(ok so they are actually bolts)but anyway my trunk latch has been working funny for a while, it sticks and I finally decided to do something about it(my original plan was to try and clean them off or see how badly corroded the were). So i decided to try and take them off. Bad idea, I get a wrench and slowly start turning "snap" the top of the bolt falls off with half of the tread still in it. Now im in trouble. I try the next on this time with rust penatrator stuff slowly turning again "SNAP again". Same thing the 2nd bolt breaks in half leaving the thread halfway in again. Now im mad so i decide that tyhe third on will most likel break too. If i try to take off the third one and i breaks the trunk might not stay shut so i decide to go to the dealership to see if i can buy the 3 bolts. I arrive at the dealership and bring in the heads of the 2 broken bolts. The guy can't figure out from the little drawing on the screen what i need. It was the same stupid pic that was in my toyota service manual. Finally he does and they are going to cost me $1.40 a bolt. But, they are going to have to order them and they won't come in until friday. Then he tells me they are on back order and won't come in for another 2 weeks. I leave. I go to Home depot and buy a drill bit and tap remover(they came in a little kit). I then went to O'Rileys and get the new bolts M6x1.0 1 inch long. I then go home an low and behold i the third on breaks off. I then drilled all three and pulled them out. I spray the inside of the entire door with wd40. It took me a total of 6 hours of finding parts and work. Is anybody else having problems with the metal screws and bolts on their 3rd generation corroding. Its not just on the trunk but on all different bolts and nuts throughout the 4runner. Maybe its because mine is a 1996 and the lady befor me lived in Pennsylvanian where it snows and they salt the roads.

 

Mine has spent 10 years in PA winters and mine aren't that bad. Are you sure your Runner wasn't submerged in the ocean for a while? What bolts are you talking about? Must be a 3rd Gen thing?

 

The ones on the locks for the hatch. I did buy the car used who knows maybe this is the only only 4runner to have traversed the atlantic.