Rubber melting

[wilkinm2]

I have a 2007 Sport 4Runner. I have owned it since it was new. I have already replaced the rear hatch switch due to the rubber melting. Now the rubber around the windows are starting to melt as well. It sits outside and I do not use any special cleaners on the car. The wife takes it thru car washes and I use regular dish soap mixed with a lot of water to hand wash it. I know rubber will break down over time but after only 4 years? The rubber is cracking and when you touch it your finger easily goes through it and it comes back with black sticky goo. I contacted the dealer and got the usual “its out of warranty but we will look at it” speech. I called Toyota directly and they said they have not heard of this but they do want me to bring it to a dealer and they are willing to work with me on this to try and solve the issue.

Other than the rear latches has anyone else seen this issue?????
:wtf:

 

[Mytoy4]

Here's another thread regarding this issue.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/70414-rear-hatch-opener-melted.html

 

[sonerick]

I don't have an answer to your question, but just want to make sure you are waxing your car after EVERY washing with dish soap. Dish soap strips of the wax on the car, and using it over and over again will lead to scratches, swirl marks, and an overall dulling of the finish on your truck. Dish soap may even be causing the rubber to break down quicker than normal, but that is just speculation. I'd suggest experimenting with some of the widely available vehicle-specific soaps out there when washing. They really work well for cleaning and protecting your vehicle.

Just my 0.02 cents...

Edit: To the OP, I didn't mean for any bashing with regards to using the dish soap, I really meant it as a helpful suggestion. Welcome to the forum! There is a wealth of information here as I'm sure you already know. Don't be afraid to ask questions, and please take the responses with a grain of salt!

 

[blkexp98]

Please stop with the dish soap. As sonerick said it will strip off the wax. I have a 2007 and my hatch handle melted as well. Since the hatch deal wasnt covered under warranty i hate to say it but i doubt the weatherstripping will be either. Hopefully they will do as they said and work something out.

Ill look over mine and see if i notice anything since mine is the same year.

 

[MikeInNH]

I concur....STOP USING DISH SOAP..

It's a LOT stronger then regular car wash liquid you can buy....It WILL strip any wax you have. I've seen the results of it...Father-in-law loved using it...And after 5 years his car looked like crap...He couldn't understand it..and didn't believe me that dish soap was the cause.

 

[Uneek]

I use 303 Aerospace Protectant on the rubber and black plastic trim.

 

[SkylineGTRracer]

I thought of something totally different when I read the title. rofl!

 

[BlackWorksInc]

I thought of something totally different when I read the title. rofl!

Of course you did you speed-aholic :roadkill:

Never heard of this problem... could you provide pictures?

 

[SkylineGTRracer]

You haven't seen anything yet!

 

[wilkinm2]

I only wash the car twice per year if that. You live in the country and on a gravel road what is the point when it gets dirty just driving it once. Using just regular auto soap just does not cut the grime when you don't wash it that often. Plus I do not garage it. I will try and get a few photos and post them soon.

 

[onemoreokie]

I have a 2007 and my hatch handle melted as well. Since the hatch deal wasnt covered under warranty i hate to say it but i doubt the weatherstripping will be either.

Ill look over mine and see if i notice anything since mine is the same year.

I also have a 2007 that had a melted hatch mechanism. They initially declined the warranty but I appealed and they folded and replaced it.

I think it was a case of squeaky wheel getting the grease. I'm really squeaky!

 

[wilkinm2]

Here is what I got. It is only happening on the driver side and on the rear hatch window. So far no where else.

 

[Doozi]

I use 303 Aerospace Protectant on the rubber and black plastic trim.

Me too... it seems to work pretty well at keeping rubber and plastic looking good!

 

[JSimmons]

Just out of curiosity...what do you use to clean your windows? I know you said you only wash your truck twice a year with dish soap, but I'm fairly certain you clean your windows more often than that.

If you're using anything that has bleach or an extremely caustic chemical in it (it sounds like you like using stuff that cleans the grime away quickly and effectively) you may have emulsified part of the weather stripping.

Just a guess.

 

[wilkinm2]

I use Windex only. I use it on all my other cars and none of those have ever shown an issue. Also if I see it on the driver front and rear door and on the rear hatch why have I not seen it on the passenger side??? Like I said it is acting just like the rear latch melting issue. When weather stripping cracks it is usually due to dry rot. This is not dry rot.

 

[blkexp98]

Something ive wondered about is if the rubbers they use react to some peoples sweat or skin oils. Since thats the only part i really touch that what came to mind on my hatch. I didnt mention that at the dealer but did think about it. It would make since on your drivers window as well if you put your arm out. Also bug sprays could do it if they were on you. Ive seen those melt rubber before.

What do yall think about my idea? I dont really know of a fix for it but thats what i came up with as a cause. I dont put my arm out the window as much as i used to on my explorer so that may be why i haven't seen any issue yet.

 

[sonerick]

I use Windex only. I use it on all my other cars and none of those have ever shown an issue. Also if I see it on the driver front and rear door and on the rear hatch why have I not seen it on the passenger side??? Like I said it is acting just like the rear latch melting issue. When weather stripping cracks it is usually due to dry rot. This is not dry rot.

Something is going on here. Either the driver's side and rear hatch weatherstripping that you got from the factory happens to be defective, or some other chemical reaction is taking place that is deteriorating the rubber.

You said you don't garage it. Does the driver's side and rear get more sun exposure where you regularly park? Has your car been parked somewhere and incidentally sprayed with something (bug spray, etc. as the previous poster mentioned)?

I know it is easy to assume defective rubber because it seems that your other cars are fine, however this does not seem to be a common problem and it's only happening on 2 sides of your vehicle, so I'm hesitant to blame Toyota. Have you taken it to the dealer yet for inspection? I agree that this should not happen after only a few years of vehicle ownership, maybe they will be sympathetic and replace them for you. Definitely keep us posted

 

[wilkinm2]

The 4runner is driven everyday. Yes it sits out in the sun but I still do not understand why none of my other cars see this. Going to the dealer next week and see what they say. Toyota said they are willing to work with me in good faith. We shall see what comes of that. Like I said the three peices of rubber are the only ones melting. All the other rubber on the car (around doors, moon roof, etc) are fine.

On a side note has anyone seen the latches melt that were older than 2007? A friend at work has a 2007 and his did the same as mine. Yet another friend has a 2006 and his is just fine.

 

[wilkinm2]

Good news and bad news. First the bad news. According to Toyota this has been happening in both Texas and Florida and that they attribute it to high heat. Toyota corperate would not cover the replacement of the parts.

Good new is my hats off to Champion Toyota in Austin Texas. They stepped uped and covered the cost for the parts and labor. Said no way that looked like heat was the cause.:bravo:

Great guys down at Champion Toyota. They have my business for as long as they like.

 

[MICA4R]

Good new is my hats off to Champion Toyota in Austin Texas.

Nice! I'll be in Austin this weekend, I definitely will stop by and see if they can help me out with my rear hatch. :guitar2: