Sticky/Gummy Rubber Randle for Rear Hatch/Liftgate

[Aggiechick]

Has anyone else experienced a sticky/gummy rubber handle on their rear hatch of their 5th gen? I have a 2010 and noticed this a couple of months ago. It is not something that is remedied with cleaning. I found similar threads for 4th gen 4Runners (How to: Replace Rear Hatch Opening Switch - Toyota 120 Platforms Forum), but nothing for 5th gen. I'm checking with my dealer tomorrow on if it is a warrantied issue when my 4Runner is in for 50,000 mile maintenance. It seems like Toyota would have corrected this problem since it was evidently also an issue on the previous generation and even on other models, like the Sienna. If it isn't warrantied, hopefully the self-replacement isn't too different than that for 4th gen 4Runners.

 

[1engineer]

Yours is the first case on a 5th Gen that has been posted here I think. Congratulations.

 

[SigSense]

Never had that problem, how did you clean it?

 

[Eagle]

This thread may be relevant to you:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/150027-help-hatch-handle-melted.html

 

[Aggiechick]

Never had that problem, how did you clean it?

I could clean it with some soap and water, but it wouldn't help. It's kind of melted looking.

 

[Aggiechick]

This thread may be relevant to you:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/150027-help-hatch-handle-melted.html

Thanks for the thread link! I didn't think to search for "melted", but that is an accurate way to describe it.

 

[4rbcool]

Mine is doing the same thing sticky and leaving black residue on hand during use. The rubber is decomposing. This should not be happening.

 

[cbreze]

You all parking outdoors a lot, hot weather areas ? I'm not in Phoenix anymore(thankGod), but the dry hot heat there is murder on any type of rubber. Used to have to use a moisturizer on it.

 

[jrandom]

You must have gotten something reactive on it that was on your hands or something you or someone else may have cleaned it with?

It it the entire cover? including the very outside edges?

I would imagine it has to be hotter than 100-150 degrees to effect the rubber. Crazy if it is though.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Mine is doing the same thing sticky and leaving black residue on hand during use. The rubber is decomposing. This should not be happening.

I see this a lot on BMW, Lexus, Mercedes, GM, ect. that use that type of handle switch. It's not uncommon for the rubber to degrade/break down on some vehicles.

Was an uncommon occurrence on the 4th gens also, first 5th gen I have heard of though.

 

[4rbcool]

Sun is not the issue. The is the under side of the handle not in direct sunlight. It's like a rubber gasket covering the switch that opens the hatch. The rubber is definitely decomposing. I never wipe it with anything. Does it get wet while washing yes but that's about it expect for oil from human touch while using it. Guess I'm showing it to the dealership when I'm in there for the next oil change and pucker up when the price the replacement or get the part and put it on myself. The black stuff is getting on our hans now and making a mess.

 

[STX4Runner]

Just noticed yesterday that mine is tearing along the outside edge and the mechanism under the handle just feels off or different somehow. Still works and still opens the hatch just fine. It feels like the other posters described, the rubber feels soft like it degraded somehow.

 

[FrenchToasty]

Pulled off my rear valance and changed only the rubber cover, took about an hour with alcohol to clean all the clingons off.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Just noticed yesterday that mine is tearing along the outside edge and the mechanism under the handle just feels off or different somehow. Still works and still opens the hatch just fine. It feels like the other posters described, the rubber feels soft like it degraded somehow.

The rubber compound breaks down from a variety of things I've noticed, mainly I assume from gases/fumes being sucked against the door when driving. I replace these things on Prius pretty regularly, but as I stated before it seems like a common issue with all makes and models using a rubber pad on the rear door.

Pulled off my rear valance and changed only the rubber cover, took about an hour with alcohol to clean all the clingons off.

Did you get a new Toyota rubber pad or have you found an alternative part supplier? It'd be nice to know for other members as usually if you catch it early the rubber is all that needs to be replaced. Usually you have to replace the entire switch assembly which is expensive and in most cases the switch portion is still good.

 

[FrenchToasty]

The rubber compound breaks down from a variety of things I've noticed, mainly I assume from gases/fumes being sucked against the door when driving. I replace these things on Prius pretty regularly, but as I stated before it seems like a common issue with all makes and models using a rubber pad on the rear door.



Did you get a new Toyota rubber pad or have you found an alternative part supplier? It'd be nice to know for other members as usually if you catch it early the rubber is all that needs to be replaced. Usually you have to replace the entire switch assembly which is expensive and in most cases the switch portion is still good.

Yeah mine was in terrible shape, I'm still trying to get the black stuff off my hands. I used a aftermarket rubber cover found on amazon
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B...rd_wg=xEnJM&psc=1&refRID=5E5EXFC3ESXNDA6WFEH5
Fit perfectly over switch housing after lots of cleaning of old residue.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

The switch itself is a plastic housing with a plastic bar to actuate a micro-switch at the bottom. The only time I've really seen them fail is when the switch housing is just so gummed up it bends the switch arm and/or quits traveling properly.

 

[Johnny Utah]

...and....i am here for my rear lift gate melted....it's hot here in florida....Thanks for the amazon link.

 

[Quebec]

I noticed mine started disintegrating about a year ago. It's finally ripped completely loose. Time to replace.

ETA:

Found a helpful youtube video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5ZUccXgzMc

 

[jared.hessler]

Doing my part for future forum searchers. Follow the advice from this thread. It works. Just did mine yesterday. I used goo gone with great results to speed the cleaning. My old rubber pad looked like the insides of Chernobyl post-meltdown...and now it's good as new!

 

[Jeffrey_VB]

Not my 4Runner, but did have the same issue on my now ex-wife’s Sienna. Ended up replacing the part. Was a few years ago, but I remember it being a pretty easy process to replace it.