BajaNomad - Toyota Engine Mounts

Toyota Engine Mounts

TMW - 5-11-2011 at 01:19 PM

Latest issue of Off-Road magazine (July 2011) page 50 has an article that says 05 and newer Tacoma, 07 and newer FJ and 03 and newer 4Runner could have engine mount problems. They are prone to cracking and should be checked before they break and the engine drops.

I'm OK my Tacoma is a 2004.

engine mount caution

John M - 5-11-2011 at 02:16 PM

No doubt I'll be getting that issue and checking it out!

John M

Bajatripper - 5-11-2011 at 02:49 PM

Thanks for the post, TW. Although it doesn't apply to mine, I appreciate the thoughtfulness it.

wessongroup - 5-11-2011 at 03:50 PM

These folks just seem to be having a lot of problems in the past year or so....

Auto, earthquakes, tsunamis', radioactive releases, Playstation hack ... wow...

Interesting to see that the Japanese are just people too .... they make mistakes just like everyone ... their cars break just like everyone else, along with all other man made things ... which are produced...

[Edited on 5-11-2011 by wessongroup]

Time to upgrade

Ken Cooke - 5-11-2011 at 04:22 PM

Jeep vehicles have upgraded Engine motor mounts, and 1" lifted motor mounts to run in conjunction with 1" body lift kits. Maybe, this is the time to upgrade your motor mounts? I know, I would...

David K - 5-11-2011 at 04:50 PM

Oh God, seriously??? My 2001 had 136,000 miles in under 5 years, my 2005 had 102,000 miles in under 5 years, and my 2010 has 25,000 miles in 1.5 years... no engine mount issues... no engine anything issues...

I just blasted down to Baja 600 miles R/T, romped a few great dirt miles (2 other Tacomas were there, too) and am now using the truck for work daily... and you would never know I was hard on it... it just keeps working and working... no over-heating... no broken shock mounts, no trips cut short!

These trucks do not break just like everyone else's! I try and break my truck, and it refuses to break!

Sorry, but there is a WORLD of difference between a Tacoma and a ____ (insert most any other 4X4 truck make).

Satisfaction and security is what I have with my truck... :smug:

[Edited on 5-11-2011 by David K]

Ken Cooke - 5-11-2011 at 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by David Kno over-heating... no broken shock mounts, no trips cut short!

Thankfully, nobody on the Baja Grande trek didn't have overheating problems - just coolant loss (me).

The shock mount you mention was actually a bar pin used to locate the shock. This was problematic due to me shifting my Pro-Comp MX-6 shock to 'FIRM' transfering too much load to that weak part.

Trip cut short? We stayed in Baja for 7 days - Here's the proof!

Me & Javier at Coco's Corner

Bay of L.A.

13 Hours of Rocks and Hwy 1!!

WITH AIR-CONDITIONING ALL DAY!

4WD/Lo-Range on Mission Impossible Trail - mid 90s Temps!

Still in Baja! :bounce:

Todo pase bien, David! Mi Jeep es el GANADOR DE LA BAJA GRANDE!

wessongroup - 5-11-2011 at 05:13 PM

Thanks for the pic's... looking good

mtgoat666 - 5-11-2011 at 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by wessongroup
These folks just seem to be having a lot of problems in the past year or so....

Auto, earthquakes, tsunamis', radioactive releases, Playstation hack ... wow...

karma.
retribution for continuing whaling!

David K - 5-11-2011 at 05:51 PM

Ken, you know I am going to give you a ribbin' just like Neal Johns does... Marian had to change her Jeep for a Tacoma to satisfy him!

I thought you were going to El Volcan to join us, so to me, you cut the trip short passing us in Colonet the day we were driving down... and I thought I read it was because of over-heating Jeep(s)? Sorry, if I got that wrong!

I am sure you had a good time, how could you not in Baja!

[Edited on 5-12-2011 by David K]

David K - 5-11-2011 at 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mtgoat666

Quote:

Originally posted by wessongroup
These folks just seem to be having a lot of problems in the past year or so....

Auto, earthquakes, tsunamis', radioactive releases, Playstation hack ... wow...

karma.
retribution for continuing whaling!

