Skid Plate Creak - Toyota Felt fix?

I’ve read several posts regarding the dreaded skid plate creak and different fixes (some by Toyota and some by individuals on here) but I haven’t heard about the Felt Fix until today!
I have my truck in for this issue for the 3rd time now all under warranty and hopefully this will be the last… First was for a good torquing when they did 5k service (didn’t work) second was the Tech Tip that is a washer/spacer fix (lasted until the did my power steering recall check) and now is a Felt Fix where they place felt strips along the trouble spots ($500 Toyota chargeback from dealership)
We’ll see if Toyota has finally figured this thing out or if I need to forward them the resolution on here that is basically adding some rubber washers sold on Amazon.

 

Meh, the creak comes and goes, seems to be gone now. Was bad for a while, probably rubbed enough to eliminate the creak. Haven't thought about it in 2 years.

 

Nylon washers from ace hardware stopped my creaking years ago.

 

Yea. Why can’t Toyota technicians figure that out…? It’s a pretty common issue with the TRD Skid Plate and there’s Service Bulletins and TT Tech Tips that Toyota has issued and blah blah blah but no permanent fix and ez as nylon washers??

 

Just got the call to pick up my truck and the Felt Fix was a no go as too many customers complaining it did not resolve the issue so they went back to fix number 2 which is equivalent to nylon washers, maybe? (see pic below)
I told these guys I have a new(er) truck and it makes all kinds of noise when I park at the grocery store etc and you wouldn’t think Toyota would want people to hear that from a non modified truck of theirs but maybe they just don’t care.
This is visit #3 and pretty sure it won’t be my last if I leave it up to Toyota so nylon washers from Ace it is and hope that holds up!!

 

I just used pieces of a rubber mud flap that I had stashed between a couple cabinets.

 

Rubber fender washers from Ace Hardware fixed mine.

 

So just add on top side of skid snugged up close to 2 front bolts correct?

 

Stole this picture from another thread about the TRD skid plate creaking. You want to add the rubber fender washers between the skid plate and the frame crossmember at the rear of the skid plate. Add the rubber washers where the green arrows are. Just remove the 2 rear skid plate bolts and stick the rubber between the bolt and the crossmember and reassemble. Hope this helps.

 

Yes thank you sir!

 

I didn't notice the picture had the skid plate noted with the grey line. The washers will go above that in the picture as noted. Disregard the green arrow.

 

Now I'm debating on getting the TRD one or RCI now with this creak noise. This a gaurantee fix? Just curious.

 

There are a small number of folks with issues with the TRD skid plate - my brother in law and my son both have them on their Tundras and zero issues… Many on here say the washer or some sort of buffer between the plate and the frame does the trick it’s more a matter of longevity with those fixes as I have the Valhalla’s cat protectors and it’s very difficult to get your hand in there to access the top part of the bolt. I was hoping that the more I have mine in the shop at Toyota that maybe there’s a chance I could get another skid plate installed as it seems to be it’s a skid plate issue more than a fitment issue…

 

This is for a different truck and a different skid plate, but these might help -

$16 Energy Suspension 9.8105R End Link Grommet

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000CN5GEA:

 

Yea thanks those look more substantial compared to the washer for sure. Worth the $14 investment. So this may be proof that it is a skid plate issue which seems odd because it’s metal on metal regardless, without a fix, and therefor all skid plates should make noise but that is not the case. Weird geometry forces at work here (or is it algebra?)

 

I bought some and I'm waiting for my new skids to arrive so I can use them right off the bat. Like you said, worth the $14 investment. I'm sorry, I know I'm treading in the 2.5 forum which is a different truck... but I can say that my stock skid plate has made me chase down noises, but mine have been more "clunks" than "squeaks".

 

mine was fine, UNTIL I took it in for the power steering inspection. Now every time I turn out of the driveway, CLUNK.

 

I heard mine every blue moon before the power steering recall (like occasionally backing out of my driveway) and then as soon as they drove it up the service bay for me to take home after it passed the recall it was creaking like crazy. I even had the service advisor come over to hear it for himself and he initially said it was my cat protectors… I have it home now and the Tech Tip washers are working perfectly but I’m wondering for how long???

 

I used a cheap door mat..

 

Seems like I might just go with the RCI. Look like it's a skid plate issue.

 

If you have the TRD skid, they may have dropped the cylindrical aluminum spacer thing in the cross member when they dropped the skid plate. I did that accidentally and it clunked every time I turned. Finally got annoyed enough and was able to pull it out this morning. No more clunks.

 

I've been hearing creaking the last couple months from under my truck. It wasnt so bad before so I was thinking it might have been from the cat protection plates wedged between the TRD skid and frame——but this thread has me thinking otherwise.

 

That's why I chose the RCI over the TRD skid plate.

 

I've had zero complaints with my RCI skid. Just added(not pictured) the transfer case, rear diff, and gas tank skids.

 

+1 to the list of squishing a mudflap, floor mat, etc. between the skid group.
Did the whole specific tq. spec. pattern thing a few times and the squeak/clunk would come back(pretty much never went away).
Cut the tread off an old BMX tire and sandwiched it between the crossmember and skid, fixed.
Forgot all about the damn problem till I saw this thread.

 

Did you have to take the plate off and insert this ? Sorry for the dumb question, this is the 2nd time for me, first time the Dealership fixed it and said it was a known issue and a recall...unbeknownst to me, that dealership just fixed it... now the new dealership wants $375 to fix it... seems this is a Toyota issue with faulty hardware and terrible design...I'm 75% out the door and over to a Raptor if they don't find a way to resolve

 

You don't need to remove the skid plate. You just need to remove the 2 rear skid plate bolts which will allow you to pull the rear of the skid plate down enough to add the rubber washers in between the crossmember and the skid plate. Reinsert the 2 bolts and torque them back down to spec. Very quick and easy job to tackle.

 

They know about it for sure!!