[ThuntDon]

I've now purchased two replacement rear door dampers. I have a 2013 FJ TT, which had a good door damper until about 6-9 months ago, it started to stick and move roughly. So I purchased a replacement one "Stay Sub-Assembly, Back Door Damper, Left Part# 68907-35081" The first one I ordered from my local Toyota dealer, the second from YOTA Direct Parts. Both have the same problem. As the door closes completely, there is quite a bit of resistance. It feels like more springy action (for want of a better term). If I continue till door latches, as door is opened again ,the damper falls off the door side of the damper! I thought I had damaged the little clips that help hold the ball into the joint, that's why I went and spent more on a second one. Well it happens with the second one also. The best reason I can come up with, is that the new damper is a bit longer than the original, and is forced out of the joint while completely closed. Has any one else had this problem? Has the actual damper length changed with the newer versions of the FJ? I suppose I can elongate the holes where the ball is mounted on the door. I hate to leave the damper off the door, because without it, the only thing stopping the door from opening too far are the hinge stops. Note this is the rear door, not the small passenger doors.
Thanks for any wisdom, Don

 

[Lawtoolguy]

Hey Don,

Have you checked the hinges on the door. Our 07 started having issues with the door not closing tight unless you close it harder then normal. I grabbed the door from the bottom and lifted and noticed it has a little play in the hinges. After looking at the catch point on the vehicle I noticed a slight groove being worn. Yours maybe worse and could be sloppy.
For me it’s not a priority Since she drives the same.

Hope this helps,

Tim

 

[thuntdon_5912]

Hey Don,

Have you checked the hinges on the door. Our 07 started having issues with the door not closing tight unless you close it harder then normal. I grabbed the door from the bottom and lifted and noticed it has a little play in the hinges. After looking at the catch point on the vehicle I noticed a slight groove being worn. Yours maybe worse and could be sloppy.
For me it’s not a priority Since she drives the same.

Hope this helps,

Tim

Lawtoolguy,
Thanks for the suggestion, however I did get a solution, it seems that the ladder that I had installed several years ago, had a interferance with the new set of dampers. Fixing the problem with the ladder solved my problem. Thanks again for your suggestion.
Don

 

[Bucksnort]

Gents,
My problem with the door damper on my 2012 is that when I open the rear door it automatically locks causing me to push it to close the door. This just started a couple weeks ago.

 

[FabricGATOR]

Gents,
My problem with the door damper on my 2012 is that when I open the rear door it automatically locks causing me to push it to close the door. This just started a couple weeks ago.

Did you figure this out?
Are you fully unlocking the lock mechanism, it should click when you release it.