Problems after frame replacement

Following the recent frame replacement on my 2006 4x4 dbl cab, I noticed a slight rightward drift in the steering. Ok, time for an alignment. A local, reliable shop completed the work, and I went on my way.

A few days later, my wife and I were driving along and while making a sharp right turn, heard a scuffing noise coming from the right wheel well. I had the alignment shop investigate, and they showed me there were only 1 1/2 inches showing between the rearmost edge of the right front tire and the mud flap I’d installed months ago. The LEFT front tire distance between mud flap and tire edge was a full 4.0 inches.

I measured the front wheel hub-to-rear wheel hub distance on both sides of the truck: the right side measurement was almost 2” shorter than the left side.

My question: did the shop screw up the right side a-arm setup, or were the parts defective and they had to purposefully set the geometry “out of alignment” to prevent tire/mud flap rubbing when making right turns?

I’m trying to stay calm before unloading on Toyota.


Update:

I picked up my Tacoma from the dealership today, everything seems in spec now. Several days ago I met with the Toyota service manager regarding the tire/wheelbase issue, and he assured me the front alignment was now corrected to the Tacoma specifications. After walking around the truck, I pointed out the noticeable 2” difference between the passenger wheel well-to tire spacing versus the wider drivers side spacing. Another ‘06 Tacoma was parked adjacent to mine, to which we made a comparison.

The technician who actually did the frame swap was brought out to get an opinion as to what the issue might be. He immediately noticed the spacing problem, as well as saying the cab was reinstalled noticeably too far forward from the truck bed. They brought my Tacoma back into the shop for adjustments.

I went back to the dealership following the phone call that my truck was ready. The cab and bed were again mated up, the tire/wheel well issue was gone and they had reinstalled my front mud guards (removed earlier to avoid contacting the right front tire when turning the wheels to hard right).

Bottom Line: Everything finally looked normal. The service manager assured me the ft/rear wheelbase was within factory specs now, and following several test drives by himself during the adjustment process all should be well.

I’ve dealt with Service Managers who had minimal technical ‘subject-matter expertise’, and weren’t shy about demonstrating their lack thereof. My guy didn’t have all the answers (I didn’t expect him to), but he knew when to call the tech with 40 years of Toyota experience under his belt out to my truck to help figure things out.

I’m pretty sure that my front tires took a beating during my 4K vacation out west, during which they suffered the front end misalignment. Couldn’t be helped though, plus they were on the replacement cusp when I left home. I stopped at my alignment shop to determine the front wheel scraping problem literally on the way to Nebraska. The Tacoma had been packed and was ready to go, and worse, my wife’s discomfort was going effervescent.

I digress.

As my German great-grandfather would say, “Alles Ist Gut!”

 

That doesnt sound right at all. I have done many frame replacements and know guys who have and never heard of this. Did you take it to the Toyota dealer that did the frame yet. Before you unload on Toyota just remember they did you a favor by replacing your frame. Try getting that out of another car maker. Wont happen.

 

I’ve been away for the last month and haven’t had the chance to get with the dealership. This week for sure, after which I’ll report back. Thanks, Jim.

 

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Tbh i can also look at cars much older than mine without a rusty as hell frame..and toyota went through this already with 1st gens...

 

Go back to who did the frame swap and explain the issue.

 

Exactly this. Toyota deserves to be "unloaded" on for the frame rust issue. Frame replacements aren't exactly a favor they offered out of good faith... It took a class action lawsuit to get these jabronis to rectify their egregious error.

I love my truck, but I live in reality and call a spade a spade . I'll get off my high horse now...

 

In New England they all rot the same here. The salt they use for the roads is brutal

 

Don't make Toyota out to be such heroes, they replaced his frame only after settling a class action suit they knew they'd lose...

 

Fortunately, this all ended well, please see my updated original post. Many thanks to those of you who provided advice and suggestions.

Regards, Jim

 

I still don't understand why Toyota doesn't just coat the frames at the factory during manufacturing when they are new for trucks going to areas that are included in the recall. It has to be more cost effective than the ~$3.5B that they are spending on replacing frames.

 

Probably has more to do with frame manufacturer. Toyota doesn’t make the frame. I believe they buy them from Dana.

 

That doesn't entitle them to doing a half-ass'd replacement! Besides, the dealers are doing the work, not Toyota. Toyota just pays the bill. Unload on your dealer!

 

Maybe, but is Dana paying the bill for the recall? Find another vendor or hold them to a higher standard, or coat them new. Why is it only Tacomas?

 

So far after frame swap my Carrier bearing bolts were left loose and the rear springs are shit . So they made a house call to tighten my CB bolts and will be installing Dakar’s that I purchased free of charge !

 

My new frame says “ Made in Mexico “

 

Don’t know. Just recalling what I have read on here. May have something to do with what Toyota specs out.