Steve40th396
Member
I was looking at a 2018/19 4runners, while I wait for mine to arrive. I noticed that the bumper is not fully seated under the headlights about midway. Is this normal?
Front Bumper loose near headlights
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BlackWorksInc
New member
Sort of?
Yes in the sense that it's a more common issue with 5th gens to the point that you'll probably notice it on a lot them with varying age/miles once you see it.
No, in that it's a known issue that Toyota issued a TSB for to fix with updated clip brackets and some heavy duty velcro pads.
mickeyblue
New member
I’m not sure if this is the same problem as yours, but I noticed my bumper was loose on my 2018 and was going to take it in to the dealership for repair, I had assumed someone bumped it in a parking lot. I started pushing around on it and it popped into place with very little pressure. Maybe I just got lucky, but it can’t hurt to check.
Steve40th396
Member
UPDATE: Bumper Issues Found
Bumper Gap while in GA last week, I found some issues, not known to me at first.
But, Passenger side bracket holding bumper was cracked on one side, and missing attachment screw closest to tire.
The bracket that goes under the passenger headlight, GONE.
Headlight assembly was replaced apparently. It has a different adjustment screw color, silver vice a cold galvanized look.
So, took bumper off today, and the brackets under the headlight I ordered were wrong, if the drivers side is correct. Supposedly when you have a bumper sensor, this bracket is different? No idea.
I ordered the new brackets for TSB to fix bumper. You can see the differences. The new one looks like it is sunk in a little to allow velcro to sit in and not push bumper out as old brackets would due to thickness.
Also, how does this foam piece fit in the bumper, as it fell out when I pulled the bumper? And where the blue circle is, does something go there?
So, let me know what you all think. I will fix it next weekend when I get back from travel again.
Bumper Gap while in GA last week, I found some issues, not known to me at first.
But, Passenger side bracket holding bumper was cracked on one side, and missing attachment screw closest to tire.
The bracket that goes under the passenger headlight, GONE.
Headlight assembly was replaced apparently. It has a different adjustment screw color, silver vice a cold galvanized look.
So, took bumper off today, and the brackets under the headlight I ordered were wrong, if the drivers side is correct. Supposedly when you have a bumper sensor, this bracket is different? No idea.
I ordered the new brackets for TSB to fix bumper. You can see the differences. The new one looks like it is sunk in a little to allow velcro to sit in and not push bumper out as old brackets would due to thickness.
Also, how does this foam piece fit in the bumper, as it fell out when I pulled the bumper? And where the blue circle is, does something go there?
So, let me know what you all think. I will fix it next weekend when I get back from travel again.
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CutthroatSlam
Senior Member
Can you post the TSB?
Steve40th396
Member
T-SB 0049-20 May 28th, 2020
Steve40th396
Member
Okay, Bumper is back on. I put all new brackets. Headlight brackets and new TSB brackets for the fender sides.
All went well, drivers side is perfect, passenger side has a gap. But, its not the bumper , its actually the end of the fender, under the headlight is a bent in a little.
I went for a drive, over bumper roads and off road, yes with a Limited.
Nothing came undone. So, I will live with gap on the passenger side.
Ist pic is drivers side, second and third are passenger side.
Last pic is the drivers side before fix.
Passenger side is not as bad as the picture protrays. You have to get up close to see it.
Car is Not Under Warranty.. So, I will live with it.
Reminds me of when I had my 93 Corvette painted by Callaway. I drove home, no issues, all the way from CT to SC. Then, I had hood open, and radiator cap off, hood fell, cracked the paint. 5,000 dollars, in 1999 money.
Sometimes you just got to accept things and move on.
All went well, drivers side is perfect, passenger side has a gap. But, its not the bumper , its actually the end of the fender, under the headlight is a bent in a little.
I went for a drive, over bumper roads and off road, yes with a Limited.
Nothing came undone. So, I will live with gap on the passenger side.
Ist pic is drivers side, second and third are passenger side.
Last pic is the drivers side before fix.
Passenger side is not as bad as the picture protrays. You have to get up close to see it.
Car is Not Under Warranty.. So, I will live with it.
Reminds me of when I had my 93 Corvette painted by Callaway. I drove home, no issues, all the way from CT to SC. Then, I had hood open, and radiator cap off, hood fell, cracked the paint. 5,000 dollars, in 1999 money.
Sometimes you just got to accept things and move on.
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Kunimatsu
Member
I was changing lights and did the TSB on mine. I would only occasionally have one side pop up and thought since the bumper was coming off I'd update. Results: yes, the Velcro locks everything in place and the mating is better, but I don't think it looks a uniform as before. Maybe it's just me. For sure it won't be popping loose again.
FYI, if you buy the replacement brackets, there is a garnish kit that you need as well. This kit is basically, alcohol wipes, adhesion promoter, the 3M Velcro and a couple of small washers. Seems like a complete rip off to me because it costs nearly as much as both brackets! I bought the supplies (sans the washers) off of Amazon at well below half the cost of the Toyota kit and printed my own washers in polycarbonate.
