Check your TRD skidplate

[mogmanbrad]

I recently went in for the 20k service and watched in amazement, the tech used a battery powered impact to install the skidplate bolts. When the first one cross threaded and would not go in, he got a new battery and tried some more. Once he got the first bolt tight, he could not get two of the four to start, so I was given the vehicle with two of the four bolts installed. After waiting an extra hour to straighten this mess, I got home and found it was still incorrect. The two bushings for the front bolts were on the rear bolts. I then checked the small cover that was removed to drain the oil, those were cross threaded also.

 

[STX4Runner]

I have aftermarket skidplates, so it's a little different than having factory with the little door. I just remove the whole plate before I go for an oil change. Not worth the hassle.

 

[tpetsch]

I have aftermarket skidplates, so it's a little different than having factory with the little door. I just remove the whole plate before I go for an oil change. Not worth the hassle.

This is the route I'll take from now on. ...I'm always amazed by the consistent disappointment in overall quality of workmanship/follow-through I experience when dealership mechanics work on my cars. Not all, but most.

 

[<<<<]

No one cares about your stuff as much as you do. Do tell service manager about your concern and tell him that you are done bringing business to that department. Nothing gets their attention better than money walking away...

 

[00Sebby]

The two bushings for the front bolts were on the rear bolts. I then checked the small cover that was removed to drain the oil, those were cross threaded also.

Wow. And the two front bolts w/bushings are not even supposed to come out of the skid plate. How does someone mess that up? :frusty:

 

[Boyds4Runner]

I now remove all skids except the gas-tank one and the rear shock-mount skids before taking it in so no one ruins more bolts.

At my first oil change I asked that they be sure to use hand tools for the front skid.

After a wheeling trip later I decided to take my skids off to clear out mud and I had to pull down on the front-most driver-side bolt as the nut broke free from it's tack weld and was just spinning.

My front skid for now is still only held by three of the four bolts. I will have to find time to get it into a shop to try and weld a nut in place.

I tried a nut-sert but I drilled the hole too big so I ruined it myself too and can't really claim warranty at the dealer anymore.

 

[FrenchToasty]

The "mechanic" we take our fleet vehicles to, LOVE to use those battery impact guns! I guess a torque wench is to old school for them. I bearly trust sears doing my alignment(being done as my fingers type, I even wrote torque specs down so the tech won't mess anything up, fingers crossed)

 

[manofsteele2003]

That's why I take mine off before I go in for service. Knowing that you can easily cross thread the bolts and they'll surely use an impact on it why take a chance.

 

[85straight]

Most of the time the "technician" doing an oil change is put on a simple oil change job because they're not very skilled....that's what they call lube techs. Usually kids or people just starting in the industry without much experience. I was there once, but taking off your plate at home will not only reduce the risk of someone messing it up, it will also make the tech extremely happy and reduce the time in the bay. It may actually make them so happy they will do a better job of cleaning any oil under there and maybe even going an extra step as to give the underside of your engine a little detail job.
To add this issue isn't exclusive to dealers it's every single shop in the nation

 

[Engineer]

better to not have other men touch your truck or your wife.

I take it the TRD skid plate does not have an oil drain hole cover like most aftermarket?

 

[Jhalko]

Got mine back with a zip tie from a dealer , guessing they cross threaded the bolt. I switched to aftermarket and took them off last time, that was also so I could pound it straighter than it was.

 

[Ray Dunakin]

These stories are mind-boggling. Screwing in a bolt is about as simple a task as you could possibly find.

"How many techs does it take to screw in a skid plate bolt?"

 

[NHinAK]

I had a similar issue on my last dealer service. Had to go back because they cross threaded and snapped the head off one bolt, and cross-threaded another. Get the truck back, go home thinking they fixed it, only to find they cross-threaded two more (shame on me for not checking right there and then). Went in a third time and pitched a fit to the manager; never returned. Simple things like that are why I have a hard time trusting them to remove the valve covers for an oil leak I've been milking for a few years :-/

 

[jrandom]

Yep it is exactly what is NOT free about ToyotaCare. Did the same to mine, good news is I finally figured out what that rattle was... You want to know the really lame part? I asked them specifically to have a service tech do the work and not run it through the quick lube. Did they, pffft. Never again. What's even more stupid is I don't mind doing it either, just lazy getting rid of old oil.

I mean I understand that it is an order of magnitude faster than hand wrenching it but for f'ks sake hand thread it first, then zap it, and you will never screw one up.

Like others said, they could care less, it's all about turn and burn.

 

[Hybryd40]

Pulled mine off in the parking lot of the Toyota dealer right before I pulled it in for my 10,000 mile service. Takes 2 mins. I already changed my own oil at 5000 miles and I would have again if it wasn't free. But sometimes you do get what you pay for. So always beware. Fortunately I have a buddy who is a service writer and he always gives me his best guys to work on my rig.

 

[2manytoyz]

I have a few dealership horror stories of my own.

Bottom line, I will take care of routine maintenance myself, even though I already paid for it. It's simply not worth the risk.

I went to the Purolator website, and looked up the filter size, then ordered one, along with the funky wrench, from Amazon.

I've been changing my own oil for the past 35 years, I don't use power tools to install bolts... and have yet to cross thread one! It takes WAY less time to DIY than to drive to the dealership, and wait on them.

I keep about 5 gallons of used motor oil at home for chainsaw bar and chain. The extra gets recycled.

 

[2011YOTA]

The other day I took a look at my stock skid plate because something was rattling when a door is shut and it looked like a bolt was missing its head and maybe a bolt missing. I've never taken it off and can only think the dealer busted it up when taking it off for some reason or fouled it up putting it back on. Guess I need to convince my woman I need an aftermarket one

 

[KuhDunkADunk]

I took a look under my 4Runner after reading this thread (and having recently gone through an oil change at a dealer), guess what? I had 2 cross threaded bolts. 1 for the filler plate (this wasn't even screwed in all the way). It's like they realized it was cross threaded and left it sticking out half way and said, meh, it ain't coming out. The other is one of the rear bolts for the engine skid and that one no longer tightens at all.

PHUUUUUCK!!!

 

[S54MCoupe]

Just did my first oil change, specifically didn't take it to the dealer to avoid this issue. Got under the truck and saw it only had 3 bolts in the skid plate. Went and bought another to find out they crossthreaded the rear most TRD skid hole. Luckily the nut wasn't broken and I was able to retap it. Guess that clunking was the loose skid plate and not my shocks. Dealer also crossthreaded my license plate screw. :wacko:

 

[Orbital Debris]

Yeah the first oil change after the 'free ToyotaCare', I found on snapped off bolt, then the oil filter housing was torqued so tight I could not remove it. I drilled out the bolt, and took it back in to make them loosen the filter housing (I was afraid if I put any more torque on it, I would break something, it was already flexing). The service advisor was not concerned. I've done all the maintenance myself ever since.