Be sure to check your Cat shield bolts

I installed the Talon cat shield on my Tundra about 6 months ago. Re-torqued the bolts about 2 weeks after install. Didn't check them again until this morning when the front bolts worked their way out while going about 80mph on the interstate. The noise and racket the plate made slamming the interstate sounded like I dropped the engine out of the bottom of the truck.

The rear bolts were still attached but had also worked their way about 1/2" loose. This actually helped as the plate didn't bend the bolts when the front came loose and it held the plate in place when it bounced off the interstate instead of turning it into a projectile that could have wrecked the bottom of my truck or someone else behind me. There was no noticeable damage to my truck that I could see.

This isn't a flaw in the product but is a warning to use lock tight and consider adding lock washers in addition to the provided hardware. And a reminder to re-torque them periodically.

 

@Talon2006 tagging Talon so he has visibility. Haven't heard this with other gens. I've been running cat shields for over 2 years and I haven't noticed the bolts backing off (I peak but haven't taken a wrench to them). I do agree it's important to look or check occasionally, I do it more to see if it looked like someone had been under there but it is not a bad idea to take a wrench and check the bolts once in awhile.

Thanks for sharing and I'm glad that was your only issue and you fixed it

 

Sorry this happened! I am a little shocked, and you are the first.

I personally do not have any loc tight on my personal truck, or the bronco and haven't had an issue.

Just curious, did you just have the two front M8 bolts in there, or also the third 3/8-16-4" bolt with the nylon lock nut?

 

I have to remove and reinstall those bolts every oil change in order to remove the OEM TRD skid and last 2 times I found them snug and good to go. No loosening. I have not checked the rears but will do so next time under.

 

Great question. I can't recall so went back and looked at pics. Looks like I only used the front M8 bolts. Lesson learned here - follow the damn instructions.

Will be ordering some replacement hardware.

 

Ive had my Talon's shield for 18 months...bolts are nice n toit. I dont drive on rough roads though.