Two days ago Road Test Editor Josh Jacquot blogged about a clunk in the FJ's rear suspension. Well, I've fixed it.
Turns out it wasn't the rear suspension after all. Instead it was a loose section roof rack making the racket...
The FJ's optional roof rack is made of stationary tubular bars and four adjustable and movable bows that make up its span. Each bow has clamps on either end that grab the metal bars. Somehow the clamps on both ends of one bar basically disintegrated, leaving the bow flopping around loosely. Luckily, enough of the bow was left for it to stay contained within the rack instead of flying off into traffic. For now we're left with three bows, which doesn't seem to affect the racks usability. We'll address the problem with the bow at the truck's next scheduled service.
Inside Line Executive Editor Scott Oldham, 15,327 miles
desmolicious says:
01:16 PM, 09/27/06
Could that have happened when it was used as a photographer's platform?
thebigal says:
09:21 PM, 09/27/06
if so, than wouldn't that have voided the warranty ??
billt9 says:
10:04 PM, 09/27/06
possible damage from parking in the garage?
rsholland says:
07:01 AM, 09/29/06
I think the rack is rated for for 165 pounds, at the most. So if someone with camera gear was standing on it...