Rear Differential locked up while doing 55MPH

No, not even close

My 2017 is a much much much better vehicle than anything produced in 1982.

 

That's fine. You don't have to believe it. But it is, and is a major complaint I've seen of 3rd gens. Even people in this thread have told you their's was low from factory

 

I agree . I read about it here and checked mine . Both front and rear were low . Maybe it is not talked about as much because there is no symptom (besides failure) so it is not worried about . Unlike the trans that does have symptoms .

 

I don't have an opinion on whether low differential fluid is a widespread problem.

I can say that I checked mine after I brought it home from the dealership on day one and it was filled correctly. I wasn't going to trust them to fill it right after reading all of the threads on transmissions being low so I checked it. I'm glad I checked it because I can say with authority that the loud howling noise my first and second differentials made/make has nothing to do with fluid levels.

 

It's not talked about as much cause the majority of people don't even know where the differential is located on their Tacoma's, much less how to check the fluid themselves. The people here on TW are the weird ones who like their trucks and discover this stuff when they do their own maintenance.

EDIT-and people assume on a brand new vehicle, things like this are checked before being sold

 

I'm skeptical that this actually happened. Would like to know the sequence of events besides, "I lost control but recovered."

EDIT: Nevermind, he doesn't have a locker, he just lost control.

 

His rear end locked up, meaning the differential blew up which would lock the tires and send you into a tailspin. I haven't read the whole thread but it sounds like something that would happen if you were low or didn't have any fluid in your diff.

 

I don't think so.

 

I don't think you don't think so.

 

So you mentioned that you had the truck in several times for the brake issue. During diagnosis would then have pulled an axle or did anything to drain fluid? Or, was it all wiring harness?

Glad to hear you are ok, all these 3rd gen thread make me uneasy about trading in my 15 for a 17.

 

If we weren't lazy we would have read his dif fluid some how drained out.

 

Changed my diff fluid to amsoil 75/90, mine was a little less than a quart low.Filled it with 4 quarts of the fresh stuff till it started to trickle out the fill hole.Mine still howls and makes the noises too.So different fluid and filling it up doesn't fix the issue.I changed mine out for reassurance and peace of mind,but Toyota still needs to do their part and fix all the issues and stop sugar coating shit.Fuck you Toyota and get it right for a change.Oh told me mine is normal along with other issues that's why I have this fuck you attitude with them.

 

I think the problem is that it is not universal. You and I have the same truck but mine is a 2017, you have howling and I don't but parts are the same..

 

How do you know they are the same parts? They could be from different batches or different suppliers.

 

Not what I was referring to but that is a good point but in theory should all be built to the same specs and as such will be monumental in determining if it's a batch or supplier.

 

If theory always worked out, there would rarely be any issues at all.

 

With today's manufacturing process/technology is there any reason not to? I would think that if it was truly a supplier or batch it could be narrowed down, no? Certainly with over 200k trucks on the road. Seems exceptional to me.

I've also read of people having them replaced only to have the same noise.

 

Sure, it could be narrowed down. Just pointing out that it's likely your truck doesn't have the same parts in it as another truck. Even if we assume it's a highly automated gear hobbing process (likely rough cast and finished machined), you still don't know the tolerance stack that might lead to issues on a limited number of units. Nothing is perfect. The more they make the move likely it is to cross the tolerance stack up issue.

 

How do you check the level on the rear diff? I'm told by the dealer that it's a closed system

 

The automatic trans is a "closed system," but the rear diff is just a drain bolt and a fill bolt. To check the level, take out the fill bolt and look/feel. If the fluid is up to the opening, you're good.