Question for those dealing with the torn/bulged fenders...

SupraTuRD · 08-22-2007, 06:43 PM

In an attempt to solve the cause of the torn/cracked/bulged inner fenders, I have a few questions for those folks dealing with this problem.

After sifting through the pages of folks dealing with the torn/cracked/bulged inner fenders, it is obvious that we're dealing with a structural deficiency. I have yet to hear of anyone reporting this type of damage from those that do not drive "off road". Of those of you that have the damaged fenders, what kind of "off road" driving do you do? One person's idea of being "easy" or "non-hardcore" when off roading their FJ can be different from one individual to another.

So, for the "off road" guys with these tears/cracks/bulges on their inner fenders, when you drive "off road", have you flexed to the point where a front wheel has left the ground? If so, how many times before you've noticed any changes on the inner fender(s)?

I have a suspicion that the lack of torsional stiffness in the front portion of the FJ's frame during flex is the cause of this damage to the inner fenders. If the frame is flexing excessively as I am suspecting, excessive up/down forces will be applied directly through the two front body mounts, causing this type of damage that we've been seeing.

SupraTuRD · 08-22-2007, 08:57 PM

Where did you all go?

***LandCruiserSteve*** · 08-23-2007, 04:43 AM

Quote:

SupraTuRD previously said:

Of those of you that have the damaged fenders, what kind of "off road" driving do you do? One person's idea of being "easy" or "non-hardcore" when off roading their FJ can be different from one individual to another.

You're right, Supra. One's perception of how intense their off-road driving experiences are, is completely relative and subjective. Some veteran off-roaders could do the Rubicon Trail and write it off as a "typical 4x4 excursion." And, a novice might consider crossing a simple stone-covered river bed as "rock crawling."

That's probably why we won't be able to obtain an accurate account of extreme usage in comparing the different FJ's that have encountered the cracking and/or bulging.

Personally speaking, I do keep things on the relatively mild side when driving off-road in my FJ, primarily because it's my daily driver and I try to avoid as much potential carnage as possible . . . . just so I can still get to work the next day. For what I consider to be my "hardcore" 'wheeling, that's when the FJ-40 comes out of the garage.

Quote:

SupraTuRD previously said:

So, for the "off road" guys with these tears/cracks/bulges on their inner fenders, when you drive "off road", have you flexed to the point where a front wheel has left the ground?

Supposedly, the way the FJ was designed, built and consequently advertised to the public, ocassionally getting some daylight under a tire shouldn't affect its structural integrity that much. However, if something as simple as a little air under a tire in everyday off-roading conditions causes sheet metal to crack, then Toyota definitely does have to address this issue on what they consider to be their premiere off-road truck. And, I suspect they will.

**w5wi** · 08-23-2007, 06:26 AM

Quote:

LandCruiserSteve previously said:

You're right, Supra... Supposedly, the way the FJ was designed, built and consequently advertised to the public, ocassionally getting some daylight under a tire shouldn't affect its structural integrity that much. However, if something as simple as a little air under a tire in everyday off-roading conditions causes sheet metal to crack, then Toyota definitely does have to address this issue on what they consider to be their premiere off-road truck. And, I suspect they will.

At the Summit on those relatively mild trails, I was very suprised at how easy a wheel would come off the ground on our FJ?'s. They all seemed to "get air" on relatively small rocks and uneven terrain.

While this never gave me or other drivers a sensation of tipping over, it was a strange situation...

wesayso · 08-23-2007, 06:33 AM

Here's one....

ippon20 · 08-23-2007, 11:59 AM

I'd be curious how that twinnie survived that leap wesayso!

wesayso · 08-23-2007, 03:42 PM

Quote:

ippon20 previously said:

I'd be curious how that twinnie survived that leap wesayso!

I can't take credit for it, it was posted on the forum a long time ago.

SupraTuRD · 08-23-2007, 10:36 PM

Quote:

LandCruiserSteve previously said:

Supposedly, the way the FJ was designed, built and consequently advertised to the public, ocassionally getting some daylight under a tire shouldn't affect its structural integrity that much. However, if something as simple as a little air under a tire in everyday off-roading conditions causes sheet metal to crack, then Toyota definitely does have to address this issue on what they consider to be their premiere off-road truck. And, I suspect they will.

Agreed. On the 1/07 and later builds, the inner fenders have definitely changed, but if that's all they changed, that's a temporary band-aid. I think we need to look deeper and compare the frames of the '06 and the post 1/07 builds... maybe they did address the issue on the newer models.

So if the frames are flexing excessively to cause this problem... what kind of fix could we expect from toyota? Newly designed frame (doubt it)?? I suppose a well designed bolt-in brace may be a more feasible option.

**Air2air** · 08-23-2007, 10:50 PM

Quote:

SupraTuRD previously said:

...the lack of torsional stiffness in the front portion of the FJ's frame during flex is the cause of this damage to the inner fenders. If the frame is flexing excessively as I am suspecting, excessive up/down forces will be applied directly through the two front body mounts, causing this type of damage that we've been seeing.

Supra I concur 100%. My case is different from the others for this obvious reason..

Needless to say this should disqualify me from the "normal usage" category, but still I think I was one of the very first to discover it.

It's my belief that the frame is flexing as it should, but the sheet metal didn't get that phone call.

My damage from the the hit above was not as bad as you would think - the tires hit the fender wells. This was barely visible at all on the outside though they did look pretty thrashed on the inside.

My next hit at Hungry Valley crunched the crumple zones in the same spots you guys have had tears. But the crunch was good enough to make the doors real hard to open and close. Fortunately though the damage remained with the fenders. As soon as the fenders were removed the doors worked fine.

AceTechno · 08-23-2007, 10:54 PM

So Todd. After all things considered. Would the best bet be for people who have this issue have there front fenders replaced with the Fiberglass one like you are getting. That was what I kinda got out of your post. by removing the old ones. I guess.