OEM Rear Bumper Alignment

Damn,: I was right! They really need to rethink their process if they care about the misalignment.

 

We visited the BMW factory in Regensberg and the process was the same. However a tech goes over the car at the end and takes care of these issues, so it's not the process, but quality control.

 

I'll bite! I am from Missouri after all...

 

I’m not sure I understand your reply. Are you looking for info about aligning your bumper? If so, there is a bunch of info on this thread and I followed the write up by @MetrickMetal. Super helpful.

Edit https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/16-tacoma-bumper-cap-removal.404082/page-5#post-13263852

 

Thanks, that is what I was looking for!

 

I think Toyota is making everything crooked as a design feature so it is harder for police radars to pick up, think of the angular shape of a stealth aircraft ........... they just don't know how to market this feature yet, it will be a surprise for 2019 rather than something useful like Apple Car play.

 

Might still not be fresh in your head, but can you or someone refer to me to these detailed instructions? So far I only found a video on taking off the entire bumper which seems like a huge PITA!

 

The write-up below is pretty much what I followed. I found it really helpful to get the step by step instructions. The video link below is also helpful for a good visual demo. I stopped short of taking the end caps off as that is not needed to align the bumper. I did find it necessary to loosen and adjust both sides a little to get them even. There is so little room to play with in terms of adjustment that moving both sides a bit was necessary for me. Also, when popping the black step off, you can release the row of clips from below only for the side of the step nearest the tailgate/bed. The row of clips farthest to the rear are just pulled up/out with some force. It takes a bit. You could possibly pry with a trim tool or screw driver, but I was able to pull free with my hands. It might be helpful to know that the clips are the same on either side, so you'll know what you're dealing with once you take a look from below. You'll be so satisfied when you're done! Good luck.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/16-tacoma-bumper-cap-removal.404082/page-5#post-13263852

https://youtu.be/xKhcomDLQmE

 

Thanks man. You say little adjustment... looking at my pics is there enough adjustment to fix/align it? I prob will take it to dealer soon and have them do it. We shouldn’t have to do this if under warranty on a brand new truck. It’s on those F’rs as far as I’m concerned. Also, was your bed ok?

 

I just did this myself to mine this past weekend. its not too hard, you just have to be careful. I broke a retainer clip to one of back up sensors and turns out you can't just buy the retainer, you have to buy the whole damn sensor if you get it from the dealer. very costly for sure, but Amazon sells a Tundra sensor that is exactly the same and comes with the retainer for $20, so I just bought one of those tonight and will use the retainer ring and hold onto the sensor for future use if need be.

I agree the dealer should fix this issue but my dealer walked the lot and said and I quote "all the Tacoma's on our lot are like this, they have to be this way because the gas tank is on the driver's side". which is total bullshit! mine was off a full 1/2" one side to the other. loosened up the bumper and adjusted and now it sits perfectly even on each side. and I am glad I did it myself. I got to learn how to do something new and working on my own truck is always a good thing.

 

Just seems like a huge pain. Did you have a lot of adjustability to align it all? Mine is like yours about a half inch off. Do you have to fully remove the bumper, or just take the top black piece off and loosen and adjust?

I don’t think I have these sensors... I don’t have the technology package... but not sure

And what does the bumper have anything to do with the gas tank! Lol

 

Why would you have to disconnect wiring and pop out license plate lights if only loosening things up to adjust alignment?

 

You have to take off the black plastic cap (what you step on) to loosen the bolts to adjust the bumper. The license plates lights and tow hookup attach to that black plastic cap. Got to pop them out and disconnect them to remove the cap. I used a big flat head screw driver to push the tab in to remove those items. Once you figure out where to push on them (took me a minute) they popped right out.

 

yes there is enough adjustment to get it right. you have to actually move both sides though. I had to move one side in 1/4" and pull the other one out 1/4".

if you don't have the sensors you don't have anything to worry about.

absolutely nothing. thats a dealer for ya.

and you have to remove the license plate lights because you have to remove the black step pad on the top of the bumper because there are 6 bolts you have to access on top and 4 underneath. its not that hard in all actuality.

 

Thanks guys. What’s the hardest part and how long did it take? Easy to put everything back together without confusing things?

And did you question the dealer after that?

 

Popping out the license plate lights was the hardest part for me. It was tough to see up behind the bumper. Then just putting the right pressure to get them to pop out. After that smooth sailing. Under 30mins start to finish if all goes smoothly.

 

So I take it watching that video, you do everything he does up until removing the actual bumper... and instead just loosen all those bolts and realign?

 

Correct, I didn't completely remove the bumper. I only loosened up all the bolts that held it to the frame. I also don't have back up sensors so I didn't have to worry about those.

 

lol, no after they told me that shit I was like, I will just do it myself. that way it will get done. I figured they would send it to their body shop and then they would say it is supposed to be that in case someone hits you, that way we won't have to fix it, it will just correct itself. lol

 

Same for me. Just need to get the step cover off. No need to remove the end caps to align, either. Hardest part for me was popping the lights. Easier the second time but they aren’t the most accessible pieces if you have the hitch.