'05 Motor Mounts Failed/Failing

Took a spin past the dealers lot yesterday and noticed my Tacoma was no longer parked in the lot. A peek through the windows in the bay doors revealed:







I think the next 2 weeks are going to be interesting...

 

As a rule, I won't buy version 1.0 of a new generation vehicle, because this sort of thing happens all the time. Computer models are no substitute for real world conditions. Early adopters become the beta testers for engineers. The 6-speed manual is the same way .. Toyota quietly beefed up the syncros and shift forks starting in 07.

Problem is we're not talking about a smartphone or computer that just needs a firmware flash. These are very expensive repairs & Toyota should be held accountable for such failures. Frankly I think every car should come with a mandatory 10 year / 100k mile warranty against engineering failures .. which this is. And if it happened to my truck, and Toyota refused to listen, I would howl about it to every consumer complaint site out there.

 

Looked under the truck, frame broken under the mount, will post pics asap.

 

My truck was on the rack yesterday getting a wheel alignment, supposed to pick her up this morning.

 

Glad you received the same level of satisfaction from Toyota that I did. A great Xmas gift for sure!

 

Update:

Still driving the Ford Supercrew. Still some issues with my truck that they have to sort out this week.

 

Still driving the Ford Supercrew...

Dealer had an issue with the ABS once the truck was reassembled on it's new frame, it seems the problems have been sorted.

At the moment, the cruise doesn't work nor does the rear diff lock engage. Dealer has been great thus far on my behalf when dealing with Corporate. Its been a really big job with some complications.

For anyone with a 2005 - 2006, purchase an engine mount reinforcement kit and get it installed regardless if you off road or not.

The second easiest solution would be to reinforce the broken mount once it punches through. Same solution as above but now allot more complicated and expensive because the frame has already been punched through.

The least desirable solution would be a frame swap, trust me...

 

Got my Tacoma back from the dealer last Friday (January 20, 2012) with the new frame installed. During the first test drive I performed, I noticed the Rear locker wouldn't engage nor would the cruise control. I admit the dealer was very accommodating and replaced both the rear diff actuator as well as the spiral cable - now both the locker and cruise work as normal.

Last weekend I spent allot of time underneath the truck in my FIL shop (had a lift ) inspecting everything. A few wires had to be tucked away here and there, a marker light plugged in, and a few other small issues I took care of myself. New pads and rotors on the front were a must as well as a good caliper cleaning / lubrication. Inspected and adjusted the rear drums, etc.

One issue I did find the hard way was the dealer neglected to attach the front diff breather line to the front diff - so after a 2 hour commute on the highway I arrived to find gear air spewed all over the front end. Not really a big deal I guess. Cleaned everything back up and installed the breather line.

Overall I'm surprised how well everything turned out. Hopefully one year down the road I will be equally satisfied and no further issues arise from a total tear down of the truck. My maintenance will obviously have to be a little more detailed in the future, checking the torque on various fasteners and other components.

The dealer estimated the total cost of the frame replacement including labor, parts, and a 124 day rental vehicle at approximately $24,00 - $25,000. I gave Toyota the option of a repair at a frame shop that would have set them back maybe $3,000 - $4,000 but it was denied. I don't understand why Toyota replace some frames under warranty and leave others out in the cold to fend for themselves. I suspect the local dealership has allot of influence in their decision.

The end result...

 

Where can you get the reinforcement kit? Wondering what the cost is and to have it installed.

 

I'm sure you could contact either for a quote:

http://www.solomotorsports.com/index.php/prod/prodtoy

http://www.definedengineering.com/

 

Is that a crack above the new gussets that didn't get welded up? Last pic. btw...$250 is alot cheaper than what it would cost if that went un attended. That's a real world fab price, he has supplies to pay for and bills just like we all do. He didn't just weld stuff up, and upside down and in a tight area at that, he also made plates and gussets and dealt with that firey nightmare right above his head. I'm sure you just payed more than that for your cell phone and TV this month, and last month, and next month, and the one after that, and so on. What's that add up at the end of the year?

 

So my driver side engine mount buckled into the frame. I called toyota dealers and corporate they wont do Jack! Something about a Trd off-road does not belong on anything except pavement. So my Question to all is should I pull the engine mount from the cavity, reinforce the frame then weld the mount back on? Or do what colvilletacoma with the right angle hold?

 

File complain with NHTSA its a safety issue, another complain with Attorney general and BBB. This is design flaw Ask Toyota to replay in writing. If you have to pay some attorney fees to write you up official letter to Toyota.

 

http://www.off-roadweb.com/tech/1107or_dmz_cure_fixing_broken_toyota_truck_motor_mounts/index.html

There is a kit made for reinforcing these now. If it happens to me, I'd have the mount pulled out to where it belongs, welded as best as possible, then have this kit put in.

 

I think ColvilleTacoma was being sarcastic when he said $250 was outrageous. Clearly it is probably the best deal on the planet for that kind of work in that kind of tight space. This is an old post, and I remember when he made it. I think he was just really happy to get his truck fixed at a price he could afford, at a time when everyone was still going "holy shit, how are we going to deal with this problem?"

 

Get it back in place and weld it. Purchase the aforementioned kit and gusset the perch. Cheapest and best fix out there IMHO.

 

subscribed.

 

Thanks for all the details and updates. Subscribed, and checking mine.

 

Wow. Now I'm paranoid. My whole desire to drive my truck "until the wheels fall off" may now change to "until the engine falls through." Is this something ALL '05 & '06 owners should fear? Is a weld-in frame brace kit a must?

 

The 05-early 07 frames, as well as the 03-09 4Runners, and the 07-09ish FJ Cruiser all have the same weak design. The early 05 Tacomas also had a problem with the welds on the already weak design. The combination of the poorly engineered mount and the poor welds make the early production 05 the worst.

I have seen posts from guys with 06 model Tacomas who have broken the mounts, I've also seen a few stories of 4Runners and FJs doing this. They all seem to be trucks that were railed on pretty hard.

I feel like my 06 isn't going to be a problem unless I start to seriously wheel it. I don't plan on that, so I am doing nothing until there is an issue.