Is the 150 showing any signs of cracked inner guards

[rob_macca67]

SUCCESS.... Got the phone call from Toyota Australia today saying that "out of good faith" that they will pay repairs "this time only".... "happens again and I'm on my own"..... Gee, now that's a good sign of faith isn't it.....
Anyways, for the moment they are coughing up for the repair bill w/o accepting any responsibility. This is GREAT News....but the problem still lies as to "What caused this to crack initially" and "How do u stop it from cracking again?" I've asked if there is a way of making this area a little bit stronger by way of welding or spot welding some strengthening plate in there but the dealership person I've been dealing with indicated that this would have to be discussed with the Panel Beater and any "extra" cost would have to be funded by myself....IS THIS SOMETHING THAT I SHOULD HAVE DONE TO PREVENT FUTURE CRACKS??

Toyota are still pointing the problem towards the Accessories.... which is mainly the ARB Bullbar. They also have requested from myself the following information:

• How much towing (more so touring type holidays with Van in Tow)
• Where we went on our recent Outback Trip and what roads we travelled on and approx kms travelled
• What Suspension I have installed
• What accessories I have on the vehicle

Until the reason/cause of the cracks are known, I must admit, my faith in the car has been knocked and if I was to travel out west again, I would have 2nd thoughts in taking the Prado out there and then having to go through this whole routine again....The Toyota Dealership person that I've been dealing with "suggested" (these being his own opinion) that I relocate the 2nd battery or remove all together and for some reason lower my ARB Bullbar which has signs of rubbing on the corners with the plastic bumper.....I don't understand the Bullbar comment as this rubbing has nothing to do with the cacuse and is mainly due to the movement in body & chassis. The gap is the same as any other ARB bar that I seen so I'm a little confused by that comment....

Not sure what I'll do with the car long term, but ATM I'm leaning towards selling it and buying the last of the 100's TD, so that we can continue enjoying our outback adventures with having the peace of mind that the vehicle can handle the road conditions w/o cracking up...... I hope

cheers.... from a VERY HAPPY OWNER (some what)

rob

[rob_macca67]

The response from Toyota was that the owner pays for the labour ($4500) and toyota pays for parts ($1200 for the 2 inner guards). The owner has made a lot of noise and has spent a lot of hours chasing this. The dash has to come out in order to replace the inner guards. The quote was for 88 hours of labour. About 18 of that is for removing and replacing the dash.

thanks for that.... would prefer for Toyota to pay for all though.....

That would be good

The response from Toyota was that the owner pays for the labour ($4500) and toyota pays for parts ($1200 for the 2 inner guards). The owner has made a lot of noise and has spent a lot of hours chasing this. The dash has to come out in order to replace the inner guards. The quote was for 88 hours of labour. About 18 of that is for removing and replacing the dash.

[Schniff]

Rob, PM sent.

[winniliss]

Rob, its interesting that Toyota have directly blamed ARB for the cracks, as they have just talked about 'non-genuine accessories' in my dealings. If they would go ahead and blame ARB is would be much easier. At least ARB will fight it for you.

Don't ARB make the genuine bullbars to Toyota specs for the 200 series?

I feel sorry for you that you still have a couple of years on the lease. Mine is up Feb, so it won't be too bad. Its a travesty that you are forced to use the D22 for touring duties having forked out all that money for a Prado.

As an aside I was recently up near Exmouth for work and drove a Hertz hirecar 120 Prado with an ARB bar. There was serious cracking on the passenger side guard (where the battery is fitted) and a lot of the welds were failing. Nothing at all on the driver side.

Toyota have still not provided me with any engineering explanation as to how the accessories have caused the cracks. I am tired of writing letters back and forth. When I get back home I will be getting a repair quote done which will determine if I go to small claims or go the whole hog and take Toyota to court.

Post the videos on Youtube...

[rob_macca67]

That's no good Rob.

There's a 120 in Adelaide with Sovereign bar and winch that has cracks on both sides of the guard. Might see if I can catch up with the owner to see what's happening.

That would be good

[rob_macca67]

Don't ARB make the genuine bullbars to Toyota specs for the 200 series?



Toyota have still not provided me with any engineering explanation as to how the accessories have caused the cracks. I am tired of writing letters back and forth. When I get back home I will be getting a repair quote done which will determine if I go to small claims or go the whole hog and take Toyota to court.

Thats the funny thing..... when I was talking with the ARB person, he told me that the early 200's were having problems with cracks in the front of the chassis (I think this was when any B/bar was fitted?). The solution was for Toyota to use an ARB component which apparently solved the problem....


