WTF is this? Question regarding the rubber on lift gate [pic]

[Anonymous4Runner]

I stupidly did not realize the severity of said issue at the time of purchase until few days ago. I did notice it was slightly sticky when I inspected the vehicle but dismissed it thinking it might be a cheap fix to replace the rubber. It seems like it's getting worse every day and I'm not sure what to do here. I'm waiting for my VA plates to come in before I take it to my local stealership for state inspection and have the oil changed. Does anyone have an idea of what could have had happened with this? It becomes extremely sticky on hot days and on cool days/nights it's still sticky but not as bad. The picture shown above was taken on a hot day.

The issue is that I purchased this vehicle out-of-state 3 hours away and it came with two warranties with the 1st one lasting 60 days or 3k miles that covers anything wrong with the vehicle and the second warranty that will kick in that will last 3 years. My only concern is how can I remedy this issue without having to drive back to their dealership in Jersey?


I'm open to any ideas including DYI, I'm jsut baffled at what could have had happened with this.

 

[Bryanmc]

The rubber grip for the release melts. Had the same thing happen on the one I just bought.

Don't have the part number but you can replace it pretty easily. The hardest part is scraping out the junk.

 

[Anonymous4Runner]

The rubber grip for the release melts. Had the same thing happen on the one I just bought.

Don't have the part number but you can replace it pretty easily. The hardest part is scraping out the junk.

Thanks man - I'll need to look into locating this part # because it's annoying to say the least. What did you do to fix it, unless you took it back to the dealership and made them fix it since you just purchased the vehicle?


What baffles is that I had a '04 and never once ran into this issue. What year is your 4Runner if you don't mind my asking?


Found the thread on how to replace this -

http://www.toyota120.com/forum/showthread.php?t=18220

 

[Nervo19]

Here's the part on Amazon and it's refreshingly inexpensive:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KC8OLYQ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I ordered it and have it but have not tried to install it because new Tacoma. Mine melted worse on Tuesday moving son to Blacksburg. My short term solution is trim a piece of bike inner tube and glue it on with 3M emblem tape.

Edit: Toyota Part Number 84840-35010

 

[Anonymous4Runner]

Here's the part on Amazon and it's refreshingly inexpensive:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KC8OLYQ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I ordered it and have it but have not tried to install it because new Tacoma. Mine melted worse on Tuesday moving son to Blacksburg. My short term solution is trim a piece of bike inner tube and glue it on with 3M emblem tape.

Edit: Toyota Part Number 84840-35010

Gobble gobble *****es! Lets go Hokies.

There is a cheaper price on eBay - I just placed an order tonight and should have it delivered by Friday. I'm just going to avoid using the rear lift gate altogether until this issue is resolved. I'm tired of getting my hands dirty every time I use it, haha.

Genuine Toyota Back Door Opener Switch Assy 4Runner 84840 35010 | eBay

 

[Bryanmc]

Thanks man - I'll need to look into locating this part # because it's annoying to say the least. What did you do to fix it, unless you took it back to the dealership and made them fix it since you just purchased the vehicle?


What baffles is that I had a '04 and never once ran into this issue. What year is your 4Runner if you don't mind my asking?


Found the thread on how to replace this -

http://www.toyota120.com/forum/showthread.php?t=18220

I have a 2007 but I guess Texas summers just baked it.

I noticed it when I was looking at the truck so the dealer replaced it. I did have to clean it up more after though, that stuff was everywhere in there.

 

[kevinpt]

would this work for those that have found the issue before its all melted?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuE5F3qZgnY

 

[Anonymous4Runner]

would this work for those that have found the issue before its all melted?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuE5F3qZgnY

Obviously mine melted as you can see in OP but if any, I'd recommend for everyone else to proactively replace the rubber grip before it melts (assuming they did ship defective rubber grips starting in 2006) !!! Spare yourself the hassle of replacing it as well as washing your hands to get rid of melted rubber

 

[Arthur4R]

This happens across all Toyota's and Lexus's. There are threads on top of threads with trunk button melting. Flawed design shame on them!!!!

