as it, try to re-attach the plastic thing or just leave it exposed."

Hi jcage89,

It looks like a rubber boot to keep moisture out of the inner-side of the wheel-well, with a trace of fibre-glass showing! Take a look at the other side of the truck and try to match it that way.

If that is the only one (and it were my truck), I'd just seal it with some rubberized spray coating and be done with it! Or you can go to the dealership; which I hate doing, and ask them what it is (just to be safe)! 'Best to you',

rig

 

[CavPro]

While buying my 4r, the lot had a used inferno for sale and looking that one over is when I noticed these on both sides of the rear inner liners. I later looked at mine and they looked different only because of how it was covered with the sealer material was covered, Neither of my bolts are poked through this sealer panels. Have wondered since what they were for, thats a pretty substantial bolt.

Okay just went and looked at it again and its the bolt that the seatbelts mount to.

 

[jcage89]

Hi jcage89,

It looks like a rubber boot to keep moisture out of the inner-side of the wheel-well, with a trace of fibre-glass showing! Take a look at the other side of the truck and try to match it that way.

If that is the only one (and it were my truck), I'd just seal it with some rubberized spray coating and be done with it! Or you can go to the dealership; which I hate doing, and ask them what it is (just to be safe)! 'Best to you',

rig

No dealer, no thanks... those numskulls managed to scratch one of my wheels with the torque wrench while rotating my tires. So probably just plastidip over the bolt to water seal it again? and then when dry and temp a bit warmer shoot over it with undercoating again?

 

[Big_Cuss]

Had the same issue and question. I ended up spraying on rubber coating.

That said, I later saw a 2018 Land Cruiser new at the dealer....... with the same bolt missing rubber. And given the build quality of the Land Cruiser, I figure it's no big deal to be missing, then.

I think it's unnecessary to re-coat it. My guess is it's just sound-insulation rubber/foam. And the reason it often comes off is because the area is sprayed and THEN the bolt is pushed thru.