see the picture, I was wondering if anybody knew what this thing is for? this thing bounces up and down when I drive over the speed bumps and making some unpleasant noises.
it's a 99 4Runner LTD, thanks!

 

Whats with the rust? Can you remove it?

 

Looks like a piece of concrete or somethin, try pullin it out it doesn't really look functional at all

 

that thingy is un-removable, passenger side of frame also has the same thing.
in regards to the rust, I'm not sure if that has anything to do with the New England weather here?? should I take it to the garage to check it out?

Btw, long time looker, first time poster, what a great community here!!!

 

it's a piece metal, this picture may offer a better look:

 

it's a zinc bar it's designed to help with rust.

 

...imagine if it wasn't there...DAMN!

 

you guys call that rust? shoulda seen my tacoma

edit: as far as doing anything about it... its a little late for that. Up north we need to undercoat every year to keep from rusting. You could put some used motor oil on it may slow the rusting. or maybe a better, but more expensive option would be some paint that is designed to seal over rust.

 

I'm going to guess this is somewhere near your hitch? If so this is what we used when I worked for U-haul back in the day. There is a nut attached to the other end and it holds the but in place when fishing the bolt through the hole deep in the frame.


Aaron

 

when i removed my hitch, some of the bolts went into a thin metal piece with nuts on it similar to that. i figured it was in there just to act as a large washer to help clamp the nuts and bolts to the frame. guess i was wrong

gonna hit my frame with some POR15, your's doesn't look that bad IMO.

 

Oh, a sacrificial anode.

 

its there for the stock bumper or hitch, so when you bolt it on the frame the bolt goes in to it like a washer

 

i would love to hear how it prevents rust

 

I've never seen anything like it. If it's suppose to prevent rust, i'm curious what it would look like without it. I'd pull it, sandblast, or undercoat...it doesn't look like it's doing it's job.

 

This isn't the same application but the science is the same...
http://www.gcsescience.com/ex34.htm

also...
http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question...nfo-nhhdj1cbaa

 

Couple of items, first I tend to believe the posting regarding the hitch. Investigate this first and if all else fails, go ask a Toyota nechanic. Even my dealership doesn't charge me to ask quesitons.

As for sacrificial metals, yes Zincs are used to protect stell from rusting. I spent 24 years in the Navy and my submarine had huge zinc anode blocks all over her in places you would not believe. The oxidation of the zinc happens more rapidly then the steel and electrons take the path of least resistance. Particularly in saltwater, electrolysis is an ongoing issue with steel and placing the zincs in key areas channels the electron path through them vice the steel. The link above is a very basic description of how the process works but it is true. I don't believe the bar or metal piece you are showing is for that purpose as if it was, the bar would be much more severly corroded then in these pics. Just IMO.

 

Like the others said, it's for the hitch. There are 4 bolts on each side of the hitch holding it on. Two have their nuts mounted inside the frame, the two that are farther back bolt to that bar. They do come out. Both of mine did. I would say you have a lot of dirt and sand built up in there. Flush it out and you should be able to lift it up and back to get it over the two nuts mounted in the frame.

 

i sand as much of the rust as possible then coat havily with used motor oil... you have to do this twice a year tho or it will make the rust worse.

 

The concept of the sacrificial anode works. It's used for boats, bridges, natural gas pipelines, etc. However, this concept DOES NOT WORK in cars. Why? For it to work, there needs to be a path to ground. Our rubber tires insulate the car from the path to ground. To make this concept work, you'd need to drag a chain or some other piece of metal on the ground.

MadCityRich
'02 4Runner

 

Tyres are pretty handy in a direct lightning hit too!