Toyota Bullbar cracked

Submitted: Monday, Sep 25, 2017 at 09:57
ThreadID: 135638 Views:4214 Replies:11 FollowUps:3
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I own a 2015 LC200 Sahara fitted with a Toyota steel sahara winch bar and ARB Intensity 220mm LED driving lights.
During a recent outback road trip I noticed that the centre top part of the bulbar had developed a 24 cm crack from the inner post out past the driving light mounts.
Given that the Sahara is well within the Toyota warranty period timewise(60,000Kms),I sought rectification from Toyota.
As a result of the Toyota evaluation, they declined to warrant the bullbar because non-genuine driving lights had been fitted to the vehicle.
I was wondering if others had experienced similar issues
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Reply By: Member - bbuzz (NSW) - Monday, Sep 25, 2017 at 10:37

Monday, Sep 25, 2017 at 10:37
Toyota knocks back a warranty claim?

Why would that surprise anyone?

Guess you will be asking them again, nicely, pointing out that driving lights weigh next to bugger all etc etc. Then onto Toyota Head Office/Warranty division and then onto the Consumer/Ombudsman.

How do I know? Been there, done that with Toyota. Got satisfaction but those hoops were never ending!

Good luck

bill
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AnswerID: 613951

Reply By: HKB Electronics - Monday, Sep 25, 2017 at 10:54

Monday, Sep 25, 2017 at 10:54
Have read about cracking around the lights before, might have been on the LCOOL site.

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Reply By: pop2jocem - Monday, Sep 25, 2017 at 11:18

Monday, Sep 25, 2017 at 11:18
Graeme,

It would be interesting to get a "genuine'Toyota driving light weigh it, and then weigh one of the lights you have fitted.
Also have you mentioned to ARB how their driving lights have been blamed by Toyota for cracking their 'roo bar.

Cheers
Pop
AnswerID: 613953

Reply By: Member - Boobook - Monday, Sep 25, 2017 at 12:12

Monday, Sep 25, 2017 at 12:12
If its a Sahara bar isn't it ARB and not a Toyota bar?
AnswerID: 613954

Follow Up By: Ozi M - Monday, Sep 25, 2017 at 17:24

Monday, Sep 25, 2017 at 17:24
My thoughts too but perhaps it was fitted by the Toyota dealer ?

If so then the dealer should be contacting their supplier ARB and acting for the client
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Reply By: RMD - Monday, Sep 25, 2017 at 14:12

Monday, Sep 25, 2017 at 14:12
I didn't know there was any sucj thing as a TOYOTA Driving light. MAybe some they use but didn't know Toyota made them.

If around similar weight as other so called " Genuine' lights it would point to the fact of insufficient annulus of the mounting washers. That would cause the crack even with genuine lights.

Carefully look at the thickness and annulus of the washers used, and if possible compare them to what TOYOTA experts use. If same, then they are denying warranty without cause or reason.
AnswerID: 613958

Reply By: Member - cruza25 - Monday, Sep 25, 2017 at 17:04

Monday, Sep 25, 2017 at 17:04
http://www.newtowntoyota.parts/PZQ2960600/New-Genuine-Toyota-200-Series-LandCruiser-Steel-Bu

This link shows the genuine bar and Toyota driving lights.
Look about 5” diameter and plastic.

If you fitted 10” ARB lights I would think they would be much heavier.

Toyota will use this to try and put the blame on you for sure.
Maybe a load spreading plate on the underside might prevent future cracking and get the crack welded first.
I don’t think Toyota will give you a new $2000 bull bar unless you are a big customer.
AnswerID: 613965

Reply By: skulldug - Tuesday, Sep 26, 2017 at 02:11

Tuesday, Sep 26, 2017 at 02:11
Not a bull bar issue but I have certainly had a similar experience with Toyota ducking and weaving their warranty responsibilities.

The Toyota customer service people were skilled and obviously very well rehearsed at blaming everyone else for problems they knew they were having with that model.

If the bar isn't able to handle driving lights on its driving light mounts, then I'd say it isn't fit for purpose irrespective of which brand the lights are.



AnswerID: 613976

Reply By: Michael H9 - Tuesday, Sep 26, 2017 at 12:28

Tuesday, Sep 26, 2017 at 12:28
Is it just me, or is a bullbar that cracks from the strain of non standard driving lights something that any self respecting manufacturer would not want publicised? Don't lean on it, you might cause catastrophic failure. :-)
AnswerID: 613982

Reply By: Stone Stomper - Wednesday, Sep 27, 2017 at 09:12

Wednesday, Sep 27, 2017 at 09:12
I would remove the lights and any evidence on the bull bar and go to another dealer as there was one that came completely off on the GGR.

AnswerID: 613999

Reply By: Member - Leigh (Vic) - Wednesday, Sep 27, 2017 at 20:09

Wednesday, Sep 27, 2017 at 20:09
Bad news, particularly on a $100k plus purchase from Toyota. Ok, so in good faith you order a "genuine" bar from Toyota. You fit driving lights to that bar (which Toyota accepts most people will do) and the bar develops cracks. To your surprise, and post purchase, they claim you fitted a non- genuine accessory and therefore denied your claim. They have done so without advising you when the bar was ordered or fitted of the limitations re type of light/weight or that only a genuine accessory could be fitted to that bar. Without knowing all the facts I sense Toyota have treated you in a very un Australian way and the concept of fairness appears to have evaporated from their corporate value set. Fitness for purpose also springs to mind. I could give a vengeful spray here but will desist.

I have owned several Toyota's and I can assure you that my previous corporate fleet purchasing power would have had this fixed under warranty. Come on Toyota, do the right thing by this bloke and make good if only to restore one's faith that you are a company with integrity.


AnswerID: 614010

Reply By: Member - Graeme C13 - Saturday, Sep 30, 2017 at 07:32

Saturday, Sep 30, 2017 at 07:32
thanks for the various comments. given no further satisfaction from Toyota,I have had the bar repaired(welded/reinforced/painted), and all should be good.
I did consult with ARB and whilst they were sympathetic, and somewhat baffled by Toyota's attitude,it really wasn't their problem.
I agree that the bar's failure suggests that it is 'not fit for purpose', but the hassle of continuing to challenge Toyota, and maybe the Small Claims Tribunal not worth the pain.
If I were to consider buying another Toyota, I certainly would not buy their accessories.....ARB looks good.
AnswerID: 614071

Follow Up By: Loddo48 - Sunday, Oct 01, 2017 at 13:45

Sunday, Oct 01, 2017 at 13:45
How many bolts were used to bolt down the ARB lights ,U must use all 3 bolt holes plus the rubber mount that is supplied with the lights . One bolt is not enough to hold the light and it will move and cause the bar to crack.
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FollowupID: 884661

Follow Up By: Member - Graeme C13 - Tuesday, Oct 03, 2017 at 17:26

Tuesday, Oct 03, 2017 at 17:26
3 bolts used, was fitted by ARB.
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FollowupID: 884709

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