Toyota installs a defective frame under my truck

I may have missed it on here somewhere but, take it to a body/frame shop and pay them the $100 to to a frame alignment measurements and geometry. Take the trucks frame geometry and have a lawyer write a letter certified letter to both the dealership and corporate demanding correction.

A frame shop will have better tools for measurement than a 4 wheel alignment will.

*edit - the frame shop can probably quote you the fix too, for reference.

 

Is it possible that the human error was installing one of the rear spring packs in the wrong hole on the perch?
Not sure if all perches have multiple holes.

http://eastcoastgearsupply.com/images/F54373.jpg

 

Can't cost that much to have a lawyer draft a serious threat letter. Corporate will pay attention to you then.

 

This^.

 

yrs ago it was discovered that gm trucks had crooked frames...
the back wheels did nt track inline w/the front..they crabbed down the road.
ppl were pissed.

gm said the vehicles were safe and didnt cause any concern zept visually..
they did nothing about it and that was that

 

They also have teams of lawyers that will bat you around like a shuttlecock until you do not have the money to proceed over a few hundred dollars. If you were going to pursue legal action the best bet would be small claims court as they would most likely pay to keep from having to appear

 

I'll get the thrust alignment done, but I'm not sitting on my hands.
right now I just want to make sure Toyota doesn't do this to anyone else.
(that's why I'm posting up)

 

Yeah, I don't think anyone thinks you're sitting around.... If you can afford to have the truck sit while battling, cool. But if not, like most of us prolly, you can likely at least get it corrected and safe and back on the road for a lil chunk of change.

 

I considered that, but then why are the body mounts not located consistently with the spring mounts on the frame?

 

I'd get the thrust alignment and see if it can be brought into spec. If it's impossible to do so and i'd have a lawyer draft a letter saying that you don't feel comfortable driving it after the repairs and that in the event of an accident related to vehicle control you (or your estate) would be likely to investigate Toyota's liability. Also state what reasonable repairs you would want done (buy back, new frame, etc). Send copies via registered mail to the dealership owner and Toyota corporate. If nothing else you'll get their attention and have it on record.

 

I was not inferring that you were, I apologize if it came across that way it was just meant as a blanket statement, not accusation. Sorry if I came across as an arse, it was certainly not meant that way

 

it was my understanding, and I could be wrong, that the settlement was only on the second gens and the 01-04 was a voluntary program by Toyota

 

This would be my approach to the situation, A lawyer would love to tell future clients that he/she beat Toyota and won your case.

 

Did you sign something already after you received your truck back from Toyota w/ the new frame? Something like releasing them from any responsibility or liability or do you get the original warranty that comes w/ a brand new truck when you have the frame replaced? Therefore the warranty should cover any part of the truck no matter what.

 

While they may not be required to do the replacement once they do I would think they would be held responsible for the quality of the work. I would do as suggested with the frame check, if it is in fact out of spec have it repaired then send the dealership the bill. If the dealership did not want to pay it file in small claims court for the amount of the repair there is a very high probability that they will pay it rather than showing up

 

Any word on status yet? Where are you on steps taken?

 

I would just fix it and be done!!

Who can say just what happened.

Although it is possible it was done on purpose to hit Toyota even more in the Wallet

It would only take a few to have everyone need to be brought in and inspected .

I am waiting it might not be long till they leave the American Market

I would love to see this in person I most likely could see just what happened

How did the 2 techs doing the frame swap not see the problem ??

 

My first thought was the possibility that a leaf spring was reversed front to back (look for the eyelet with the full or partial military wrap, that should be forward). But from the photos it does look like the hangers aren't positioned the same. But I'm also not 100% sure frames are supposed to be symmetrical or not. The factory manual has the diagrams and you referenced those, so I tend to agree it's a QC issue. I like the idea of having a frame shop look at it and preferably one familiar with Tacomas.

 

Fyi you need to be really careful if you.end up driving on any sort of slick condition, snow or black ice!!! That axle being that far off will send you into a spin or at the least it will try and kick out the rear end in the direction the axle is now pointing! It will also start to really eat up your rear tires!