Painful trip to the dealer today

Probably 3 months ago I began to notice a periodic humming noise at highway speeds that got faster as speed increased...took my Taco to the dealer for diagnosis and here is what they came up with:

Bad Left Rear Wheel Bearing
Bad Water Pump
Bad Drive Belt
Bad Steering Rack
Needs Power Steering Flush
Needs Alignment
Bad Trans Tail Shaft Seal
Needs Break Fluid Flush
Mass Air Flow Sensor Service
Fuel Induction Service

All in it's just short of $5000. Think it may be time to trade in the Tacoma.

 

that's nonsense. you can do most of that on your own

 

Is it paid off? The brake fluid you can do yourself fairly easily, the last 2 things I am calling BS, and you can probably skip the power steering flush. That should cut some of the expense.
If it's paid off and in good shape I'd keep it,maybe try an independent, non dealer shop and see if the price for repairs is cheaper?

 

Bad Left Rear Wheel Bearing - contact @BamaToy1997 for a deal

Bad Water Pump - local mechanic

Bad Drive Belt - really dude?

Bad Steering Rack - local mechanic

Needs Power Steering Flush - on your own,
plenty of writeups on tw

Needs Alignment - firestone lifetime alignmens for a little over $120 and never worry about it again

Bad Trans Tail Shaft Seal - local mechanic

Needs Break Fluid Flush - on your own, plenty of write ups on here

Mass Air Flow Sensor Service - on your own.

Fuel Induction Service - meh

 

lol.. Sounds like you need to find a different dealer as evident by them trying to sell you a new steering rack AND a power steering flush.

 

The MAF only needs to be replaced if you have a CEL... Water pump replacement can be done with basic tools, but you need to check if its truly bad or not?

 

Wheel bearing is causing your noise so get that fixed.
Why is the water pump "bad"? Leaking? Noisy?
Why is the drive belt "bad"? Cracked? Frayed?
Why is the steering rack "bad" Leaking? Excessive Play? Noisy?
Why is the trans tail shaft seal "bad"? Leaking? Noisy?

 

They said leaking.

 

You're getting hosed.

 

Oh, and dont forget to fix all those issues before you trade it in.

Dont want the next guy to take all that burden

 

Gotta ask:

Has any of the work recommended been accomplished previously?

Are you the original owner?

How many miles are on it?

Any previous damage?

How well has other routine maintenance been followed/accomplished?

What area of the world has the truck lived?

What's its typical use?

I guess I'm just interested in knowing a little history on a 7 year old Taco that "needs" this work.

 

I'm the original owner. As mentioned in the original post it has 61K miles.

I've used on rough roads a few times, but never "wheelin". Mostly it's been on road and has been used to pull a good sized trailer for several thousand miles, but always under the towing capacity and mostly on highways.

The truck has been mostly in the southwest US - Arizona and Nevada, with a year and a half in Kansas City area.

I did the 30,000 mile check at a dealer, a bit late (40K miles). The services intervals in between are pretty basic...so, I've done oil changes myself. I probably could have rotated the tires more frequently, but I can't imagine that would contribute to these issue.

I did have a hit in the parking lot when a moron tried to pull into the space next to me swung wide and caused damage to behind and in front of the left rear wheel. I suppose that *might* have caused some damage to this bearing because there were some marks on the tire. But, it seems like I would have noticed problems long before now...

 

If I trade it in, I'll be honest with the dealer...then it's on them. Why would I fix a truck that may end up in the scrap yard?

 

Looks like @BamaToy1997 is in FL...how can he help?

 

not in person. look up his threads. youll see why.

 

Sorry you're having issues Dave. Your usage, with possable exception of the ding to the left side, is less & lighter than any Toyota truck I've owned. Seems it's either a dealer wanting in your pocket or you own a lemon (not in legal terms). I really think I'd seek a second opinion.

OR

Have you been able to isolate the scorce of the noise? The only reason you actually visited the dealer, if I read & understood your OP? If so, & without evidence of other issues, I'd fix the noise and drive on.

As far as disclosing information to a dealer on trade in, I'd be sure the diagnosing dealer is being honest and correct & really think twice before I fell on my sword.

 

the dealer didn't recommend a blinker fluid flush?

 

Fix it and drive it Dave.
A local mechanic will be a lot cheaper if you don't want to do it yourself and it will be a hell of a lot cheaper than a new truck.

 

Seriously??? Why would a 2009 Tacoma with 61K end up in the scrap yard.....one that lived it's life in a mostly desert climate (no rust)? At first I thought you were getting hosed by your dealer but after you saying it may end up in the scrap yard I'm calling B.S. Just my opinion

 

I grew up in a shop, so I've got a lot of experience in the automotive field, and the only reasons I'd ever set foot in a dealer are:
A) I'm buying a vehicle
2) I'm buying a part I can't find on the interwebs
III) To take a steamy shit on a sales desk

If I can't do it, it goes to a decent family shop. Period.