complete loss? Mad frame rust and mad me

[karyins]

So I thought it's a lousy brake line job. https://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/306185-brake-failure-please-advise.html#post3746018

But it's the "rear differential stabilizer bar rusted off ripping out the brake line" said the mechanic. He also said that he doesn't know how to fix it. Or even if he knows he would not recommend it because other rusty parts may fail too. Ironically that I just had the leaky transmission line replaced there last week and He assured me that the new lines should last the rest of the vehicle's life...

Now I don't know what the stabilizer bar does but can I by any chance drive without it? Something's coming up and it would suck without the 4runner. Can we survive 2 weeks and perhaps 200 miles without it stabilizing for us? What if I drive like a grandma? Ok NVM I think that's a bad idea...damn

After that I plan to park it and join one of them classic lawsuit about the rusty frames. Are there multiple ones going on? Any suggestion which one to join?

Thanks! Still mad...

Well then again I guess I am Lucky because it happened when we were so close to home and nobody got hurt. It could have been so much worse...

 

[Jakeepoo3]

So I thought it's a lousy brake line job. https://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/306185-brake-failure-please-advise.html#post3746018

But it's the "rear differential stabilizer bar rusted off ripping out the brake line" said the mechanic. He also said that he doesn't know how to fix it. Or even if he knows he would not recommend it because other rusty parts may fail too. Ironically that I just had the leaky transmission line replaced there last week and He assured me that the new lines should last the rest of the vehicle's life...

Now I don't know what the stabilizer bar does but can I by any chance drive without it? Something's coming up and it would suck without the 4runner. Can we survive 2 weeks and perhaps 200 miles without it stabilizing for us? What if I drive like a grandma? Ok NVM I think that's a bad idea...damn

After that I plan to park it and join one of them classic lawsuit about the rusty frames. Are there multiple ones going on? Any suggestion which one to join?

Thanks! Still mad...

Well then again I guess I am Lucky because it happened when we were so close to home and nobody got hurt. It could have been so much worse...

It prevents body roll. You can drive without just be careful cornering. Looks like your coil seats are about to blow out too sh1tty. You won't win a law suit the judge will just say it's want maintained properly. I agree it's BS. There are way more durable coatings Toyota should be using.

 

[mjg514]

yikes....all the things are looking pretty sketch under there.

 

[Syr4RinNC]

Time to let her go. My 03 succumbed to rust about 5 years ago. Id worry about catastrophic damage in a crash or something else going very wrong. Just not worth your or anyone else's safety.

If youve got a mechanic you trust, you can ask him about the overall safety of the frame and if just that area thats bad or the whole thing.

Lots of off roaders remove the stabilizer bar for more flex. It just does cause a little more body roll with cornering.

If the rest of the vehicle will pass inspection, Id just remove the stabilizer bar and start saving for your next vehicle

You can add it to a class action suit if it makes you feel better, but after 15-20 years, its not going anywhere and probably isnt worth your time or energy

 

[rwh963]

rust never sleeps.

 

[GBagwell]

FYI, If it was the “sway bar” you could get away without it. It would affect the runners cornering ability on the road. What you photo’d is the rear axle track bar mount. It keeps the axle centered under the truck. Without it the axle will wonder under the truck and you in affect would have no proper 4 wheel alignment. To vehicle could dart all over the road. Serious issue. And serious rust under there. Sorry to see it.

 

[thennen]

FYI, If it was the “sway bar” you could get away without it. It would affect the runners cornering ability on the road. What you photo’d is the rear axle track bar mount. It keeps the axle centered under the truck. Without it the axle will wonder under the truck and you in affect would have no proper 4 wheel alignment. To vehicle could dart all over the road. Serious issue. And serious rust under there. Sorry to see it.

I had a 3rd Gen (2001) that experienced what you describe when the rear stabilizer mount rusted through on the passenger side. Maybe not exactly the same problem as this one, but she was going all over the place on her last ride to the dealership to be traded. Of course, the dealership was aware of the problem and sent it to the junkyard.

 

[SurferUK]

I think that poor old thing is used up...might be time to look into a new one from a warmer state. Mine is an 07, so not too much newer than yours, and the underside was near enough perfect. It's the ****ing salt that does the damage.

Once you get it, do something to rust protect the underside and cavities.

 

[Seymore Butts]

Based on this and your brake failure saga, I'd say this unit is totaled. I'd be surprised if it doesn't collapse during the tow to the junkyard.

 

[aemravan]

yea man... sorry to see.. but that's a hard nope on driving it.. it's finished.

Your panhard bar is no longer attached, or at least close to it. And as mentioned above, this is literally the only thing keeping you rear axle from shifting laterally.

As awesome as it would be to win a lawsuit, don't bother wasting any time or energy. There are certain cases where you could have a very strong claim against premature rust/failure... this is not one of them. This is a NY car that looks like hasn't been maintained against rust very well.. (no offense at all) I mean just look at the links and rear end themselves.. those don't rust any faster than any other rig I've seen and are in poor shape at best in the pictures... this unfortunately is just what life looks like in the salt belt without any sort of preventative maintenance.. definitely time to let her go.

