Wheel well sound dampening material concern

Good morning 4runner Family!

New 4Runner owner ('23 ORP) here; as I was measuring my tire pressure, I stumbled upon this. I noticed one of the bolts was protruding beyond the sound-dampening liner in one wheel well, but in the other, it was covered. Any need for concern and should I try to fix it?

Is this material for sound dampening or for rust protection or both?
Can I purchase this material if I want to add more? Is this even a good idea?

Thank you all!

 

Images didn't load for me, but this seems to be a common thing, and there are several threads discussing it. It definitely seems like a poor fit and finish for a 50k dollar rig, but it has been going on so long and Toyota hasn't done anything about it. Some guys put a little paint in the threads, some guys thread a nut on, some do nothing. Some think that threading a nut in would change the physics if how the seatbelt would work, because it is apparently a seatbelt bolt sticking through.

 

We all have that in the rear wheels. It looks like poor workmanship to me but that’s how they do it.

I put some fluid film on mine with a rag to prevent rusty look later on

You will also note a small slit in that liner also where you can see back to the sheet metal. It’s hard to find but there.

My dealer and others suggest it’s a drain hole for the moon roof so advised against filling it in

 

Hello, and congratulations on purchasing your new 4Runner!

Your post it reminded me of reading about this back when I bought my 4Runner in 2021. I cleaned the the protruding threads with some solvent and covered them with some quality black RTV.

https://www.4runners.com/threads/5th-gen-factory-build-issues.21812/#post-273950

 

I uploaded the images again, hopefully, this time it works. Ahh, I guess I was expecting more from Toyota; especially a vehicle that was built in Japan. I may be nitpicking here and it seems like a simple fix based on the responses. But as you said, it's a 50k vehicle and I shouldn't have to do this.

 

Thanks for sharing your experience as well as highlighting the drain hole. I'll be sure to keep an eye out for it when I seal the exposed bolt.

 

Thank you, I appreciate the well wishes! Thanks for sharing the link as well. I'll definitely take some action to avoid any potential issues down the road. I live in NY so winters and salt are an issue.

 

Is the OEM material that Toyota uses available to purchase? I'm not even sure what the material is, seems like some tar-type adhesive.

 

Maybe there are some roofing products that are similar to this material. But if you do something like this, make sure you apply in such a manner as to avoid air pockets. Condensation that will form inside any air pockets will leave you worse off.

I sprayed the area with woolwax, and touch up the area whenever I think it needs it.

 

$12 3M Professional Grade Rubberized Undercoating, Corrosion, Water and Salt Spray Resistant, 03584, 16 oz. Aerosol

3m Rubberized Undercoating

 

Also, the uncovered seatbelt anchor bolts are nothing new with toyota. Here is a pic of a 2000 Highlander and a 99 Rav4.




Frankly I’m surprised that one of your bolts is completely covered.

 

Thanks for the recommendation and advice!

 

Thank you Captain!

 

Lol, I guess I should be happy it wasn't a total miss based on everyone's experience

 

Welcome to the forum!

This is a common issue based on how the 4 runner is assembled and can be easily corrected.

I cleaned my thoroughly and applied several coats of liquid electrical tape. Has held up very well over the past year.

The applicator brush lets you get good coverage.

 

Based on the previous threads on this, there seems to be three categories of reactions to discovering a bolt like this:

- Don't care, doesn't bother them.

- Take matters into their own hands if it is a concern, and spray with canned bedliner.

- Contact the dealer for warranty replacement of said wheel liner, and try to recruit enough people to file a class action lawsuit due to an egregious safety oversight by Toyota on a $50k+ vehicle.

I am in the first category.

 

It’s normal and fine.

 

Thanks for providing your solution. I seem to have several ways to address the issue, and all are relatively easy.

 

Here is how I see me dealing with the issue... Step 1: take some action Step 2: Start a crusade to right this wrong with Toyota Step 3: Realize not that many people care Step 4: enjoy my vehicle until I find the next minor issue

 

I probably belong in the first group, but ended up in the second. I didn't know mine were sticking out (they are), but they're coated in Woolwax, and that's how they'll stay.

 

And a 4th category of reaction, talk yourself out of doing anything with it because if Toyota has been doing seatbelt bolts like this for decades, then that means it’s probably like this for a reason. And anything I do to it might result in unintended consequences. That’s why I went with an oil/lanolin coating, insteadof rubber. I figure it’s least likely to do unintended harm.

 

Not a vegan, I see.

 

Nope! I love woolwax, but if they made a bacon-wax product, I’d be all over that!