uberdog

I pretty much hate the FU@#$% bug deflector that came with my '03 Runner. I have had to replace the crappy little rubber plug bolt on one side of the hood a few months ago and then needed to do the same thing on the opposite side today.

While trying to pry the rubber bolt "thingy" out of the hole in the hood, it pops back in and 'tink', 'tink', 'tink' rolls all the way back toward the windshield inside the enclosed section of hood. Sweet! No way to get the thing out of there from what I can tell and now I'm bound to hear it rattling around for the life of the truck.

Any ideas or solutions greatly appreciated. To those thinking of a getting the Toyota hood protector: Save your $$.

UD

rimpainter.com

That is covered under warranty. I say let the dealer "deal" with it.

FirstToy

You could try to pull it out with a magnet.

kaneman23

Remove the hood and turn it up side down.. Or drive down a super steep grade and hope that it falls out..

rimpainter.com

I think he is talking about a plastic rivet.

uberdog

I think the bolt is made of brass with a rubber jacket, so a magnet will not attract it. I think it's pretty much in there for the life of the truck, unless I replace the hood.

Stupid situation.

rimpainter.com

Does it rattle?

uberdog

I have not driven the truck since it happened so not sure it will rattle. I'm hoping it won't but who knows.

I had something somewhat similar happen with a truck years back when removing a stereo head unit. Lost a bolt into the dash and the damn thing rattled around until the day I sold the truck. Of course that was a K5 Blazer so it was usually hard to hear over all the other noises that beast made.

Sil23

Same thing happened to me but I haven't heard any rattling..I think somehow it fell out..I have the same toyota deflector..

The Dutch Man

Same thing for me too. Lost one side into the truck hood. No rattling. It think the rubber around the brass end is saving us. What did your replace the rubber gromits with? I used a plastic plug, very similar to that which goes in your wall and you then screw into. The type I used was a flexible kind, which expands to a T when you screw into it. I bought some extra incase I need some for the other side. It's worked since this past Spring. I've heard others here say they used a bolt tied to a string and fished it into the back side of the hood. Those aren't going anywhere anytime soon!

Tacoma Dude

Hmmm...
my dad was looking into that for his new Sport.

I have one on my truck and he was mentioning getting one for his Runner. I take it that they're not worth it?

Should I just go on Ebay and look for a magnetic hood bra?

uberdog

Go with a magnetic bra if they make one for your truck. As soon as the come out with one for the 4th gen 4Runner I'm getting one.

Sil23

[QUOTE]Originally posted by The Dutch Man
I asked for and received a new hardware kit from toyotaparts4u.com...but just in case...where did you get your plastic plugs??

The Dutch Man

Sil,

The plugs came from the Hardware store. They are all plastic . They are straight when new. When you insert into the hood hole, and screw into them, they expand into a T shape, preventing them from pulling out. I'll try to post a pic. I too received a new kit from the local stealer. Note to self, never try to remove the bug shield once installed!

uberdog

Amen to that! If the thing is already on your truck and seems to be secure, don't mess with it.

BTW: After driving to work today I did not hear anything rolling around in the recesses of the hood where the hood protector bolt now lives. Still bugs teh crap out of me to have it stuck in there. Oh well.

usdansker

Too late already put it on. I need to get a few special brackets made so I can lower it 1/3" so it doesn't look like I am ready to take off...

Reg the nut! I had the same thing happen to me on my previous 4runner. Left the bolt for 4 years and never heard a thing!

shazaam

Buy a new truck .....

JoKEpLaYeR

Or drive down a super steep grade and slam on the brakes..... that should move it forward. Hope it doesn't rattle!