New Owner — Is this a concern?

Hey guys,

sorry in advance — not sure I selected the best forum to post this thread to.

Been wanting a Tundra for a long time, and as my 2005 Acura TL just died I decided to take the dive into my dream truck. Purchased a 2021 SR5 5.7 4x4, and I absolutely love the thing!

I got the truck in mid-November and have been babying the heck out of it. I recently was washing the undercarriage and noticed this chip. I admittedly know very little about vehicles — I can change a tire and I can change the oil, but that’s about it. So when I saw this I was a little worried. This is probably a silly thing to be concerned about, but figured I’d get your guys’ thoughts. Anything I should do? I’m assuming the components within the wheel wells can get pretty dinged up due to rocks/gravel/etc.

I’m hoping you tell me it’s no big deal and laugh me off the forums . Thanks!

 

No big deal.

I guess you could touch it up maybe with a little black rustoleum.

I don't think worrying about a vehicle to that level is gonna help...you will drive yourself crazy.

SPP

 

Thanks man. I’ll have to pick some rustoleum up

 

Looks fine. Main thing to look at is the ball joint. If it’s sealed and the UCA looks good structurally the. You’re fine

 

I agree with @slowpokepete. What type of wheels are on it? Does the other side look the same?

 

Thanks for the reply — the wheels are the 18” alloys from Toyota. I haven’t upgraded anything on the truck yet, and the other side does not have a similar scratch. I actually think the dealer did it when I brought the truck in for their 1k mile complimentary check-up…

 

@Joro43 thanks man. Now I just gotta do some googling about ball joints lol not sure what a UCA is. Would it be an obvious flaw that an under qualified individual like myself could notice?

 

not a concern at all but weird that there is impact damage.

I'm betting there may have been a flat tire replaced during PDI and they banged the rim on the UCA in process.

The manufacturing process is very controlled and I don't see how that could happen unless the UCA was dropped.

 

@blanchard7684 thanks, this is all pretty new to me so I appreciate the reply. I also just noticed there’s a paint chip/light rust patch on the shock on the same side. So perhaps you’re right about a flat being replaced and dinging it up a bit?

 

Yeah I had some rust on shock threads that bothered me so I put a small dab of grease on them.

I also dropped down the spare and lubed the chain mechanism with grease.

Then I un torqued and retorqued the transmission pan bolts as they are prone to being semi-seized in transmission case.

Then I verified all differential fluid levels were set right.

And the transmission fluid level.

All were a just a bit too low for my preference.

yeah I'm picky too.

 

@blanchard7684 grease a better option than rustoleum for the shocks in your opinion? Take a wire brush to the rust before applying?

 

Want my guess?

https://www.autoblog.com/2021/12/07/toyota-scratches-blemishes-parts-suppliers-acceptable/

 

rustoleum is good too.

clean off before applying.

 

@dgtulsaguy well shit, that’s kinda annoying… thanks for the link

 

Welcome from LA (Lower Alabama)! UCA = Upper Control Arm.

 

@Bakershack thanks partner!