$0.02
FYI, if you buy the replacement brackets, there is a garnish kit that you need as well. This kit is basically, alcohol wipes, adhesion promoter, the 3M Velcro and a couple of small washers. Seems like a complete rip off to me because it costs nearly as much as both brackets! I bought the supplies (sans the washers) off of Amazon at well below half the cost of the Toyota kit and printed my own washers in polycarbonate.
$0.02
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Steve40th396
Member
I used the velcro kit. Felt cheesy for a band aid repair.
But, it is what it is unfortunately
But, it is what it is unfortunately
Kunimatsu
Member
Just confirming, did the repair kit come with the washers?
It appears to me the inside fender machine screw hole at the top of the bracket is more proud than the previous bracket, requiring a washer to ensure the screw captures the bumper cover securely. Not sure if this was intentional or a tolerance stack-up issue / design flaw.
Steve40th396
Member
no washers for fenderwell area.. Hmm.
Jakeepoo3
New member
The area you circled on the bumper I believe is for the trim piece on the front if you have it. I may be wrong though.
Attachments
Kunimatsu
Member
If you look at Step 10. on the TSB it refers to washers. I had assumed those came with the garnish kit... maybe not.
Steve40th396
Member
Yep, I see it. Hmm. I wonder what it would do? Close the gap a little? Or are they anticipating a damaged hole the screw would go in, if bumper was taken off and broke it. I can see it getting broke easy, when you remove the bumper.
Kunimatsu
Member
I think the new bracket hole protrudes a bit higher than the old bracket. So, when the screw is fully tightened it is bottoming out and not really holding tight to the bumper cover... or at least that is what it appeared on my truck. I fired up SolidWorks and quickly produced two polycarbonate washers on my 3D printer and everything tightened up with the washers in place.
Steve40th396
Member
I just checked mine and it seems tight.
I will say I am dissapointed in this issue Toyota has.
Their fix is okay.
I will say I am dissapointed in this issue Toyota has.
Their fix is okay.
Steve40th396
Member
Update
After driving 4 miles, passenger side popped.
Very unfortunate. I am trying to like this car, but with OCD on repairs etc, its rubbing me raw.
The two tabs that lock into the bracket just have very little bite. On the side of the bumper towards the tire, it bites hard. You feel it when you pull bumper off.
Its flexible plastic, and flexes it does.
If this was metal, or much more rigid, and the bumper teeth that go in were more of a lockable design, I wouldnt be having this issue.
So, conclusion, if yours ever pops due to damage, (Mine apparently was), then sell it.. If you care about the looks..
After driving 4 miles, passenger side popped.
Very unfortunate. I am trying to like this car, but with OCD on repairs etc, its rubbing me raw.
The two tabs that lock into the bracket just have very little bite. On the side of the bumper towards the tire, it bites hard. You feel it when you pull bumper off.
Its flexible plastic, and flexes it does.
If this was metal, or much more rigid, and the bumper teeth that go in were more of a lockable design, I wouldnt be having this issue.
So, conclusion, if yours ever pops due to damage, (Mine apparently was), then sell it.. If you care about the looks..
Steve40th396
Member
Well, The TSB to "secure" the bumper better just doesnt do well. The parts that are secured to the bumper are secured better than the bumper to the cars fenders etc.
I think the mold keeps a certain tension once product is finished, and, it just pops out due to tension and weak little finger nail clips to bracket. Bracket is weak do, very easy to flex it where the clips go in..
I am done with it. Just going to accept poor design on the bumper and live with it. Teach my grand kids to lightly push it back in every time we park.
I think the mold keeps a certain tension once product is finished, and, it just pops out due to tension and weak little finger nail clips to bracket. Bracket is weak do, very easy to flex it where the clips go in..
I am done with it. Just going to accept poor design on the bumper and live with it. Teach my grand kids to lightly push it back in every time we park.
CutthroatSlam
Senior Member
Can these brackets be ordered online, or is it a dealer only part?
Kunimatsu
Member
Yes, they can be ordered online, but the ultimate ripoff is the "garnish set" which is alcohol prep pads, adhesion promoter pads and Velcro... and is supposed to contain two washer/spacers. If you look at the new supports, the place where the cover is captured inside the fender well is taller than the old style support and the washer looks to close the gap so the bumper cover will capture properly when the screw is tightened. I ended up buying the Velcro and adhesion promoter from Amazon and 3D printed the "washers" out of poly carbonate.
All of that said, I was not impressed with the TSB. Does it capture the portion of the bumper cover under the headlight? Yes it does. But, the stack up of the Velcro causes the sides to bulge out. After about two weeks of looking at the mess, I ended up pulling the cover off again, and used the smaller attachment points (circled in green) at the top of the bracket and removed the larger Velcro pads below. It works and looks better for me, YMMV.
As previously stated, the whole thing is kind of half a$$. If I were doing this again (before spending $100+ on brackets, Velcro, etc.) I'd try to find high end waterproof two way tape (something like 3M VHB) and use with the existing brackets, applying the tape in the area circled in yellow. I have a suspicion if you use the adhesion promoter with the two-way tape in this area the problem might be solved without the modified brackets. Again, YMMV.
New part numbers:
52115-35153 - Support, Front Bumper Side, RH
52116-35153 - Support, Front Bumper Side, LH
67069-35010 - Garnish Set
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