 

[kevinpt]

Obviously mine melted as you can see in OP but if any, I'd recommend for everyone else to proactively replace the rubber grip before it melts (assuming they did ship defective rubber grips starting in 2006) !!! Spare yourself the hassle of replacing it as well as washing your hands to get rid of melted rubber

i have an 09 and mine has just started to melt do i will get a new cover.

had this happen the other day. nothing like getting in the truck to go to lunch at work and see the mirror hanging

 

[Nervo19]

i have an 09 and mine has just started to melt do i will get a new cover.

had this happen the other day. nothing like getting in the truck to go to lunch at work and see the mirror hanging

I guess I have that to look forward to since we live miles from each other and share the climate. At least you can go to Autozone and buy some 3M tape or glue for it. A simple but annoying repair. What was wrong with screwing the rear view mirror to the ceiling anyway?

 

[V8Man]

Cut a piece of a plastic grocery bag and just stick it to the rubber. This will keep your fingers clean until you can get the rubber/switch replaced.

 

[Anonymous4Runner]

Cut a piece of a plastic grocery bag and just stick it to the rubber. This will keep your fingers clean until you can get the rubber/switch replaced.

Any ideas how I can clean this off without causing damage to the paint? Others have mentioned scraping it off with a blade of some sort - just wish there was some kind of chemical that exited where it could easily correct an issue like this one for instance!

 

[07V8]

This recently happened to mine too. Completely out of the blue.

Does it require any disassembly to replace?

 

[Anonymous4Runner]

This recently happened to mine too. Completely out of the blue.

Does it require any disassembly to replace?

Refer to an earlier post I made with the link - it has a step-by-step guideline. I'm just waiting for the part to come in on Friday - check out the eBay link if you haven't already, it's cheaper the one on Amazon

 

[ChrisLovesUgly]

I realized that mine was taped over with electrical tape after I bought it. Purchased the same one from eBay and swapped it in. I would recommend gloves if you have them, or gojo for afterward. The writeup linked to above was perfect. It took maybe an hour or so, including cleaning off the goop.

 

[kevinpt]

got my cover in the mail. going to try to install it tomorrow

 

[Anonymous4Runner]

got my cover in the mail. going to try to install it tomorrow

It should be an easy one!

I got it in the mail a day early so I replaced and installed the new one yesterday. Be sure to wear an old shirt for this work! I ruined one of my nicer collared shirts because I did not account for the lift gate door rubbing off my shirt with melted rubber gunk on it but I'm glad I was able to save myself a trip to the dealership to have this installed - I will need to buff out dried rubber gunk on the exterior trim at one point. It gets quite dirty once you unscrew and take it off - would use a piece of paper towel or something to grab ahold of it. Good luck

 

[kevinpt]

It should be an easy one!

I got it in the mail a day early so I replaced and installed the new one yesterday. Be sure to wear an old shirt for this work! I ruined one of my nicer collared shirts because I did not account for the lift gate door rubbing off my shirt with melted rubber gunk on it but I'm glad I was able to save myself a trip to the dealership to have this installed - I will need to buff out dried rubber gunk on the exterior trim at one point. It gets quite dirty once you unscrew and take it off - would use a piece of paper towel or something to grab ahold of it. Good luck

did you take the door apart to get the trim panel off or replace it on the truck

 

[Anonymous4Runner]

did you take the door apart to get the trim panel off or replace it on the truck

You just pry it apart and the panel comes off by itself. It will have plastic tubes holding it together so try to pry it open slowly while working your way around. You have to disconnect the rubber grip's wire in order to replace it anyway so there is no way you can replace it from the outside


Edit: apologies for the late response, i don't have email notifications setup - let me know how the install went! there's also another video on youtube of this guy doing the door latch replacement on a early 4th gen that also shows how to take off the trim panel if you're having trouble