New TRD Sport carrier bearing leak?

Hey I just bought my first Tacoma on Friday. I was looking underneath it and noticed some fluid on the carrier bearing. I wiped it off yesterday and it looked like this again today. It doesn't look like there is anything leaking anywhere else. Are they supposed to be sealed and greased?

 

I thought it was greased as well, I don't see signs of fluid anywhere else, and the boot is very easy to push in, doesn't really feel like it's filled with anything. I'm not sure if it's related, but I get a pretty abnoying vibration seperate from the normal buzz a lot of them get in the steering wheel 2,000-2,400 rpm, the vibration is seperate and comes more so at speed and you feel it in the seat, it's really abnoying, but I don't think it's tire balancing because it doesn't go away at 80

 

Its just a support bearing and it may just be releasing some condensation or anti corossion coating, it's not supposed to retain fluid, therefore if it doesnt leak anymore its not an issue.

 

Annoying vibration at 2K-2.4K rpm is a common complaint. Suggest taking a look around here for solutions.... First thing I'd be doing is taking it back to the dealer and taking the service mgr for a ride and document the vibration. Then have then check the tranny fluid and lube the drive line. Don't let them NOT do the lube or the tranny fluid check .. get a loaner for the day. Show them the fluid on the bearing... that doesn't look right. Maybe they felt the vibration and tried to "cure" it with something not appropriate for a carrier bearing.

 

I called and they basically told me that I needed to wait 2 hours while they diagnosed is before they would consider giving me a loaner. I just bought the truck Friaday, that's kinda crappy if you ask me. I could understand if it wasn't just a few days old. I haven't done my survey yet that they put so much of an emphasis on so this may have to be included in it

 

Honestly I think that could be just some residual assembly oil or something. I would wipe it off and keep an eye on it but I think it's OK. Check the air pressure in all four tires first thing. It is kind of a bummer about the dealer and I agree since you just purchased they should be a little more understanding but try to avoid the dealer if possible they seem to create more problems than they fix

 

Yeah I was kinda thinking that's what it is, just an odd place, it looks wet around the seal too like it was leaking from there. The main reason why I was concerned is the stupid vibration, it seems like it's bouncing almost. I test drove a different truck and it didn't feel like that. I feel it in the seat and my head, and it's completely seperate from the vibration that seems to be a comon problem tied to rpm. Almost the same as tired being out of balance, however this doesn't go away at higher rpm, it seems to be better on a really smooth road so I think it's something in the suspension. And I've had plenty of trucks/ 4wd trucks, it's not just normal stuff suspension feel.

 

I dropped the truck off yesterday afternoon and still haven't heard anything. I think it's absolutely ridiculous that you can't talk to Toyota service departments and you get sent to a call center. Not sure if all of them are like that or not, but it sucks. I just called and they told me I wouldn't even be able to get an update today because there wasn't anyone available to answer my questions inks at the dealership. I talked to the technician when I dropped it off and he said he's never seen the carrier bearing look like that before and he was going to take pictures to send to Toyota. He also told me that the u joints weren't greased and there were no fittings to grease them .

 

Wow....

 

Every story I hear of toyota dealers leaves me scratching my head.

 

He told you the u joints didn't have grease in them and that yours had no fittings? What? Like they were missing the zerk fittings or the wrong type were installed? And if they didn't have fittings how did he know they weren't greased without complete disassembly of the drive shafts?

Unless your u joints are wrong or all the zerks are mysteriously missing, man, if he would have told me that and was the one in charge of working on my truck I would have just asked for it back and gone somewhere else.

 

No he said that Tacomas didn't have zerks so you could grease them. It was when we were Both looking under the truck so when I told him it did he reached his hand up there and saw that it did. Figured they should know stuff like that though. Anyone else have to go through call centers instead of talking to someone at the dealership in the service center? Part of the problem is the reason why I bought my truck there is they have a lifetime power train warranty and also do free oil changes for life

 

Just got a call from the dealership. They said the leak was assembly lube heating up and dripping out, its normal. The transmission fluid was 1 qt low, u-joints weren't greased at all. The truck had 550 miles on it, so I wonder what kind of wear that put on things. They had to drive it because they didn't have the one I wanted. They said the bouncing was caused by the tires being inflated to 36 psi instead of the Toyota recommended 29 psi. That's the way I got the truck. They also told me they couldn't duplicate the vibration in the stering wheel.

 

Dealer overinflates tires here too. Must be Toyota trying to eek out higher gas mileage because they know these engines on average are getting not much better than 2nd gen

 

Transmission definitely shifts better now, some of the bouncing is gone, but they couldn't duplicate the vibration in the steering wheel. Wierd thing is when the service manager told me they couldn't duplicate it they said I can bring it back next week and ride with a technician. Very next thing after that was "they might have to get Southeast Toyota involved". Why would they even mention that after just one visit unless they already knew about it, and knew it was an issue. Sounds like they are given a script of what to tell people. Oh well

 

What's wheels and tires are on your truck? Is it a special package?

 

I have the 4x4 sport, just the standard sport wheels and tires

 

You're good for now... don't let those dumb F's mess with it..... You'll be good... (after YOU check the diffs. and transfer case for proper fluid level)..!

OH... and torque your U bolts to 52 ft/lbs...

 

Sounds like I was right on the money , told you check the air pressure