Why would Toyota do this?

Due to having hurt my back a few days ago, I decided to let the local service shop install my new uca's. I got a call from them a few moments ago advising me of a problem. As explained to me, the bolts holding the stock uca's on the truck are installed backwards. I have two options... they can hack up the wheel well fender liner in order to get them out, or they can cut the bolt and put new ones in. I told them to cut it out, as that would be the cleanest install. Unfortunately, the local Toyota dealer does not have any of the bolts in stock, so they are going to have to be ordered from Kansas City. I am still waiting to hear back as to when they will be in. The end result is that I don't know when my truck will be done, I don't want to drive it in the meantime due to needing an alignment, and I will have an additional $66 in parts due to having to cut out the old bolts.

Does Toyota intentionally install the bolts backwards, or had the installer been drinking the day my truck was on the assembly line?

 

Actually in order to remove that bolt the inner fender does have to be bent out a little. Its typical with the installation of aftermarket UCA's. Maybe Chris4x4 will chime in shortly.

 

It takes a little bending of the fenderwell to get that bolt out anyway. I don't think it is installed backwards at all. Read this install thread, and it states about bending the fenderwell, then installing the bolt the opposite way, because it is much easier to put in. I can't imagine a toyota tech doesn't know that the bolt goes in that way and it is a bear to get out. Read this thread I think it will answer a lot of questions...heck send it to the mechanic. The bolt also looks like it could be picked up about anywhere.

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/suspension/14507-total-chaos-uca-how-install.html

 

I'm at a little bit of a disadvantage here because I'm out of town, and my truck is at the shop, so I don't have anything to look at. I called the shop back and explained that others were able to bend the fender, and the owner (who is a family friend, so I trust him) said that he would still recommend cutting it out and replacing it for two reasons. First of all, it would cost me more in labor charges for him to bend it, than it would to just replace the bolts. Secondly, he indicated that alll that bending would flex / crack the paint, and I would likely have rust issues later down the road. For what it's worth, he also said the the instructions even said to cut it out. Additionally, I asked if the bolt were some kind of generic bolt, and he indicated no, that it is about 12-13" long.

Are you guys and the owner talking the same thing, or is he referring to something else?

 

if you look at that thread it shows that Chris4x4 bent the inner fender to get the bolt out. Knowing the things he does and all the install threads he has provided, I don't think he would bend it if he thought it would cause damage later down the line. If he already cut the bolt it is a mute point. But if not and you want your truck back fast, I would have him bend it...it is a slight bend that is needed. You can bend it with channel locks, I am not sure how they would charge more labor for that? Once you go to install the new UCA's you flip the bolt around and come the other way to make it easier.

 

It is entirely likely that the UCAs were installed before the fenders were installed, where that direction of the bolts makes sense.

 

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just bend the metal, the paint didnt crack on mine and if you move things out of the way (brake lines, etc..) you really don't have to bend it that much. and on assembly my bolts are facing the opposite way they were originally installed, a year later and they have never been loose or had any problems. send the mechanic the write up on changing UCA's.

 

The bending is really easy!!!! All they have to do is take a pair of vise grips and bend the fender outwards and the bolt will slide out. Its really, really easy!!! Not difficult at all. Also, the bolts are installed like that for a reason. If the nut ever came off, the bolt will stay in place due to gravity. The other way around and the bolt would fall out, and the uca would fall off and you'd have a huge accident if you were going 100 on the interstate.

Tell them to use a pair of vise grips and bend the bender a bit, its really not that difficult. It took me about 5 minutes per side to do.

 

this many people reading the ignorance of said service shop in KS:

Dark Knight, MAXTacoma, drew02a, Homer J, Zach, LanNinja, kbaum08, matthew5olson, FirsTaco, waxhead, uood8, smallcandle, kasey200, WONDER8OY, jc08taco, Yesterdayz, awwmann, VTsullyman, 06Bluez