Rear Leaf Spring TSB - Dealer screw up :(

Hey guys....I'm fairly new here. I drive a 2009 Toyota Tacoma that I bought new in January 2009. I have had absolutely no problems with my truck so far, and I don't think this current issue classifies as a problem with the truck. This is more of a huge mistake on the dealership's part.

I took my truck in today to have the Rear Leaf Spring TSB performed, and on the way home I noticed a clunking sound when I went over bumps. I pulled over once to look the truck over (consisted of crawling on the ground to find the source of the problem). Didn't find anything so I continued my 15 mile drive home. I got home and spent about 30 minutes searching for the source of the problem. I only heard the noise while I was pushing down on the passenger side of the bed. Finally figured out that they had forgotten to replace the nut + washer that goes on the bolt that keeps the shock attached to the frame of the truck. This is on the bottom side of the shock.

What should I do from here? I'm not sure this is safe to drive...I'm pretty angry about driving 15 miles in this current condition. Only thing I can think of is to have it towed in on the dealership's dollar. I don't want to assume liability or anything by driving it in. What a huge inconvenience, and I just can't imagine what the mechanic was thinking.

Any comments, similar stories, or advice is welcome.

Thanks,
Jeff

 

thats one reason i have not had mine done yet,dealerships hire people that i just dont trust. and i also thought the rear shocks and front struts where also supposed to be replaced,looks like the old shock?

 

Where's the clunk coming from...is the bolt loose w/in the housing (I agree that w/o the washer and nut it's less-than-safe...but I can't figure out what you're hearing)?

 

I would go back and tell them about it. For now I would put on a nut and washer.

 

I have a friend who had some work done on a truck of his and the shop forgot to put a bolt back on the drive shaft and it came off completely while driving in the HRBT (Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel) and the shop assumed full responsibility because it was their fault... even paid for the damage to the vehicle that got hit by the shaft.
I'm not an expert but if they messed it up then they should be held responsible for it.
Hope this helps, Good Luck.

 

Should have turned right around and went back.

Call them tomorrow and they should pay for the tow back to the dealership.

 

The best I can figure is that the bolt is moving around alot (I'm a one man operation right now, so its pretty dang hard to push on the bed and watch the shock at the same time ) The sound was loud enough to be heard while taking turns. Going out of the parking lot over a small bump is when I heard it first. This was with windows up and radio on...

 

There should be three bolts... as long as the other two are torqued down it would probably be ok to drive back. Again though, liability wise should something occur (and now that you posted evidence you knew about it) it's better to have the dealer tow it on their dime to get it fixed. Sucks, but it's completely the mechanic's fault.

At least you caught it... if you were like me blast'n music the whole way home it could have been a week or two before I got it. (or hell maybe never for some peeps)

 

That sucks man...I agree w/the other repliers: Dealer should make this right. Let us know how it works out.

 

This was my first thought, but I don't have a nut to place on it. The best I could do is get a friend to come by and pick me up. I'm really leaning towards having it towed in after I call them up tomorrow morning. I feel like if they are a decent dealership, they'll tow it in no problem. I hate to see my first Taco tow be like this...

 

Where the bolt goes through the bracket on the rear end the hole is slightly bigger than the bolt. The same thing on the rear shock, the hole in the shock bushing is slightly bigger than the bolt. When you add the 2 together, there is enough play that you will hear it knocking/thumping when you go over a large bump or pothole. Since the dealer forgot the nut/washer on the bolt, make them tow it back and fix it. I was a ASE certified brake an chassis specialist for almost 15 years before the company I worked for (private shop) got bought out. The new owners went to a commission base pay system and I found another job working for South Western Bell in their fleet department. I can't stomach trying to rip off your own grandmother to make a living.
Fred.

 

I agree now that I should have turned around, but to be honest I didn't feel comfortable taking it back without knowing what it was. I hate getting the run around "oh we drove it, and can't replicate the problem". Knowing what I know now...you're right...should have taken it back.

 

Don't deliver it, get them to tow it on there dime. They made a huge mistake, make em pay. This is BS they're suppose to check there work. I got a 1-800 number I'd be phoning it if that happened to me. It's there problem. I could care less if it was a 10000 miles away.

 

I got 4 new shocks when they did the rear spring TSB. Why didnt they replace your shocks?

 

Correct me if I'm mistaken, but I believe the Sport edition already has the upgraded shocks and they do not replace them.

 

When you call them don't tell them what they screwed up. Just tell them something is not right after you picked it up. Tell em it's unsafe to drive. Tell them to send a flat deck tow truck.

 

You can drive the truck with the shock off. Take it off and drive it back.

 

x2 see if they tell the truth that they messed up. Or if they try and wiggle their way out of it. Then you know if they deserve your business. Take pictures with the news paper to show documentation.

 

Why would I even help them ? I got a card, it says call it even if it's just a flat tire. Man if they forgot a critical bolt off my truck I sure would not be to eager to help them. If you make a big shit about it it will never happen again. If you just play the game they will do the same thing to somebody else.

 

Because he has a TRD model and it is a 2009.