 

[karyins]

Thanks guys for the info. You are right about the broken part being the rear axle track bar mount. So I won't drive it.

As for the maintenance. I mean, I'm your average guy who doesn't know much about cars, just drive them, oil change and safety inspection when due. Go through car wash each time after snow on roads clears in winter, occasionally in other seasons. I do this to my Prius V too, which is a few years younger but has about 1/1000 of the rust comparing to the 4runner.

How was I supposed to maintain the 4runner? Baby it? Put a diaper on it? Give it a hand job every weekend?

 

[inscarguy]

Depending how bad the rust is elsewhere, and if you really like your 4runner, you could opt for a better cond rear axle, track bar and control arms. Before they go in treat them so rust would be neutralized, put some POR15 on them and reinstall.

You would have your 4runner back if all else is OK. It's better than a car payment and you know your vehicle.

 

[karyins]

Depending how bad the rust is elsewhere, and if you really like your 4runner, you could opt for a better cond rear axle, track bar and control arms. Before they go in treat them so rust would be neutralized, put some POR15 on them and reinstall.

You would have your 4runner back if all else is OK. It's better than a car payment and you know your vehicle.

I didn't post all the pictures but the rust is very bad everywhere >.<

 

[SurferUK]

Thanks guys for the info. You are right about the broken part being the rear axle track bar mount. So I won't drive it.

As for the maintenance. I mean, I'm your average guy who doesn't know much about cars, just drive them, oil change and safety inspection when due. Go through car wash each time after snow on roads clears in winter, occasionally in other seasons. I do this to my Prius V too, which is a few years younger but has about 1/1000 of the rust comparing to the 4runner.

How was I supposed to maintain the 4runner? Baby it? Put a diaper on it? Give it a hand job every weekend?

Unfortunately that's just the way it is. Over here, it wasn't until VW and later Peugeot arrived with their galvanised chassis that it was possible to buy a normal car and not have it rusted out in less than 10 years. Ford were notorious for it.

It's not a difficult job to put some sort of treatment on, but it is messy, awkward, and unpleasant. I ended up doing mine in the cold of November last year when an undersealing company cancelled on me. I just went with what I think you guys would call something like Fluid Film.

I prefer it as it can't get chipped and let corrosion continue underneath.

For the box sections of the chassis and frame that are more protected from impacts I used Bilt Hamber Dynax S50, no idea if it's available over there but it's good stuff.

 

[4r-4ever]

yes, that's the track bar not the stabilizer bar. you can't drive that anymore. you can however get the rear differential replaced and you should be back to normal but before you do, is it worth it? I'm sure there frame there is disintegrating too.

 

[NCHornet]

Depending on the condition of the rest of the frame structure you might be able to hit up the local Pick a Part or check Marketplace for one being parted out. Judging by just what I can see in the single pic, I would say the days of this vehicle being road worthy are done over. Just my .02 YMMV?
NCH

 

[Buckaroo]

My old 3rd gen frame rusted away, too. It was also a midwest vehicle. In all other aspects, it was in great shape but I had to let it go. I have a 4th gen now and was very careful to buy one that had a good frame and have subsequently treated it with Woolwax. Really the one thing that kills these T4R's is frame rust.

 

[Inv4drZm]

I'm not sure why Toyota dealers or other shops don't apply or recommend fluid film spray while they are working under there, probably the mess it would make on their equipment. Ultimately its up the the driver to maintain their rig.

Other than fluid film or similar product once yearly, inspect the frame before purchasing, and every year you own it. That could prevent a total loss.

 

[bob3dsf]

It prevents body roll. You can drive without just be careful cornering. Looks like your coil seats are about to blow out too sh1tty. You won't win a law suit the judge will just say it's want maintained properly. I agree it's BS. There are way more durable coatings Toyota should be using.

The panhard bar does not prevent body roll. That what the sway bar does. The panhard keeps the axle under the truck. It should not be driven without a panhard at all. Not even slowly.

 

[bob3dsf]

Time to let her go. My 03 succumbed to rust about 5 years ago. Id worry about catastrophic damage in a crash or something else going very wrong. Just not worth your or anyone else's safety.

If youve got a mechanic you trust, you can ask him about the overall safety of the frame and if just that area thats bad or the whole thing.

Lots of off roaders remove the stabilizer bar for more flex. It just does cause a little more body roll with cornering.

If the rest of the vehicle will pass inspection, Id just remove the stabilizer bar and start saving for your next vehicle

You can add it to a class action suit if it makes you feel better, but after 15-20 years, its not going anywhere and probably isnt worth your time or energy

I think you're talking about the sway bar removal. The panhard needs to be there. It locates the axle under the vehicle. The rear control arms, the drive shaft, and the coils are not designed to hold the axles position under later loads. It will fail.