SR5 Factory Skid Plate Randomly Came Off

[TriballRick]

I woke up the other morning and drove to my destination only to find that my factory skid plate on my SR5 was dragging on the blacktop the entire way. The four bolts mounting the skid plate were all gone, and the skid plate was only hanging on by the two bolts attaching it to the front plastic piece. Any ideas how this happened? My guess it the dealership did not torque the bolts properly when the changed my oil a few months ago.

 

[flyrv9]

I doubt dealerships torque much of anything - especially the kids that do oil changes and other like work. What some folks here do, is remove skid plates, etc. before taking the vehicle to the dealer. This also avoids the overtorquing of some fasteners that create another problem.

 

[lewdog998]

Dealer Service Department Manual

Section 2.4

..." Toyota over engineers all vehicle components. It is not necessary to use all fastners when replacing parts. In fact the practice of leaving a few bolts out (up to 75%) is encouraged. The vehicle will be lighter thus improving gas mileage. Note, this service should be billed under service code "FU6969...Environmental Charge"

 

[Jeremy556]

You don't have to be Sherlock Holmes to figure this one out, and it is certainly not random. Now just imagine what they have done to your drain plug and oil filter housing (if they changed the filter at all).

 

[mrblah]

its not a toyota thing, lol.

i always check my skidplate bolts after the vehicle had work done by a mechanic, and before I go offroading.

I keep a few spare bolts on hand, because its common for skidplate bolts to rattle loose.

 

[TriballRick]

Dealer Service Department Manual

Section 2.4

..." Toyota over engineers all vehicle components. It is not necessary to use all fastners when replacing parts. In fact the practice of leaving a few bolts out (up to 75%) is encouraged. The vehicle will be lighter thus improving gas mileage. Note, this service should be billed under service code "FU6969...Environmental Charge"

This made me laugh

 

[02SE]

its not a toyota thing, lol.

i always check my skidplate bolts after the vehicle had work done by a mechanic, and before I go offroading.

I keep a few spare bolts on hand, because its common for skidplate bolts to rattle loose.

I've owned 4wd vehicles since the 80's. Never had a skidplate bolt rattle loose.

If they are rattling loose, then they've been installed improperly.

 

[mrblah]

I've owned 4wd vehicles since the 80's. Never had a skidplate bolt rattle loose.

If they are rattling loose, then they've been installed improperly.

It’s a grease monkey thing lol

 

[Glenn Goodlett]

Good riddance...It's a buying opportunity for some better armor underneath.