2009 Leaf Spring TSB and Possessed Radio

Dropped the 2009 Taco (Non-TRD with factory tow package) off at my dealership this morning to check out the radio and "harsh/unsafe ride with a 500 pound load while towing a pop-up camper". Decided to leave a printed copy of the TSB in the driver's seat with my VDS and leaf spring part numbers circled/highlighed with a yellow highlighter.

The Service lady called just before lunch to say that my "2009" was not covered by that TSB. I suggested the VDS and effected part numbers were covered regardless of the year shown in the TSB. The Service lady then said, "Your complaint said your were experiencing a harsh ride - did you experience any bottoming out?" I answered with a simple, "Yes". She then said, "That's all I needed to hear -- I will order the parts now and the Technician will perform the TSB tomorrow." Of course, the Technician already knew it was bottoming out...unless he was blind!!

I also pointed out the complete TSB included shocks and alignment. She assured me her Technician was VERY experienced with this TSB and will perform everything listed in it.

For my Service Department, it seems the right complaint is "my rear suspension is bottoming out with a small load".

It's uncertain if she will be able to get another radio...she couldn't answer my back-ordered question.

Thanks for all the wise advice you folks have given over the past weeks regarding the spring TSB for 2009s. Waving the printed TSB at the Service Desk demanding action might not have been so fruitful for me today.

Michael

 

Congrats, you will be much more satisfied with the truck after the TSB

 

Right on man! I wonder where she got the notion that '09 wasn't covered.

 

Hi ltcpipkin
Can you send me the TSB? Or tell me where i can download it? I have a 09 I bring it to the dealship to fix the rear windows water leak today. I talk to the service guy for this TSB. But he refuse to do it on mind.

 

Because it's NOT. The TSB says it applies to 05-08 truck with a specific part number for springs.

It's a nice thing for them to do it under the TSB...They could just keep swapping out 3 leaf springs until the TSB is updated in theory.

I'm glad that it worked out for the OP.

 

Are there some trucks 05-08 that don't have the problem? I've got any 06 and tow boats/trailers now and again & haven't really ever noticed a problem-Never bottomed out that I could tell. I do have the 3 leaf pack & it's never caused me any noticeable trouble. I'm way past the 36k and was wondering if I even need to upgrade. Is the tsb because some trucks have "weak" springs or are they just adding leafs to be on the safe side?

 

No...If it was a safety issue- There would be a recall. If you haven't noticed any problems then you don't need the TSB.

Trailering shouldn't cause an issues unless you have the tow package and FULLY load the trailer.

 

My issue on my Taco was when I towed my Boat on the highway going around 60mph the truck would not drive straight and I would have to compensate to keep the truck in the lane and eventually slow down.I explained to them (dealer)my concern as far as safety since my truck has the tow package and my boat weighs half the capacity, and they still refused the TSB.

 

Well, it seems I spoke too soon when I made this original posting. Everyone at my local Toyo Service Department agreed to do the 2007/2008 Leaf Spring TSB on my non-covered 2009. However, when they called the "Regional Service Guy" to obtain approval for payment, he approved ONLY replacing the 3-leaf to the 4-leaf spring. So, my "Service Director" called to tell me the bad news. Needless to say, a lengthy debate began. He would replace ONLY what the Regional guy approved (and would pay for). I told him to do nothing and that Toyota Corporate would be contacting him. Toyota's nationwide inconsistency regarding Regional Service Guys and Dealerships on this issue for the 2009 Taco was bugging the crap out of me. How could this guy acknowledge that I had the known problem, but offer me a partial solution?? I know, it's about making money not making the customer happy!!

I called the 800 number and told my tale about bouncing on the rubber stops for SIXTEEN hours with a small RV and a reasonable load in the bed. Lucky me got a random "upper manager" who he claims is required to man the bitch line periodically. I agreed the "2009" wasn't on the TSB, but the VDS matched, the affected part numbers for the leaf springs were on my truck, I was bouncing down the freeway on the rubber stops...and that I was unhappy as a "first-time" Toyota customer!! He listened dutifully and was incredibly nice (of course, that is his job). He took down my VIN, name, and story. He then put me on hold to do some "research" on my vehicle. When he returned 3-4 minutes later, he said that he had just spoken to my Service Director who had already taken my case back to the Regional Service Guy and they had agreed to perform the full TSB on my non-covered 2009. I started to reply , "How convenient!" Instead, I decided to return the same level of "niceness" to this 800 number guy and tell him I will thank my Service Director for going to bat for me with one of Toyota's Regional Bureaucrats.

