If you removed the air dam but reinstalled the screws...

[Hacksaw]

I see this air dam coming loose is an official issue now. I removed mine a while ago, but I reinstalled the screws. Might the screws still come loose and drop out just from driving vibration, or do they only come loose due to the force of the air on the air dam? Just wondering if I need to check mine periodically, or maybe put a dab of silicone sealant on the edge of each screw so it can't loosen?

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[toyoda80]

I put mine back in without any additions and theyre still there so far. (1 month)

 

[odins_beer'd]

I see this air dam coming loose is an official issue now. I removed mine a while ago, but I reinstalled the screws. Might the screws still come loose and drop out just from driving vibration, or do they only come loose due to the force of the air on the air dam? Just wondering if I need to check mine periodically, or maybe put a dab of silicone sealant on the edge of each screw so it can't loosen?

I've had mine removed for 4+ months and not an issue. Feel firm.

 

[TN4R]

I put mine back in, but your thread reminded me to check them. I know one was already missing when I removed the air dam.

 

[AmericanGI]

Yeah, I have 4 screws missing and just removed the air dam.

 

[Shawn_1121]

removed mine and didn't put the screws back.

 

[Lrpendant]

I suggest Loctite 222 on the threads vs silicone. It will hold the screws in place and won't gum up the threads like silicone.

 

[Hacksaw]

I forget, but I think the mounting screws were sheet metal screws (9 of them, all the same screw?), and some of them just held by thread friction into a plastic panel and others used a clip nut. Anyone have a better or different recollection?

On the dab of silicone, I was just going to put a dab of silicone on the side of the screw head and overlap it onto the mating surface. Does Loctite work on a clipnut that only captures 1-2 threads?

 

[Lrpendant]

Thanks for the info. I haven’t pulled mine yet. I researched clip nuts and Loctite and they recommended their Threadlocker Blue 242 product.

 

[Hacksaw]

Thanks for the info. I haven’t pulled mine yet. I researched clip nuts and Loctite and they recommended their Threadlocker Blue 242 product.

Thanks for looking that up.

PS, I used a socket (10mm if I recall) to remove the screws, but if you want to use a screw driver, since the 4runner and all its parts are made in Japan, it probably requires a JIS driver not a Phillips screw driver (a JIS driver will remove/tighten a phillips head screw but a phillips driver will not generally be able to fully tighten a screw with a JIS head; it will cam out or slip off under torque)

FYI, short video on JIS vs Phillips in case you weren't aware.


And here's a cheap way to have a #1,#2,#3 JIS bit handy ($10 for a 6 pack of bits with 1/4" hex drive) if you don't have any: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DKD98MVN

 

[Water1234]

They know about this issue but refuse to admit it or cover warranty claims at dealerships. 6g owners should write in to Toyota and voice complaints and concerns, it’s easy and only takes a few minutes. They need to own this dangerous warranty / recall issue before someone gets hurt or killed. https://support.toyota.com/s/questions-comments?language=en_US

 

[4RunnerTony]

I have only 1,500 miles on my 1 1/2 month old 4Runner. I checked my air dam the other day and found 1 screw missing and one more hanging and ready to fall out. Both on the drivers side. Went to my dealer who said that they were not having any issues with this but would still correct mine at no charge. They put in a new screw and torqued all the others. This needs to be addressed by Toyota and every dealer should be checking this on every service appointment.

 

[828findadventure]

I removed the air dam and reinstalled the screws 1000 miles ago and they are all still there.

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