Skid plate bolts...and dealer RANT...

Ok, a small rant. My first oil change on my 2017. Previous owner had dealer do all the maintenance, and the records prove it. I went under the front of the truck today to do the oil/filter change and only 1 bolt holding the back center of the skid plate on. All the other bolts missing, including what look like should be 3 screws for the bumper facia.

It's just...like they don't give a damn. They wouldn't have done that with their OWN truck, ya know??? Generally, I've been happy with the dealer, they backed me when I needed it, but gees folks, have just a little pride in your work. They must figure that no customer is ever gonna look. All that stuff was just flapping around down there for at least the 4000 miles I put on her.

I'll probably just try to find replacement bolts (ALL of them, since the one in the back center is slightly stripped as well) online somewhere. Anybody have part numbers avail easy? LOL

Thanks for letting me vent...

 

I got a set of OEM skid plate screws off eBay.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Toyota-Tundra-Factory-Metal-Skid-Plate-Bolts-2007-2020/361998363602

I wonder if they not put them back on so have buy from them.

 

I had a drain plug dripping on my garage floor. Reached under and tightened it by hand. Got the wrench and snugged it some more....very carefully. Called dealer the next morning and told them they would be examining my oil pan to verify the plug was simply not tightened after their service....rather than over tightened and stripped. Got lucky. I do my own service work now.

 

I had the exact same rant about two years ago. Bought my ‘13 Tundra as a CPO from a dealer who did all the service. Only 3 total bolts were holding the skid plate. I found the missing ones on this website: https://www.toyotapartsdeal.com/

Specifically, part # 90119-A0169

 

Yup. I'm at the age where I pay the shop to change my oil. I took my 2013 Tuna in for oil change on 2/3/25. I discovered this weekend that the shop not only left out 3 bolts but misaligned the front hooks. Pissed off! Took it back and showed them. Naturally they did not have replacement bolts.

 

So lazy!

I bought a 2012 that had ONLY been served by a dealer and the Carfax backed it.

Sure enough, it was missing screws and a bolt.

 

Nope, nobody touches my truck.

Not only do I get to do the oil change, but I thoroughly inspect the truck for leaks or other wear items. Never an over torqued or missing bolt. Does it suck sometimes (dead of winter, or summer) yes. But I know it's done right, and with pride in my work.

 

Last month I started to hear an intermittent low pitched rattling noise after my last oil change. I couldn’t pin point it until I finally noticed that they didn’t re-install two of the front screws holding the lower part of the plastic bumper on the skid plate so it was rattling.

 

I'm not sure why people are surprised at this, ive been experiencing the same issues with almost every Toyota dealer in this area. Also, this is not just a Toyota thing exclusively. The dealer fucked my new GX460 with stripped bolts while doing an oil change, then they could not balance the tires properly and had to take back to them 3 times only to go to Costco, yes Fucking Costco, to get them to properly balance the tires. The Lexus (PRIORITY) stealerhip called me back and could give two $hits about their workmanship quality. Mind you this Lexus is still under factory warranty and maintenance plan. These bastards really screwed me over during the purchase try to get more $ out of me after the deal was made so i had to cancel my purchase with them and go to Alexandrea Lexus to get my new Lexus.

 

Yep, same here. Missing both rear bolts on my TRD Pro skid, which makes no sense since there’s already the little filter housing door that just needs an allen wrench.

 

When you do want to put it back together, I recommend Talon's nut plate.
It will make putting those bolts in MUCH easier..

TRD Nut Plate – Talons Garage



My dealer does my oil changes but I look under the truck every time to check that my TRD Pro door bolts are in place..

 

Damn. Only one left?
I was missing only one when I did mine for first time. The three from the bumper fascia long gone too.
Of course when having the dealer do it, it is always some baby faced kid grabbing the truck.
Probably going to do it myself after I use my last prepaid change.

 

Lol.
Didn't realize the thread was from 2021.
Wonder if the OP will even see the replys?

 

To hell with it- Let's rant!!

I finally swore off dealer service when they failed to torque the lugnuts on my passenger front wheel and it was coming off! I had to replace 3 nuts that had spun all the way off and I had nightmares for a week.

But at that time, I was TOLERATING the over-torqued oil filter housing and the missing skid plate hardware. I got the impression that the techs must get angry at the vehicles they are servicing and treat them like shit.

No more. After the wheel episode, I started having a family owned certified shop do bigger jobs and check it out at every other oil change. It's a shit drive through west Portland traffic to drop and pick up, but the guys there do a fantastic job.

 

What does one miss by not taking it to the dealer...ever?

 

I used dealership for oil changes. When I did the first 1 myself 1 bolt was missing and another was not OEM. This is a thread about skid plates so I won't go into issues with filter cap. When I got the survey I gave them a 0. Manager called me and I explained why. He ordered 2 new bolts. When I went to pick them up he asked "do you want them installed?". I said NO. We also discussed training for his service techs on use of torque wrenches on oil filter cap.

 

Dealer tight filter caps?
Let's just call that on topic also, because I can relate.

 

The service record, which will be of varying importance depending on the owner and their circumstances.

Also the crying kids, crappy coffee, and the presence of the thoroughly genuine and caring car sales people.

 

For me, I think the idea of maximizing resale value left when we cut the sides off.

 

At the other end of the spectrum: my Toyota dealership uses plastic-coated sockets to remove and reinstall the lug nuts so the black paint finish isn't marred on the lugs or the wheel. Contrast that with the GMC dealership who likely used the wrong socket when the rotated the wheels on my wife's Acadia and now all the chrome lugs are rusting where the edges were slightly rounded.

 

Yep! That’s exactly what I went with when I was looking for replacement bolts! Man, so much easier when I had to put it and the cat plates back on.