Liftgate Rust/Paint Question (3 Viewers)

[Mingus Dew]

My quest to find every spec of rust on this vehicle continues.

Two questions for the brain trust.

1) I found two pretty bad rust spots (bubbling) on what looks to be a piece of metal trim that holds the rubber lift gate gasket in place. One on the driver’s side and one on the passenger side.

It seems like this metal trim just bolts on. Would you all recommend just replacing it? If so, any idea what the part # would be?

2) Any clue why the paint on the top portion of the tailgate is so worn down? Something is clearly contacting it as it feels rough to the touch on both sides.

 

[Mingus Dew]

As a follow-up, looks like the part numbers for the metal trim and gasket are as follows:

84270-60140 (right)
84280-60090 (left)

Of course these are sensor housings or something so they are expensive as hell. Looks like $800 for both sides with the 20% off sale that Toyota is currently running.

I'm assuming this would be a pretty straightforward replacement or is there calibration that needs to be done?

 

[AZLX570]

I've taken these sensors off before to do some cleanup/check for rust. They just unclip and no calibration seemed to be needed. And yes, they're expensive unfortunately. Since they aren't part of the structure themselves, I would recommend just cleaning them up/keeping them around and focus all your effort/money on the tailgate itself if needed.

 

[Mingus Dew]

I've taken these sensors off before to do some cleanup/check for rust. They just unclip and no calibration seemed to be needed. And yes, they're expensive unfortunately. Since they aren't part of the structure themselves, I would recommend just cleaning them up/keeping them around and focus all your effort/money on the tailgate itself if needed.

Fingers crossed there is nothing going on underneath the sensor. There’s no visual evidence that anything is rusting besides the metal bracket, but it’s curious why those are corroding in the first place.

Worst case the lift gate is rusting and I will need to get a body shop involved. Not a visible, exterior part of the car so not the end of the world.