Problems! Please give Advice!

[4Walker]

Hey, all

I posted a message a few days back that got no responses...not sure if there's some protocol I'm not following (I know it's a long message, but would appreciate any feedback). I'm pretty new as a 4Runner owner, and this is the best forum I've found after investigating for a few months. Any advice on any part of my original message below would be appreciated. Thanks!!{

4Walker

---Original Message---
I bought a 2001 Limited 4Runner (automotic) in August '03, and I have a few questions (I travel alot for work, so I still consider it a relatively new car for me!)...

1. SAGGING - The tail end of my car seems to sag a bit...and it sits about 2 inches lower than other 3rd-gen 4Runners I see. I read that this is common in 2nd gen, but is it a problem in 3rd-gen Runners, too? I'm hoping the dealership will fix the problem, but I wanted to see if I was alone on this. I haven't seen the problem in any other 3rd-gens I've seen on the road where I am.

2. WIGGLING - My gear-shifter (my Runner's an automatic) shakes/wiggles front to back, especially at higher speeds or on bumps. Is this common, too?

3. VIBRATING- I was worried when I first got the car, because the hood vibrated at high speeds or in high winds, especially around the sides and up near the windshield. The dealership fiddled with some things (the latch, the rubber stoppers, etc) that lessened the problem some, and I recently put new screws in to tighten down the bug deflector (which was wobbling all over the place before and potentially diverting air under the hood). Unfortunately, the hood still vibrates a bit at high speeds or in high wind. Is this common?

 

[toybox]

My 3rd gen did not have the sag in the rear end and all the 3rd gen's I've seen were ok too so I would say this is not "normal" but at least it is not a complicated fix.

Can't remember the shifter ever wiggleing so I'd have to say this is not normal also.

If you messed with the stoppers enough you could probably get it to stop vibrating but it also may be in the latch. You have to play with it to find out exactly where the vibration is being generated.

It sounds like it may have been in an accident, has it? I would check.

 

[drivie]

Hey 4Walker,

I recently purchased a 2001 as well and I can tell you that the rear does not sag on mine. The shifter does have a little play in it and moves around a little during normal driving but that's normal as the shifter on my 1997 did the same thing. I'm not sure what to tell you about the vibrating as I don't have that issue but you could try removing the bug shield for a while to see if that resolves the issue.

Another bit of advice (although I'm not sure I'm supposed to mention it) is that you could post your questions at Yotatech as there is a much larger 3rd gen contingent there and you may get a few more responses.

Drivie

 

[02sport]

i don't think the sagging is normal, i think there was a tsb for it(but i think it was for earlier years- dealer should be able to help you there)
as for the wiggling gearshift, my 02 does it to. but slightly, its not excessive.
and the vibrating hood, im almost sure its the hood deflector....is it an oem one? i bought one but took it off for the same reason......i went with a clear bra since and couldn't be happier. someone came up with a 'fix" for it, that was some sort of brace to install. don't know if it worked or not. have a look here

 

[Lam]

I have 02 sport (bought it new), no sagging yet. The shifter does wiggle little, not much. I also noticed the hood vibrating at high speed or strong wind (I have the toyota hood protector). So I guess the stuffs you mentioned are normal except sagging.

 

[Guest]

Also try posting on yotatech.com, they might be helpful too

 

[Thundercloud]

I agree with Lam. I have an '02 and it has the toyota bug shield. The hood does vibrate during high winds and high speeds. The gear shift does move a little in mine too. No sagging though.

 

[drivie]

As an update to my previous reply, I went ahead and put one of my hood protectors on my 4Runner the other day and did notice some vibration of the hood but nothing that was too violent or annoying. At any rate, without the protector, the hood does not vibrate. One other interseting thing, I noticed that with the protector in place, the wind noise over the windshield is more of a buffeting sound rather than a smooth flow of air. I'm not sure I'm going to keep it on the truck.

Drivie