I read an earlier post that showed the” Timbren Aeon Hollow Rubber Springs”, they look more like a overload than a body mount. Has anyone looked into a different type of a body mount?
I am concerned about this. I am an insurance fraud investigator and have previously worked at a firm handling accident reconstructions.
Is there a correlation between the bulging and the ripping? In short are there signs of previous bulging in those that have ripped. (the signs of bulging would still be there.)
In my experience I'm thinking that there can be 2 problems here in a single weak section of the FJ.
1. A bulging area usually indicates the flexing in one incident as in an ARB Bull Bar impacting the front grill or fender and causing a single bulge on a single side, or both.
2. The ripping is a sign of repeated flexing and the result of metal fatigue.
Can someone clearly see signs previous bulging in a cracked example, or are the cracked areas flat?
I wish I could be more clear here. I have been reading this thread straight through. It's late here and I'm extremely tired.
__________________ Chairman of the Board FJ Bruisers 2007 FJ in Sun Fusion FJ, CP #2
ARB Bull Bar W/Warn M8000 & IPF's, ARB Rear Bumper W/Warn M8000 (both W/in-cab switch) and swing out tire carrier, OME 3" lift, Safari Snorkel, Eclipse AVN GPS,DVD,CD,Sirius & B/U cam. AR Craters, W/ McT 35" MTZ's, ARB Rack W/ ARB Simpson II tent, ARB Sliders, VIAIR 450 & tank, Dirty Parts 2 Battery W/ 2 Optimas, All-Pro skids, U&L links, A-arms, Cobra 75WX,ScanGuage 2,Toshiba Tablet PC W/ Topo USA 6 on A2A mount.
I have a wrinkle in the same location. It is not a tear yet. I do NOT jump my FJ. In fact, if you have wheeled with me you know that I am slow and steady. When other trucks are covered with mud, mine is fairly clean due to my "as slow as possible and as fast as necessary" approach. I have an OME medium lift and a stock bumper.
I am not upset.
This rig has taken me through more slop and steeper grades than I thought possible. The frame is not broken, just a wrinkle in sheet metal.
To me it adds character.
Problem is, if you keep flexing a wire hanger, it's going to break eventually. If the body does start to tear, chances are it's going to push the metal behind the fender well closer to the door and cause door opening/closing issues (cruiserlarry was kind enough to talk about air2airs problem). ON TOP of the possible failing of the crumple zone in a crash.
I'm a little upset over the issue, but I don't think it's beyond Toyota to find a solution — though I will take it easy on mine until I hear from the manufacturer.
__________________
"I'd like to die in my sleep like my grandfather. Not screaming in terror like the passengers in his car."
I am concerned about this. I am an insurance fraud investigator and have previously worked at a firm handling accident reconstructions.
Is there a correlation between the bulging and the ripping? In short are there signs of previous bulging in those that have ripped. (the signs of bulging would still be there.)
In my experience I'm thinking that there can be 2 problems here in a single weak section of the FJ.
1. A bulging area usually indicates the flexing in one incident as in an ARB Bull Bar impacting the front grill or fender and causing a single bulge on a single side, or both.
2. The ripping is a sign of repeated flexing and the result of metal fatigue.
Can someone clearly see signs previous bulging in a cracked example, or are the cracked areas flat?
I wish I could be more clear here. I have been reading this thread straight through. It's late here and I'm extremely tired.
Ben
I just checked my rips and yes they are bulged out. There is no way I can lay a straight edge along my crumple zone like dbbd1 did. It looked just like stagecoachco photo.
Bernd
Problem is, if you keep flexing a wire hanger, it's going to break eventually. If the body does start to tear, chances are it's going to push the metal behind the fender well closer to the door and cause door opening/closing issues (cruiserlarry was kind enough to talk about air2airs problem). ON TOP of the possible failing of the crumple zone in a crash.
I'm a little upset over the issue, but I don't think it's beyond Toyota to find a solution — though I will take it easy on mine until I hear from the manufacturer.
Understood. I'm just saying that I have beat the hell out of my truck, bounced it off of trees, driven it through a lake, mucked it up through swamps, climbed alpine passes made of shale, squeezed it between rocks, driven through rivers, spit gravel at 40 mph, and didn't even give her a good morning kiss after I ****** her in the ***, and all I have is a wrinkle in a location where there is already a sheet metal crease (there for rigidity). I realize it could become an issue, and if it does I will only blame myself for taking a stock rig (at one time) through the extremes that I have. That being said, I am 100% with you that I hope the issue gets cleared up.
__________________
.
"What is funny about us is precisely that we take ourselves too seriously"
Understood. I'm just saying that I have beat the hell out of my truck, bounced it off of trees, driven it through a lake, mucked it up through swamps, climbed alpine passes made of shale, squeezed it between rocks, driven through rivers, spit gravel at 40 mph, and didn't even give her a good morning kiss after I ****** her in the ***, and all I have is a wrinkle in a location where there is already a sheet metal crease (there for rigidity). I realize it could become an issue, and if it does I will only blame myself for taking a stock rig (at one time) through the extremes that I have. That being said, I am 100% with you that I hope the issue gets cleared up.
When we find fault with our heros, we tend to be less forgiving.
Not you, my FJ.
Quote:
Dragon previously said:
....and didn't even give her a good morning kiss after I ****** her in the ***
I might just use this as one of my sigs. Left the smiley for effect.
__________________
"I'd like to die in my sleep like my grandfather. Not screaming in terror like the passengers in his car."
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Expeditioneers.com
Last edited by toddunderscore : 08-12-2007 at 09:14 PM.
I am one of those that wants to keep the sheet metal intact... Run softly.... I looked a little closer an on the drivers side there is a little deformation of the metal. Not sure if it is what it would look like from the factory.
I looked behind the plastic in the wheel well the there is a gusset near this spot to hold the outer fender in place. I wonder if any added stress comes from this.
Another issue might be that when the sheet metal is stamped there are microscopic stress cracks created in that area that then allow the formation of larger stress cracks.
I think this reeks of design flaw.
Each person needs to report the flaw to the NHTS. The failure of this panel compromises the crash safety of the FJ. The zone will no longer adsorb energy like it was designed to. If a large number of this problem are reported the NHTS must investigate. Go to IVOQ - File a Complaint and file a complaint.
I like the idea of reporting this to NHTS. I believe the concern is valid, that the cracks have a negative effect in case of a crash.
One more comment on the body mounts: some images from before show that the body stays rigid while the front bumper twists with the ladder frame. this should not be the case. from a design point of view you should not have a relatively weak metal structure from the body in this region to support the massive ladder frame. the body should twist and flex with the frame. this is a pure design issue. the stamping in this area should not effect the mechanical properties of the steel, since the metal is designed for deep draw, which does not yield to excessive work hardening. however, the crumble zone causes a notching effect - on purpose.
conclusion: the front body frame (engine bay) needs redesign
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