Just a question

Can someone please explain TSB Barnie style please .

 

Technical Service Bulletins, or TSBs, are recommended procedures for repairing vehicles. Not to be confused with recalls, a TSB is issued by a vehicle manufacturer when there are several occurrences of an unanticipated problem. TSBs can range from vehicle-specific to covering entire product lines and break down the specified repair into a step-by-step process. While sometimes written by engineers employed by OEM's, the majority are authored by the first automotive technician to come up with a repair procedure. Because certain problems may have more than one cause or there are sometimes more than one way to fix a problem, it's somewhat common for there to be more than one TSB for the same problem.
One major difference between a recall and a TSB in the automotive industry is that a recall usually evolves out of safety issues at the behest of an organization like the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The ensuing recall maintenance/repair work is usually done at no charge to the car owner, regardless of the car's warranty status. Dealers are usually under no mandate to call in cars for which there are TSBs to do the related repairs. Nor is there an obligation to do the TSB repairs for free or at reduced charges to the owner.
Some benefits of an automotive TSB are that by widely circulating among dealership service departments and mechanics an engineering-level description and solution for a problem common to type, year, make or model of car, a well-managed TSB process can save technicians troubleshooting time, provide organized, itemized repair procedures, and standardize the repair process. This can also enhance the quality of the maintenance since it tends to be supported by repair history and high-level diagnostic procedure decisions.


Thanks Wikipedia. a lot of people refer to the TSB leaf springs as just THE TSB, kinda confusing I guess. the TSB springs have an extra leaf

 

Cool Thank you, Yea this question came up because I just installed this lift kit on my 2013 DCLB 4x4;

http://toyteclifts.3dcartstores.com/Bilstein-Adjustable-lift-kit-with-5100-shocks_p_132.html

but needed to get the TSB AAL, because of this;

** SOME Tacoma models with a total of 4 leafs (3 main leafs, 1 overload) in the rear leaf pack require our TSB AAL- Part # TAC-AL-TSB. Please count how many leafs you have before ordering **

But i had no idea why, but still went ahead and got it. I guess its just confusing for me...

 

doesn't matter so much. the TSB AAL from toytec is supposed to give you 1.5" of lift, the regular AAL is advertised as 2". you can use the TSB AAL on the non TSB leafs and vice versa

 

So TSB is just for troubleshooting purposes? For the mechanics?

 

not really, well i guess you could say that. i would say it is a known issue or problem that the auto manufacturer recognizes with a vehicle, but not serious enough or a big enough problem for it to be a recall. take the leaf springs for example. not everyone who owns a Tacoma has a problem with the leaf springs being weak, some people may even like the soft ride and not put a lot of weight in it so its not an issue for them. on the other hand, a lot of people who actually use their beds might have an issue with the springs. Toyota keeps those people happy and issues a TSB, now you go to the dealership, complain about the springs, truck is under warranty, and the dealership determines you have a "harsh ride" then they have to replace the leaf springs for free with the stronger "TSB" leaf spring pack. some trucks come with the stronger springs from the factory also, but not all of them
Also TSBs are public info. If you think something isn't right with your vehicle you can look through the TSBs and see if it is a known issue with a solution

 

While we are at it, what does "FTW" stand for?

 

Lol. For the win

 

Heres a perfect example of a TSB
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/282589-wind-noise-2012-tacoma.html

 

Thanks guys for all the help