Trouble removing rack

I have taco 2002 that developed leak of power steering nature. Unable to remove skid plate I went to a recommended mechanic. He said rack needed replace. Well his price was too high, so I took it back, only to find the skid plate was removed and he said it didn't have one on when I dropped it off. Anyway the reason I couldn't remove skid plate was one of the four bolts was seized I couldn't budge it. I needed the truck so I took it elsewhere, seems that every connection had a tough bolt. Does anyone else have knowledge of this problem? I am wondering if a dealership would weld a bolt when the frame was replaced after the recall a few years back? To remove the rack the frame needs to be cut. Anyone else have trouble replacing rack?

 

Some thing for sure does not sound correct .

After the comment about not having had the bottom shield when it was dropped off.

Sounds like your being taken advantage of.

Someone looking to make big $$$ to fix a minor leak

Can you take some pictures??

I doubt the dealer would weld something that was not supposed to be welded.

Then you never know

 

im confused. You had a seized bolt on the skid plate, now skid plate is off and missing, so no more seized bolt problems. How do you know that the frame needs welding and that you can't get the rack off?

 

This has been a nightmare! The truck has 243,000 miles on it. The rack actually rusted at the mount needed to be replaced. I had trouble with bolts on skid plate just one. I felt intimidated took it to guy who diagnosed it. He had to remove the skid plate to see where my leak was, he quoted me a price that was too high, for the truck, but I love that truck, I call it deer slayer as it has so many dents and dings from deer, but I feel still good truck. He insisted skid plate wasn't on it when he got it even had someone in his shop attest to it, but I know it was there. That cost $50 and skid plate. So I thought I'd try replacing rack myself, then it occurred to me that if I couldn't remove the skid plate maybe that wasn't a good plan. I then asked friend mechanic if he could help me out. Well he had a lot of troubles with it. When he said welded maybe he didn't actually mean welded, it took four hours to remove the rack, he encountered bolts that broke and or were rusted. This friend has Been mechanic for about 40 yrs., said it was most difficult truck he had encountered in his mechanic life. I do feel that I have been taken advantage of by mechanics and I try to do stuff on my own but often times that is impossible, who can you trust? Taking advantage of friends isn't where I want to be, I might loose them.

 

you also mentioned something about frame being replaced?

also like @Wyoming09 said grab some pics of the situation so we can see what's going on.

buy two cans of PBlaster or WD Rust Relase and spray all the bolts twice a day until you run out. then try to take it off.

I believe only the TRD had two skid plates? the front seems to be on most 4wd but the trans one maybe not. can't be certain.

 

So where do you stand with the truck now??

Depending just how far south you are your 3 or 4 hours away

I would be glad to help if I can.

I will say the liquid brine they use is brutal on these trucks

 

I am greatful for your offer. It is too late for pics

 

Ops hit post button by mistake. There was a recall concerning frame a few years back so Toyota replaced the frame. A rust issue. My truck is a TRD it had two skid plates one the back one covered the first cat and fastened behind the rack. So what can you do about the brine? Rinse off truck daily, I guess? I live on a dirt road that often is missed by plow trucks. So my friend still has my truck, hopefully he will finish it up this weekend. If I have more problems I might take you up on your offer, as I am afraid my friend won't want to see that truck again. I do not know where Tripoli Pa is but I am in Monmouth/Ocean county area. A person who knows Tacoma trucks are more knowledgable about the ins and outs of their make up.

 

New Tripoli is in the Allentown Pa area

About 2 hours from Newark in the wee hours I would say about 3 from Lakewood but being the way people drive who can really say..

Good Luck I hope this works out .

 

FYI - My ''02 Tacoma SR5 Ext . Cab ( non TRD) has TWO Skid plates stock .Good Luck on your repairs

 

also FYI my 04 prerunner has two skid plates

I am pretty sure all trucks had two skid plates but many rear plates are never put back on after they get removed and it makes sense since they really serve no purpose or protection at all so why have them. the front one protects the bottom of the radiator but the rear one is pointless