TRD Sport Skid Plate: Does this look normal to you?

I've had some rubbing with my new tires, but only at full lock.
3 inch lift running Goodyear Wrangler MT/R with Kevlar 275/75/R17s.
Had minimal rubbing on the UCAs only. AHd them on since NOV11.
Now I see more rubbing...

Anyway, today I get this horrible jerking clunking noise. Its my tires rubbing on the passenger side part of the TRD Sport skid plate. Looks bent down to me. I pushed it up a bit.

Pics show Passenger side, then Driver's side for comparison. Hopefully, my deal for the Spidertrax goes through soon. Otherwise, I may take it off until then. Its just the 4 bolts right?

Any recommendations on a nice aftermarket skid plate? Especially one that doesn't cost and arm and a leg?

 

In the second picture, you can see the dark area on the skid. I rubbed it with my fingers, it looks like a seam from a bend, although not rippled or flaking off.

 

Can you bend it up?

 

yeah it looks like that part got bent down. Do you get your oil changed someplace? Those corners arent very strong and if someone takes plate off and sets it down wrong it'll bend out. You should be able to bend it back pretty easy with just your hand.
I cant remember if there are 5 or 6 12mm bolts holding skid plate on. I believe there is one in the middle towards back of truck, 2 on each side just a little more towards front than the middle one, and 2 or 3 in the front of it.

 

Actually, my tires did that. May have gotten bent a little earlier some other way, but not sure. My Wranglers have kevlar in them and the side nubs were grabbing it hard.

 

Honestly, I'd sell it and pick up a real one. ATO has a group buy going on now.

 

Why would someone take off the skid to change the oil? Theres an access cut out for the drain plug. Unless its a four banger and the filter is on the bottom. I'm not sure on the four bangers or if the op has one. I'm on my phone so I can't see that info

 

I'm a V6, so no. Its weird because on the driver's side, the skid is about 2 inches from the tires at full lock, but on the passenger's side, it was close enough to grab it. May have been from some flex when off road, bent it, and I've made it worse.

 

the same thing happened to me and i just took it off, beat it back with a sledge hammer and bolted it back on. I haven't had a problem since i bought my spidertrax spacers (1.25 inch) im running a 3 inch lift and 285/75/r16 km2's

 

Taking off, just the 5 bolts on the front?

 

what he said^^

 

i believe i only had four bolts but i also have the toyota add on aluminum skid

 

This. It's not like that skid "plate" is doing anything under there. You can fold it in half by hand.

Getcha some beef!

 

Then there is no reason for the skid to have been removed for routine work. But its just a metal plate... Take it off and persuade it to match the drivers side with a BFH.

 

Anyone got an impact wrench? Its not playing nice.
I'll beat on it tomorrow. I'll look into a new tougher skid.

 

a ratchet did good for me good luck with getting it off and beating it back into place!

 

There is a Relentless Fab group buy coming up for skids soon. On top of the ATO one that was already mentioned.

 

Couldn't get it off, so I bent it up as far as I could. Well, after 1 mile into work, its bent down again. Can't turn left. I've got to get this thing off.

 

Grinder and a a cutting wheel..... That'll bring that bitch off!

 

Maybe try PB Blaster... Sounds like the bolts are rusted in. Then hit it with an impact wrench. That or use a breaker bar and a cheater bar. Problem with the grinder option is that you need to get the bolts out somehow or you wont be able to mount any skid that uses factory holes. Same goes for what I suggested, if the bolt heads shear off all you can do is drill out whats left. But at least the skid would be off.