What happened to your favorite show, Whale Wars? :lol:

It was fun to watch... :lol:

Ken Cooke - 5-11-2011 at 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
Ken, you know I am going to give you a ribbin' just like Neal Johns does... Marian had to change her Jeep for a Tacoma to satisfy him!

I thought you were going to El Volcan to join us, so to me, you cut the trip short passing us in Colonet the day we were driving down... and I thought I read it was because of over-heating Jeep(s)? Sorry, if I got that wrong!

I am sure you had a good time, how could you not in Baja!

[Edited on 5-12-2011 by David K]

I would have had to drive alone up to El Volcan.

Two = One

One = None :no:

The Jeep would have made it, but we were tired from a long day on the trail, and setting up our REI tent was exhausting to say the least. I didn't want to camp anymore, we were out of cash, and it didn't feel much like a vacation with all of the early morning wakeups, packing the Jeep, and running along the trails.

On a side note, I see on-line that rust is a common problem with the Tacomas. Are there in fact, aftermarket engine mounts to beef up this, or is it a rare occurance? Is the '05+ a weaker vehicle than the previous Tacomas and pickup trucks?

805gregg - 5-11-2011 at 07:28 PM

With what 10,000,000 recalls lately, there are bound to be other issues, you can only cut corners so far, then FAIL.

David K - 5-11-2011 at 07:32 PM

Shall I give a "how to camp and still have fun 101 class"?

Planning will get you through the full trip without needing more money or food... You take what you need when outback camping.

As long as you did what you want to do... I just like having every Baja trip be the best possible! :spingrin:

David K - 5-11-2011 at 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 805gregg
With what 10,000,000 recalls lately, there are bound to be other issues, you can only cut corners so far, then FAIL.

Not one 'failure' recall on my Tacoma... Just a recall to have my gas pedal 'sawed' shorter so I can put two or more floor mats under it and not have it stick... which I declined to have done (one floor mat is plenty for me, thank you).

bigboy - 5-11-2011 at 08:33 PM

I'm so tired of this Toyota talk. I have over 460,000 miles on my two Broncos and I'm on my original motor mounts. Big deal!

Tired BigBoy?

John M - 5-11-2011 at 08:57 PM

Hey BigBoy - if you are "SO TIRED" of all this Toyota talk why the heck did you even take the time and effort to read these postings? It was clearly a Toyota thing........

John M

bigboy - 5-12-2011 at 06:35 AM

Off Road magazine has an article about potential engine mount problems and David K fires off about how Toyota don't break! Why would the magazine give a heads up if there is no problem?

Bajatripper - 5-12-2011 at 07:20 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by bigboy
Off Road magazine has an article about potential engine mount problems and David K fires off about how Toyota don't break! Why would the magazine give a heads up if there is no problem?

Given how partial we can all be to our respective mounts, I can see your point in feeling a little irritated. Yet, as John M said, the thread was clearly marked for Toyota owners in particular, yet you chose to enter it and read all of those posts. What did you expect to find? A conflict, perhaps?

David K - 5-12-2011 at 07:23 AM

Quote:

No, I said my (three) Tacomas have had no such problems.. I will let others judge if Toyotas are not reliable based on actual Nomad experiences.

mtgoat666 - 5-12-2011 at 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K

Quote:

No, I said my (three) Tacomas have had no such problems.. I will let others judge if Toyotas are not reliable based on actual Nomad experiences.

funny how you choose to believe or disbelieve information on the basis of your feelings instead of rational analysis.

your sample of engine mount durability in 3 trucks is not statistically valid, any conclusions you draw are unsupported.

"actual nomad experiences" are not a scientific analysis, but they are at times entertaining!

wessongroup - 5-12-2011 at 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by mtgoat666

Quote:

Originally posted by wessongroup
These folks just seem to be having a lot of problems in the past year or so....

Auto, earthquakes, tsunamis', radioactive releases, Playstation hack ... wow...

karma.
retribution for continuing whaling!

me ..... waiting for Godzilla to come out of the "Japan Trench" ... at 29,500 feet deep ... sure theres one down there some place... as that is a ways ..... down...

Off Road Magazine

John M - 5-12-2011 at 02:29 PM

Well I spent the $6.51 for the July issue - ouch - it's been a long long time since I bought one of these magazines - half expecting it to still cost $2.75.

