Is it stress from a downward motion?
From a pushing motion?
There is something causing the bend..its not gravity...and its not metal fatigue...
Maybe its a weak spot , but what exactly causes it to change its shape?
That is the question..
Do you actually belive that the chassis of the FJ moves enough to bend the fender aprons?
It would have to actually twist an incredible amount to bend the fender aprons...
Do you actually belive that the chassis of the FJ moves enough to bend the fender aprons?
It would have to actually twist an incredible amount to bend the fender aprons...
This is my opinion on whats causing this. After much research on the forums I think the front body mounts are supposed to absorb the flex, however because that area of the apron is so weak that it dosen't have the ability to push down on the body mount and just bends at the weakest point. They eventually crack after the sheet metal being fatigued.
thanks for showing the comparison. Since the fender aprons are on the 3rd design and no pics showing this, Im just assuming that theyve just increase the # of metal sheets? IMO the triple metal sheets wont do much but just buy you more time (as we've seen it re-occuring after fender apron repairs/upgrades).
Toyota has to address the issue of too much frame-body flex.
Quote:
ibdliquidator previously said:
Are you saying this is caused because people are jumping their fj?
Jumping WILL provoke this issue but there were/are many FJs (even stock) that were not even rock crawling (or off-roading in general) that had fender aprons issues. Shreesh is one that just travel to South America (see Accross Americas thread) and sometimes drives on fire-roads/off-pavement.
[quote=lilx10;1329670]thanks for showing the comparison. Since the fender aprons are on the 3rd design and no pics showing this, Im just assuming that theyve just increase the # of metal sheets? IMO the triple metal sheets wont do much but just buy you more time (as we've seen it re-occuring after fender apron repairs/upgrades).
I spoke to the body shop manager and he said it's not just more sheet metal but on the inside the apron is boxed as well. What ever that means. It's more than just more sheet metal
Are you saying this is caused because people are jumping their fj?
Yes...and No.
The body mounts apprear to be directly below the firewall .
The firewall is last "real solid" cross member of the body.
In front of that is a bunch of sheetmetal just kinda hanging.
Its bending downward at the weakspot , the crumple zone.
Jumping would definatly cause the bend...I believe thats the reason in most cases.
Perhaps the area is weak enough that very hard jolts from the suspension bottoming out is enough to start a bulge.
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