Rear Differential needs replaced....60,231 miles

I just took my truck into the dealer, 2013 TRD Sport 4 wheel drive 4.0 DCLB with factory tow package, to have the 4 wheel drive and transfer case service done yesterday. I also had this service done at 30,000 as well as I tow my camper, 2800 lbs, 4500-7000 miles a yr. I waited for them to finish with my truck and everything seemed fine on my drive home. This morning I get in and head for Home Depot and there is a weird howling/whirring noise coming from the rear end. I take it back to the same dealer and describe what I am hearing...about 45 mins later they come to me and tell me the rear differential needs to be replaced asap....they said they have to wait for parts, 3-4 days from L.A. and should have my truck back to me sometime middle of next week...its not safe to drive so into a loaner and off I go. I realize shit happens and life goes on and all but this really shouldnt be happening with low milage like this. I have never abused my truck and most of the miles are highway miles. I have been fighting amd arguing over my AC not really blowing cold air from the day I got the truck so finally they are going to look into whats going on with that while they have it too. Toyota is really not building these trucks like they use to.

 

I'd guess the oil change tech didn't refill the diff - just a guess.

 

Bummer. Is that covered under warranty? How much did they say it would cost if not? Did they say what caused it?

 

Yes the fluid was filled, that was the first obvious this checked and yes it will be covered under warranty...they are puzzled as to what has caused it.

 

I'd agree that what @58 Siesta suggests is at least suspect. Too bad you can't get your hands on it to verify.

But I'd sure be looking the service writer right in the eye and asking the question. 'Overnight' failure, right at the time of a 2nd lube change, is highly suspect.

 

Glad for you it's under warranty. But did YOU see the fluid was good? If not, I still suspect they hosed it up and are going to let Toyota eat it for them.

 

I kind of have my suspisions as well but without any type of proof what can you do...I guess be glad its betting fixed

 

"Needs replaced" is baby talk. "Needs to be replaced" is what you mean to say. I see this gibberish constantly online. Why, for the love of God, why? It grates on my last nerve.

/endrant

 

Glad you got it covered under warranty. Did they make a stink of the truck being over 60k?

 

Not sure what your getting at as needs to be replaced is exactly what I did state

 

No they didnt make a stink about it

 

This is why I like to do my own maintenance. First of all I know that the maintenance was really performed (not just on paper). Second I know it's been done correctly, and I know who to blame if something goes wrong!

 

This was my first thought

 

You sound like a fun guy.

 

Seems a bit too coincidental but at the end of the day the dealer did the right thing.

Since you change your fluid so often you should figure out how to do it yourself going forward.

 

No noises or weirdness in the rear before they serviced it?

 

I agree doing it myself would eliminate problems so I am definately going to look into doing it myself for sure

 

Well my last trip out I thought I had heard some noise but it didnt persist so just let it go as road noise

 

Will the be replacing axle bearings also?

 

I have no idea but I am suppose to be getting a call later today to confirm what they are doing