This is an interesting article to be sure. The story tells of what the writer (and repair guru in this instance) relates as a not uncommon problem with the factory location and strength of the mounts. The fix is a custom gussett tying the existing mount to the side and bottom of the frame.

I decided to give the shop doing the article a call to see how much this fix would cost. I won't tell their price but suffice it to say it ain't cheap, especially on a 4x4 as the repair requires removal of the steering shaft among other components.

This post by TW certainly ought to have us crawling under the truck to look for obvious and not so obvious cracks in the frame directly below the factory welds.

Thanks again TW

John M

Motor mount photo

John M - 5-12-2011 at 03:02 PM

So as not to infringe on any copyright issue of images in Off Road magazine, I took a photo of my own Toyota motor mount area in question. Of course I inspected both sides and see no evidence of damage.

This image of my right side motor mount where it meets the frame can clearly be inspected. Left side not so easily viewed with my skid plate in place.

John M

[Edited on 5-12-2011 by John M]

Jack Swords - 5-12-2011 at 03:49 PM

Thanks TW and John M. I tried to find if Toyota has a TSB out for this problem, but found nothing. Since I have a 07 Tacoma and 2010 4Runner, both used offroad, I'll keep looking. I suspect a TSB will follow the publication of the problem. Meanwhile I'll be spending a little time under both vehicles. Keep us posted.

David K - 5-12-2011 at 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mtgoat666

Quote:

Originally posted by David K

Quote:

No, I said my (three) Tacomas have had no such problems.. I will let others judge if Toyotas are not reliable based on actual Nomad experiences.

I know facts aren't your favorite source for posting here... but it was facts and observation I use... and not FEELINGS as you said in error.

I just did some research... The engine mount cracks that some have had happen were on 2005 and 2006 model Tacomas. Their frames with the weak mounts were made in America by the American company DANA CORP. The problem was fixed with a better mount in 2007 and newer Tacomas.

So, the problem was not with anything Jananese made... and it is too bad that our trucks aren't 100% Japanese!

TW (and others wondering if their '05 or '06 has a weak engine mount or the better one...

Here is the original (driver's side) that has cracked:

Here is the improved mount:

The above photos and 3 years of posts on this, are from TacomaWorld.com, here: http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/21849-05-mo...

wessongroup - 5-12-2011 at 05:03 PM

Some good information and great photo's... think the word "could" was used ... not "do" ... and to be fair to DANA

Company Overview & Quick Facts

Dana Holding Corporation began during the formative years of the motor vehicle industry itself. In fact, the company’s first product – the Spicer encased universal joint – pushed the idea of the horseless carriage forward by replacing the crude means of transmitting engine power to the wheels through two sprockets and a chain.
Likewise, the inventors and entrepreneurs behind Spicer® axles and transmissions, Victor Reinz® gaskets, and Long® radiators were industry pioneers themselves.
More than a century later, Dana still leads in developing and supplying automakers – on a global basis today – with a broad portfolio of driveline, sealing, and thermal-management technologies. From the corner of a printing press company in Plainfield, New Jersey, where u-joints were first made by engineering student-turned-business owner Clarence Spicer and three new hires in 1904, the company today employs 22,500 in more than 90 facilities, including 14 technical centers, in 26 countries.
The Maumee, Ohio-based company reported 2010 sales of $6.1 billion. Its array of products and its global operational footprint translate into a healthy business diversity that benefits shareholders and customers alike. By market, revenues in 2010 were derived as follows:
• 59 percent from the light vehicle market, with key customers including
Ford (19 percent), Toyota, General Motors, Chrysler, Hyundai, and Nissan;
• 22 percent from the medium- and heavy-duty vehicle market
(Class 5-8 on-highway trucks, buses, motor coaches, etc.), where major customers
include PACCAR, Navistar, Daimler, and Volvo; and
• 19 percent from the off-highway sectors, including agricultural, construction,
material handling, and mining equipment. Key customers are Deere, Caterpillar,
AGCO, and Case New Holland.
Dana’s 2010 revenues, by region, were:
• 48 percent in North America;
• 26 percent in Europe;
• 14 percent in South America; and
• 12 percent in Asia-Pacific.
Dana’s key products are as follows:
• Spicer® axles – front and rear axles, differentials, torque couplings,
and modular assemblies;
• Spicer® driveshafts – Cardan universal joints, flexible couplings,
center bearings, end fittings, and driveshafts;
• Spicer® tire management products – central tire inflation, tire pressure control,
and tire pressure monitoring products;
• Spicer® transmissions – transfer cases, hydrostatic and
powershift transmissions, torque converters, and electronic controls for
off-highway vehicles;
• Victor Reinz® sealing products – cylinder-head gaskets and cover modules,
thermal-acoustical protective shielding, valve stem seals,
and fuel-cell components; and
• Long® thermal products - heat-exchange and thermal-bypass technologies
for engine, transmission, and fluid applications, and fuel-cell components.

