Corolla cross body flex

[Søren Hansen]

Hi all. 

We had our Corolla cross since February,  so far a great car. Only issue is the roof rail not fitting right. But there is a campaign for that. And is being taken care of. 

The other day I noticed another potential issue. 

When I park the car with the left rear wheel in a curb, the tailgate is harder to close, and you can feel the lock skrapping against the hook. Back on strait road, no problem. Seems like some kind of body flex. 

Any one of you that has expired the same ? 

Kindly Søren 

[FROSTYBALLS]

The UK doesn't have the Corolla Cross, and, as the majority of members are in the UK, replies may be limited.

Please update your profile to include the Cross.

[APS]

I've not got a Corolla Cross but I'd agree with you. Sounds like flexing of the body. Particularly when you park with just one wheel on the curb as this puts the most torsional twisting force into the Shell. I'd expect that you might also be able to notice some changes in how the other doors open and shut when you do this. 

This used to be much more common and pronounced on older cars. But it's not eliminated in newer cars. The Corolla Cross is not quite the little hatchback the Corolla once was and with size and weight comes more flex.

[Søren Hansen]

APS.

So you would assume it's normal ? 

[Søren Hansen]

19 minutes ago, APS said:

I've not got a Corolla Cross but I'd agree with you. Sounds like flexing of the body. Particularly when you park with just one wheel on the curb as this puts the most torsional twisting force into the shell. I'd expect that you might also be able to notice some changes in how the other doors open and shut when you do this. 

This used to be much more common and pronounced on older cars. But it's not eliminated in newer cars. The Corolla Cross is not quite the little hatchback the Corolla once was and with size and weight comes more flex.

Thanks for your reply. So you would assume it's normal? 

[Cyker]

That sounds kinda bad; One of the things Toyota were very proud of is the increased structural rigidity in the new TNGA platform cars - Maybe someone forgot some of the structural adhesive in yours?  

I definitely feel the chassis in my Mk4 Yaris is far stiffer than any previous Yaris.

 

[APS]

21 minutes ago, Søren Hansen said:

Thanks for your reply. So you would assume it's normal?

Yes, I do.

If it was a fault, it would only really be down to missed spots welds or missing chassis bracing. This would be highly unlikely to not have been picked up during production. Of course, if you are unsure, you could compare your car to one at your local dealer perhaps. But the likelihood of a fault is incredibly small.

Toyota did make a lot of noise about TNGA resulting in far stiffer cars. But, as I mentioned, the C. Cross is neither a small car nor a sports car, so some flex is to be expected.

It's all relative. Back in the days, if you jacked up a larger car by one corner, it was not uncommon that you could not open and close the driver's or passenger doors. Progress has been made since...

[Søren Hansen]

1 hour ago, Cyker said:

That sounds kinda bad; One of the things Toyota were very proud of is the increased structural rigidity in the new TNGA platform cars - Maybe someone forgot some of the structural adhesive in yours?  

I definitely feel the chassis in my Mk4 Yaris is far stiffer than any previous Yaris.

 

Well. I'm not exactly trilled about me discovery either. 

[Søren Hansen]

1 hour ago, APS said:

Yes, I do.

If it was a fault, it would only really be down to missed spots welds or missing chassis bracing. This would be highly unlikely to not have been picked up during production. Of course, if you are unsure, you could compare your car to one at your local dealer perhaps. But the likelihood of a fault is incredibly small.

Toyota did make a lot of noise about TNGA resulting in far stiffer cars. But, as I mentioned, the C. Cross is neither a small car nor a sports car, so some flex is to be expected.

It's all relative. Back in the days, if you jacked up a larger car by one corner, it was not uncommon that you could not open and close the driver's or passenger doors. Progress has been made since...

It all makes sense. And agree it's highly unlikely that it's limited to my car alone. 

I do however think that the adjustment of the tail gate might have something to say. I can se the lock mechanism is adjuset a bit more to the right of the hook then left. 

I also noted that if I park with the right rear wheel on the curb instead of the left. There is no issue. 

[Chippy01]

Which model of Corolla Cross do you have? Is it a 1.8 or a 2L engine.
What are the different C. Cross engines/trim levels in your country?

I only ask because here in Ireland there is a different rear suspension set up between the 1.8 and the 2L, and that may have some bearing on the amount of body flex with one rear wheel or the other up on a kerb.

That being said, I have a 1.8 Cross, and have found no issues with the electric tailgate in my model, but then again I have always parked on level ground.

[Søren Hansen]

2 minutes ago, Chippy01 said:

Which model of Corolla Cross do you have? Is it a 1.8 or a 2L engine.
What are the different C. Cross engines/trim levels in your country?

I only ask because here in Ireland there is a different rear suspension set up between the 1.8 and the 2L, and that may have some bearing on the amount of body flex with one rear wheel or the other up on a kerb.

That being said, I have a 1.8 Cross, and have found no issues with the electric tailgate in my model, but then again I have always parked on level ground.

You can get both the 2.0 and 1.8 here I'm Denmark. Ours Is a 2.0

You are right that there is a difference between the rear axles used. I'm not 100% sure. But if I remember correct, the 2.0 liters have a independent suspension rear axle like the corolla sport teurer. While the 1.8 has a torsion beam style rear exle. 

How do you like your cross so far ? 😊

[Chippy01]

3 hours ago, Søren Hansen said:

How do you like your cross so far ? 😊

It's ideal for my needs.
I had a 2019 Corolla Saloon before the Cross, and was starting to have issues getting in and out of it. (Age related back problems)
My car was due for a change, and I opted for the Cross as it was so much easier to use, and the seats have improved greatly over the Saloon too.
My partner has a Yaris Cross, and although very capable, I found it a bit small after the Corolla.
I looked at a Rav4, but they have grown too big (for me) over the years.
The Corolla Cross fitted the bill perfectly.
I think this Cross is going to be with me for a long time.....