How to punch a hole through a rusted frame?

So I took my Tacoma in to get the frame looked at before the warranty expired. They said it looks good except for one spot. They said that there’s nothing they can do, but heavily implied and outright told me that I need to cause a hole in the spot and they would replace the frame. I have until July to do this. I’m thinking a screw driver and a hammer to chip through to the other side? Pic related is the spot. What do you guys think?

 

Drill bit and a drill?

 

I would be scared the guy that told me that wouldn’t be there in July.

 

hammer and a screwdriver or a punch. Or just wait, it'll get there eventually.

 

Yeah I had that feeling as well. It was one of the head people in the service department, so I’m not too concerned.

 

You just can't make it obvious like a drilled through hole. If you punch it through with a hammer, just spray some salt water on it for a couple weeks and you'll be good to go.
Trust me, if you can hit through your frame with a hammer or screwdriver it's completely done for anyway.

 

No drilling, no air hammer, no angle grinder. Also, discussing it on the internet is risky. (hint hint)
When I had my '99 inspected, they had another truck sitting there where the owner had tried to falsify his frame corrosion and Toyota had denied it and flagged his VIN. So he was out the 150% payout, and his truck had a hole in the frame.

Edit- the shop manager didn't go into detail, but from my understanding the guy actually had a decent frame, but wanted the payout. So he had ground the steel thin, then salted it to build up a rust layer, and then punched a hole in it with a hammer & brought it in to get inspected.

 

dead blow hammer would be ideal...

 

If this is the worst rust on your frame just let it be. Remember frame replacement is very invasive - basically Bob the mechanic disassembling your truck and putting it back together again. All it takes is one bent wiring connector pin out of the 200 that get unplugged for you to suffer electrical gremlins for the remainder of the truck's life. You may also end up with a $2000-3000 bill of "collateral damage" parts too rusted to survive removal, yet not covered by Toyota.

 

Yeah thst guys sounds like a scumbag. If I had a decent frame I wouldn’t be concerned. I’m just doing what the dealership told me!! They know that eventually the truck will need a new frame and they want to be able to help me before it comes out of my pocket.

 

Round end of a ball peen.

It will bust before it dents, and busted is the look you want.

 

Hmmm I hadn’t considered this. Do you think I should just let it be? And see how it is in a few months?

 

I've honestly wondered why we haven't gotten this question on here before (that I've seen).

I don't see anything wrong with doing it, at the rate your frame is going now it will likely fail on it's own soon anyway. And if it happens right after the deadline your SOL

Like another poster said, if you're able to punch through with a hammer anyway (even if you go at it hard), then it needed to be replaced no matter what Toyota told you.

edit - and I agree with the others, do not use a drill or anything like that. Use a ball peen hammer, same thing Toyota would use to do it. Just maybe give it a little more oomph than they do.

 

Lysol Toilet Bowl cleaner is 12% hydrochloric acid.

 

I get that, but they have to send pictures to Toyota corporate when they authorize these. And if it looks like you were giving the corrosion some 'mechanical assistance' then Toyota will deny the claim. Just trying to make sure you don't help it along too enthusiastically.

 

10mm socket & a BFH. Anythin’ else voids warranty.

 

If it is close I good push with your thumb wearing a glove your good to go.

Don`t wait get it in and scheduled ASAP.

 

Pics are deceptive but from a lifer in the rust belt It doesn’t even look bad.

Nothing in the area pictured looks like you can punch thru it with a hammer or screwdriver to me but I’m an internet opinion. If the dealer and you have an unspoken agreement to get you a new frame I’d take advantage.

 

Where I'm from, people cut off cab mounts and plate over the area to fit larger tires, so to me some arbitary rule of 10mm hole is laughable. I drilled several 13mm holes in my frame to bolt in rock sliders when my truck was just 4 months old.

But don't worry, 70% of the time a frame replacement goes smoothly without problems.

 

I gotta say, that doesnt look nearly bad enough to be able to hammer through. Youre just going to wind up with a couple of small dings and an afternoon of frustration.


Wire brush it and give it a good undercoat.