Toyota tie-down cleat broken

Like I assume everyone else, I got four cleats with my truck that lock into the rails in the bed. Of the four, one of mine doesn't seem to work. With the other three when I pres the plastic center cap the metal tab on the back moves away from the body so that it can be inserted into the rail. With the fourth no matter how hard I press or how far I back out that center cap the metal tab won't move.

Anyone else have this happen, and is there an easy fix? I'm sure the dealership will take care of me if it's a defective piece but if it's just something I'm doing wrong or there's an easy fix for a known problem I'd rather fix it myself.

 

Yep, no matter how loose I make it it still sticks. I have the other three working so I'm familiar with the operation, this is just the odd one out.

 

Put the metal end in a vise and try to loosen it more. I had this happen to me when I first got mine.

 

They must have had two boxes on the assembly line - good hooks and bad hooks. As the truck passed by, they then put 3 good ones on and 1 bad one. Had the same situation. Dealer replaced bad one.

 

As I was loading the truck for the Mision Santa Maria trip, one of mine failed! How funny!

Firetech, can you explain a bit more? The metal end will turn, but it doesn't affect the spring clutch action.

 

I've had the same problem with one of mine...

The metal tab has a squarish section that keys into a matching hole in the body of the cleat that is supposed to keep it from twisting until the finger nut is untightened and then pushed into the rail. It should only mesh in one orientation or the square part binds in the plastic and you can't push it to disengage. If it becomes worn a little, it will more easily get turned.

What I do on my trouble child is engage the metal tab in the rail just a little so the narrow flange will hold the tab while I twist the cleat until the tab will move back and forth against the spring (usually about 90 degrees.) Have to make sure the finger-nut is backed off all the way first.

 

The metal peice has threads and flat sides, The threads should be perpindicular to ths assembly. If not, put the metal tab in a vise,grab the cleat ends and turn 90 degrees. This should allow the metal peice to move freely.

 

I think I may have caused the issue doing something similar, only using the rail. I guess I wasn't pushing the plunger and turned the whole assembly while in the rail, which caused the metal tab to rotate in the body. I twisted it back, but now it won't plunge.

 

I never use mine. I bought threw them away but put them up in the closet instead.

 

I have been playing with one to convert it to my UNISTRUT rails.
They come apart pretty easy.
The top of the threads are knarled up to keep them from comming apart, but you can work them enough to get it all the way out.

Worse case get a new one. They seem to be around here a lot.

 

elaborate,

are u gonna use spring nuts and create your own cleat?

 

Just adapting a set to work on my rails.

I will do some pics when I get done.
Working on my High Lift mount today.
Taking advantage of this cold snap here this weekend!

 

Thats funny I had the same thing when I put my new spark plugs in. 3 Densos and 3 others that I dont remember.

 

i hate these tie down things. i had 8 now im down to 6 of them...blah

 

off topic but i think this might be the oldest saying that i have ever heard, everybody i know, knows this