Gas Cap/Cover Hinge Misalignment - 2017

Has anyone has this issue happen? I opened the Gas Cover to put gas in it, then when I went to close the cap, it was misaligned and really hard to close and springy. I tried spraying it with lubricant, but nothing has changed. It's also rubbing on the top inside where the cap meets the body. I didn't do anything abnormal to it or anything, it just happened and I'm not sure how to fix it.

 

Looks like it bent those fairy-fragile tabs. Top one looks stretched out. I’d probably use a slat of soft flat wood to gently try to lever it back in position. These shitty doors! I hope the fourth gen’s is as shitty. Heritage.

 

Door hinge is bent; common problem, silicon spray helps. You'll need to bend it back in place or replace parts.

 

It’s a common result of neglect.

If the hinge isn’t lubricated, it rusts, binds & the misalignment happens.

 

Thank you for the thorough response! I appreciate it. Had no idea. and it just very suddenly happened out of the blue. It wasn't hard to open at all, just got all fuckity when I went to close it.

 

I put lithium grease along the pivot points after seeing other people screw theirs up and post pics here on TW. That said, I have driven a lot of cars and trucks over the years and none of them were as flimsy and delicate as the Tacoma’s. I think the one that came the closest was my ‘73 VW Super Beetle, and I think even it has a small coil spring for the piano wire attachment—it wouldn’t simply seize and fail catastrophically like our trucks.

 

Happened to my 2017 also. Tried to live with it, but the vertical pin broke, so I need a new door. I have it, just need to get the tools to install it.

 

All I see is a ton of dirt.

 

Lol yeah. I live in a mountain town in CO. Whole lotta dirt and not many car washes bud.

 

the FJ has the exact same door……no issues with it, it’s an ‘08. I line it with silicone spray every tire rotation. It’s smoooooth as butter.

It’s not a truck problem…..it’s a lack of maintenance problem.

 

I don’t disagree that its manageable with maintenance. I disagree that it’s a superior fuel door design to other vehicles that can go for years or even decades unmaintained and even abused by lubeless existence without suddenly breaking. I’m fine if you don’t agree with my outlook.

 

I see this sentiment every time the topic comes up and I’m grateful I’m not the only one that thinks it’s asinine. Greasing the fuel door hinge was not a normal maintenance item on any other vehicle I’ve owned including my first gen.
It’s something everyone would happily do if they knew it was necessary, which it shouldn’t be. I do mine only because I lurk here and have seen what happens if you dont

 

you're unaware of your own strength, be careful with your drivers door.

 

Those cap holders can cause problems.They can cause warping the door and hinges.I disconnected mine.They do make cap holders for the door.

 

I understand and can respect your point of view. Sure, it’s not the best door hinge design. But the door doesn’t go from easy to open to jammed up in the same day. I’ve worked on my own cars for 40 years. Maybe I’ve learned a thing or two from experience and take preventative measures…….I dunno

many people have complained about the square body, Chevy trucks, and the hood hinge designs. These hood hinges would bind and the hood wood buckle. The point being, the manual called out for these hinges to be lubricated, most people never did. This created the issue.