David K - 5-12-2011 at 05:08 PM

Dana is a great company, my comments were for those who are quick to put a bad light on an excellent car company because of their political idiology! :light:

The mistake or weak mount was Dana's doing... and it was solved within two years... My 2005 never had any motor mount problems, that I was aware of.

wessongroup - 5-12-2011 at 05:21 PM

Thanks.. DK .. was only adding a lost pice of information... "could" .. the other .. well what ya gonna do... got too many folks here that know too much to be swayed by BS...

And thanks again as ... I didn't know anything about DANA ... it's some company.. "Global"...

So one can't rule out, that the "part" was actually made in another county and "supplied" to DANA ...

And agree that they "fixed" the problem and that is bottom line... which is good

If it ain't broke don't fix it.... nothing wrong there...

Many more care free miles as it makes for a much better trip ... doesn't it...

Have been lucky in all my days of vacation travels ... never had a thing go wrong, not even a flat tire, lost wallet et al .... some others, well I've seen them along side the road in everything from Mercedes to Ford..

Problems when working is a whole different story... three totals to start with... which I walked away from ... only scratches in all my auto wrecks... bikes different story..

TMW - 5-12-2011 at 05:30 PM

I post these advisory type things to help other Nomads. I have done them on Ford, Dodge and Toyotas and maybe others. I get several auto related magazines and if something pops up that can help someone I'll post it. It is not to put down or show up any particular company as they all can have a problem that needs fixed.

805gregg - 5-12-2011 at 06:01 PM

Problem solved, crappy welds to a frame that is really thin. It's going to flex and FAIL. I smell another recall. But now that they can't get parts to build, it will cure itself. Plus the Koreans, that for good reason hate the Japanese, are making better and better vehicles at more reasonable prices, look for Korea to fill the gap. I wish Hyundai would build a truck, they build the largest ships in the world, surely a truck would be a piece of cake, heak, even Toyota can do it.

[Edited on 5-13-2011 by 805gregg]

[Edited on 5-13-2011 by 805gregg]

BAJACAT - 5-12-2011 at 06:02 PM

Well my truck it's not Toyota, and I haven't had any problems on the road.All the repairs that i have done in my truck are related to the lift sistem that I had install, nothing to do with OEM parts. For example if DK would off add a3 inch lift kid on his Toyota, then it will be a diferent story.
If I remember the past years whe heard stories of broken trucks in Baja and they where ither Toyotas or Fords and a few Jeeps.
The last one that I recall, is Baja Amigo Suburban that broke down in BOLA.I think we are all happy with the brand or make of our choise, I will sware over my DODGE, just like Ken will do the same over his Jeep,also DK or TW will stand by their TOYOTAS.
BAJA is big enough for all brands and makes.... so lets not get carry away...

Hook - 5-12-2011 at 06:04 PM

Thank you for reporting this and other problems, Tom.

bigboy - 5-12-2011 at 06:22 PM

It wasn't Dana problem. The frame was designed by Toyota and the specifications were given to Dana for assembly of the frame.

David K - 5-12-2011 at 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bigboy
It wasn't Dana problem. The frame was designed by Toyota and the specifications were given to Dana for assembly of the frame.

Probably true... but the work and materials were DANA's and either the work or material failed... If Dana thought the Toyota spec was flawed, they wouldn't build it knowing it would fail... right?

Anyway, spilled milk or dead horse... the problem was solved 5 years ago!

bigboy - 5-13-2011 at 12:07 AM

The new mounts look very strong.

monoloco - 5-13-2011 at 01:23 PM

Not trying to stir up any controversy but I have 3 friends who have experienced broken leaf springs on late model Tacomas.