I'm sorry that I've still got 3yrs left on my lease.... I might re-look at what the payout amt is at the end of next year.... It's the whole having to fight thing that is a PITA as I've got better things to do with my time than having to fight Toyota....

Toyota Australia couldn't even be bothered to give me a "written" response. It was just a verbal message to the Dealer who relayed it to me.... No chance to talk with them... nothing..... pretty flamin poor customer service if u ask me....

That's no good Rob.

There's a 120 in Adelaide with Sovereign bar and winch that has cracks on both sides of the guard. Might see if I can catch up with the owner to see what's happening.

[Schniff]

Rob, its interesting that Toyota have directly blamed ARB for the cracks, as they have just talked about 'non-genuine accessories' in my dealings. If they would go ahead and blame ARB is would be much easier. At least ARB will fight it for you.

Don't ARB make the genuine bullbars to Toyota specs for the 200 series?

I feel sorry for you that you still have a couple of years on the lease. Mine is up Feb, so it won't be too bad. Its a travesty that you are forced to use the D22 for touring duties having forked out all that money for a Prado.

As an aside I was recently up near Exmouth for work and drove a Hertz hirecar 120 Prado with an ARB bar. There was serious cracking on the passenger side guard (where the battery is fitted) and a lot of the welds were failing. Nothing at all on the driver side.

Toyota have still not provided me with any engineering explanation as to how the accessories have caused the cracks. I am tired of writing letters back and forth. When I get back home I will be getting a repair quote done which will determine if I go to small claims or go the whole hog and take Toyota to court.

[rob_macca67]

What is the squash tube and was it actually replaced?

That's just it..... they have know idea of telling from photos or anything as to whether it was or was not replaced..... U can't tell w/o removing parts of the B/bar so for them to make that statement is just crap.....plus it's not in the ARB fitting instructions to replace anything like that anyhow & the installer simply followed the ARB fitting instructions. The mounts, etc are all original AFAIK

[rob_macca67]

Does this mean that ARB has accepted some of the responsibility and are willing to chip in for some of the repairs?

Cheers Andrew

No, but they're going to look into it (I hope). The main person involved is on A/L and back next week, so I'll know more when I speak to him.... I don't know the what outcome will be but if they can help me disprove what Toyota has implied and get them to reverse their decision, I'll be a happy man...... it might be a LONG shot, but better than nothing.... otherwise it's an insurance repair & I wait another 2yrs or so when the lease is up & get rid of it & will never buy another new Prado again..... back to an older/stronger model 4WD for what I want to do....might look at the last of the 100's TD....

In the meantime I'll have to squeeze the family into my D22 DualCab for any remote touring that involves corrugated roads, etc.... what a shame Toyota

[krypto]

The cracking has occurred because the front cab mount has been modified when the bullbar was fitted. The squash tube of the front body mount was replaced which made this mount much stiffer

What is the squash tube and was it actually replaced?

[AJ120]

I've just heard back from Toyota Australia in regards to the Inner Guard Crack.... as expected they deny any responsibility and pushed the blame onto ARB. I've contacted ARB and they have been VERY helpful

Does this mean that ARB has accepted some of the responsibility and are willing to chip in for some of the repairs?

Cheers Andrew

[rob_macca67]

Posted this in another post.... thought I'd better post it here as well........

I've just heard back from Toyota Australia in regards to the Inner Guard Crack.... as expected they deny any responsibility and pushed the blame onto ARB. I've contacted ARB and they have been VERY helpful, so hopefuly we can get Toyota to reverse their decision, especially when they put the blame on as quoted "The cracking has occurred because the front cab mount has been modified when the bullbar was fitted. The squash tube of the front body mount was replaced which made this mount much stiffer. This introduced stress into the front guards eventually causing cracking" They went on to say this isn't the 1st instance they have seen this with that particular bullbar manufacturer.... What a load of BS !!!

I can feel the grey hairs coming now.....

[Schniff]

It definitely is an expensive fix, to ensure it doesnt come back the skirt needs to be cut out and a new one welded in. Everthing on that side of the engine bay has to be taken out, including the main wiring loom that goes through the firewall if fixing the passenger side. You are looking at $3-4000 per side. Make no mistake this is a serious issue and I would no longer recommend the Prado for serious outback travel.

I paid $900 to get my cracks welded and it was definitely not the right way to fix it. They cracked on the very next trip far worse than before. Once they start to go, they generally don't stop if subjected to the same stresses.