Once that was solved, I started bitching him out for Toyota dragging their feel on adding the 2009 to this TSB. He told me something very interesting that I never knew...(of course, this is his understanding of his company's process!!)

"Toyota responds to the number of 'official' complaints from disgruntled customers. If a customer has a problem, they need to call the 800 number and describe their issue. Toyota creates a case number, all the case numbers are grouped according to issue, and when the bitching noise about a particular issue gets loud enough, toyota responds with a TSB change or recall or something. At the very least, these cases are passed to the engineers for consideration."

So guys, start dialing...the louder the unhappy Taco owners get, the better it will be for all of us. the number is in your owner's manual, but here it is anyway: 800-331-4331.

I hope to collect my newly suspensioned Taco this afternoon...thanks for sharing your experiences here. I don't think I would have been successful had I not learned from you.

Michael

 

Hey CNTMDC,
Your Taco looks great!
Could you post or send pics of your Nerf bars (brand?)and Tonneau cover?
Trying to decide which looks best before dropping some $$$
Thx!

 

i have an 09 but i dont have a trailer. im not sure if i plan on towing anything soon but i dont want to run into this issue after my warranty.

if i call or take it to the dealership, will they be looking for some type of evidence on the truck to show the wear or if the truck bottomed out? are there any documents that i should have handy?

 

Thanks for the compliment.The cover in a Undercover brand hard cover it's pretty strong and durable I purchased it used to save a little $,and the Nerf bars came from a local truck accessory place I don't know the brand I got it local because the one I bought from Ebay originally came defective and after returning it for credit the bastard stiffed me so Paypal refunded the original price but I ate the shipping twice, so I figured if something happened I could bitch to the local guy.I have more pics available on my user pics.Thanks again and good luck.

 

I opened my second case with Toyota last week and got a call from the local dealership on Wednesday. The dealership said that they would not be able to do anything without a Test Ride in the truck with it loaded.

Well this morning I loaded about 800 lbs of sand bags in the back of the truck and took it to the dealership for the "TEST RIDE".

The ride was through the back lot of the dealership and sure enough it bottomed out several times. The service tech agreed that it bottomed out.

We went back to the service manager and he said that he would speak with the regional manager. I made the service manager aware of the 05 - 08 TSB and he said he was aware of it, but started feeding me some BS about how the springs were redesigned. BS, because the springs on my truck have the same part number as the ones on the TSB.

I used all of the buzz words. "Harsh Ride" "Bottom Out" "Moderate Load of 600 LBS".

I am keeping my fingers crossed.

 

Atla512, do your homework and first call the Toyo 800 number to start a case. The words to use are in the previous post by TicketDoctor. Have a copy of your TSB in hand. Check that your VDS (fields 4-8 of the VIN) is listed on that TSB. Compare your leaf spring part numbers to the "old" part numbers on the TSB. Crawl under the Taco and make sure that you can "clearly" see the impressions that the rubber bumper stops make on the metal frame when it bottoms out. If you don't see those marks, then you need to find 500 pounds or so of rocks and a rough road. You don't need a trailer attached to cause the bottoming out symptom.

When discussing the TSB with the Toyo 800 number guy, agree that the TSB doesn't specifically address the 2009 (but should). Point out strongly, but politely, that the VDS matches, the 3 leaf spring numbers match, and that the bottoming out with a load is VERY bothersome and unsafe at highway speeds. Do not accept a partial solution. My Regional Rep guy tried to pass off just the leaf spring installation. The whole package for my PreRunner included new shocks and a front end alignment due to the height increase of the new leaf springs.

The keys to success for me were:

1. educate yourself about the issue - know more than they do about what is going on with your truck and the TSB. You will NOT believe the ignorant/hysterical responses you will get from these "technicians". Try to remain calm and not laugh out loud.
2. call the Toyo 800 number to start the process

Good luck,
Michael

 

Or you can try what some people did on this forum and went through www.bbb.org and filed a complaint. A toyota rep followed up with them a few days after. The rear spring TSB really depends on how cooperative the dealership is. Some say they had no problem getting their 09's done and other's like me had to jump through hoops to get it. The head technician at the dealership even said to me and it's printed on my report that the bottoming out was a normal function. Stick to your guns and don't let up and make sure that those bump stops are leaving marks on the stops before any inspection!