TMW - 5-13-2011 at 01:40 PM

Could it be they over loaded the truck? The 05 and newer Tacoma I think has a bed limit of 1500lbs and the max gross weight probably doesn't allow much more than that on the rear suspension.

monoloco - 5-13-2011 at 03:17 PM

Knowing the people, I don't think it was an overload issue. The part was not available in Mexico, and the dealership in Cali charged her over $600 for the part. (no shipping)

David K - 5-13-2011 at 03:43 PM

Again, there are so many Tacoma drivers on Baja Nomad... and you just don't hear of problems from them. I am on my third Tacoma, and I am hard on my trucks in Baja and also used for my outdoor landscape irrigation business daily. Nothing is perfect, but given the abuse or hard work, these trucks do pretty darn good...

The truck has a full bumper to bumper 3 year/ 36,000 miles warantee and a drivetrain warantee of 60,000 miles. Needing it is pretty rare for most people... but there are some who sadly get a lemon... But, if that was common, Toyota could't be the #1 world auto maker for very long... right?

Heck, the U.S. government tried to destroy Toyota last year with the totally fabricated 'unexpected acceleration defect'... all to help sales of their own car company, GM.

Didn't work, did it?

TMW - 5-13-2011 at 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by monoloco
Knowing the people, I don't think it was an overload issue. The part was not available in Mexico, and the dealership in Cali charged her over $600 for the part. (no shipping)

She got ripped off. ORW in San Diego will replace a leaf spring for about $100 and that includes the spring. Add a leaf springs for a Tacoma are only $40 for two, I just bought a set for my 2004.

woody with a view - 5-13-2011 at 05:54 PM

FWIW, today i just added an ATF cooler, in series with the one that came with my tow package, and a Magnafine filter. i'm tired of my ScanGaugeII telling me my ATF temps are pushing 225 degrees (infrequently, but it happens!)in the middle of baja, even in winter. that is while towing a pop up trailer and the kitchen sink.....

sorry for the 'jack.

Second cooler & filter

John M - 5-13-2011 at 07:33 PM

Woody - could you post or u2u me with details?

I asked my trans shop about a trans temp gauge and he didn't think it was warranted. I do not have a scangauge so do not know trans temps. This past year i seemed to get it a bit hot and smelly in some really soft sand we drove for 6 or so miles - dummy me didn't drop air pressure enough so had to put more power to the trans than I would have liked. I also tow a trailer from time to time.

John M

monoloco - 5-14-2011 at 02:23 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by TW

Quote:

She got ripped off. ORW in San Diego will replace a leaf spring for about $100 and that includes the spring. Add a leaf springs for a Tacoma are only $40 for two, I just bought a set for my 2004.

That's what I said, she could have had a set of Deavers for less than that.

woody with a view - 5-14-2011 at 06:29 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by John M
Woody - could you post or u2u me with details?

I asked my trans shop about a trans temp gauge and he didn't think it was warranted. I do not have a scangauge so do not know trans temps. This past year i seemed to get it a bit hot and smelly in some really soft sand we drove for 6 or so miles - dummy me didn't drop air pressure enough so had to put more power to the trans than I would have liked. I also tow a trailer from time to time.

John M

to not clutter up this thread:

http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=52915

805gregg - 5-16-2011 at 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by woody with a view
FWIW, today i just added an ATF cooler, in series with the one that came with my tow package, and a Magnafine filter. i'm tired of my ScanGaugeII telling me my ATF temps are pushing 225 degrees (infrequently, but it happens!)in the middle of baja, even in winter. that is while towing a pop up trailer and the kitchen sink.....

sorry for the 'jack. [/quote

Woody, that's too hot, maybe see if Mag Hi tec makes a larger trans oil pan for your engine. I put one on my Dodge 3500 and even towing my 10,000 lb boat up hills my trans never gets above about 180 degrees. My trans guys say it should not get hotter than the engine coolant.Maybe change your trans fluid.

Curt63 - 5-16-2011 at 07:21 PM

As you look for a high capacity Trans. pan, consider your ground clearance. Some models stick way further down and you could possibly puncture it on a rocky trail.