TRD Pro Skidplate - Alignment

Took my truck in for an alignment (recently installed TRD Pro skidplate). They want to charge me extra to remove it because they say they can’t access the alignment bolts with it on. Doesn’t seem that bad for access to me.

Anyone else experience this? Is it bs?

 

How much extra? The skidplate is 6 bolts...takes about 2 minutes to remove.

 

Yeah, it's just 6 bolts. Honestly, you probably could have removed it in the time you spent typing this post. I wouldn't pay them extra to remove it.

 

But that would not be near as much fun as complaining to a bunch of internet strangers.

OP: just busting your balls a little! You cannot expect the dealer to do extra work for free. It maybe more than the work is worth, but that's dealerships for you. They will squeeze as much out of you as you can stand.

 

you can take a grinder and trim the plate to allow better access.

 

I'm calling b.s.
That's part of their job.

If you get your brakes worked on would they charge extra for removing the tire?

 

I did that. I'd rather have the weight there for the alignment, but with access blocked and the risk of stripping or breaking the welded nuts, it just makes more sense to pull it before heading in.

 

Would the stock OR “Splash shield” need removal?

And is this a Toyota Dealership?


Just curious.

 

I do not believe those blocked access to the cam bolts. They need to get a wrench and ratchet on them at the same time. Take a peek.

 

Will do. I’m due for an alignment and if it’s a hindrance, I’m gonna remove it in advance. Maybe the tech might appreciate it!

lol

 

Haha!

There have been posts about folks finding stripped fasteners on these also. Best to eliminate the risk.

The Pro skid covers up more stuff, which is where the main issue is.

 

I’ve already got one Riv nut in there as it is. Just had it off last weekend for 30k service, all smooth now. Titanium fasteners and thread sealant. Not that I’m OCD or anything. Lmao

 

Oh man. That stinks, but thread sealant is great.

In that case, I'd pull it before taking it in. You're gonna be more careful than any shop. I also like when I break things on my own. I know who to blame and know that I didn't pay someone else to screw my stuff up.

 

+1 to pull it yourself before driving it in. Do it in the parking lot before service if you're worried about debris hitting your lines/radiator on the way to the dealer. It's not difficult to remove, but it takes some effort to get all the holes lined up when putting it back on. I had to drill out, tap, and install threaded inserts after a local dealer's "tech" ran non-factory bolts with the wrong thread pitch in DIAGONALLY when they reinstalled a TRD Pro Skid after an alignment. I had just installed a lift for a customer on the vehicle, so I was on the hook to return it to them in the same condition as I received it. Toyota did nothing for me to compensate for having to fix the damage.

 

The skid is designed specifically to protect the alignment hardware from taking hits offroad. Trimming it would be absolutely nonsensical.

You'll notice that cheaper skids are not designed to protect that hardware and it's a major drawback from my perspective.

 

Really good to know. Thx

 

It's a little tough to see but if you zoom in on my pic here you can see where the TRD Pro skid has taken a bunch of hits right on the corners where it protects the cam tabs.

 

I'm not sure 'cheaper' is the right word?

Maybe some skids are designed that way so you DON'T have to take it off for alignments.
I wouldn't want to take my heavy steel skid off every time.

 

Just how often are you getting alignments? Sounds like maybe you could use some upgraded alignment hardware.

 

Take it somewhere else - if they can't remove that without added cost as part of the job, I wouldn't want them working on my truck.