Toyota recalling 228,000 Tacoma's due to oil leaks and possible loss of control of vehicle

Ya I get it - didn't mean to come off like a dick. Thanks for sharing this.

 

So took my truck in for 15k service (glorified tire rotation). I mentioned the minor seepage I had noticed, they acknowledged the leak and ordered parts. Not on recall will be fixed under warranty, date TBD. Here is what will be replaced:

Also mentioned that my drivers seat is already starting to wear, was told it's "normal"
So, seat covers going back on indefinitely which is for the best anyway. Will update when diff is fixed or something else happens.
Truck is a July '16 build 2017 SR 4x4 5spd.

 

According to the second instructions, it looks like the problem is solved by installing new nuts that can be torqued to a higher value (28 ft-lbs) than the original nuts (18 ft-lbs) -- note the case of leak detected, but greater than 2 liters of differential oil. If that's the issue, it seems like they should replace the nuts even when there wasn't a leak, which was my case.

And I wonder if it would make sense to simply torque whatever nuts are on there (even the original nuts) to 28 ft-lbs. There is a warning against doing this, but that's not a whole lot of torque. Would there be a real danger of stripping the nut?

 

Some broke the stud when doing this. There were pics a while ago. But I don't see how different nuts prevent that so ya...

I just think we're all getting stroked by Toyota. You could look at my diff and see the seeping is minute. There's a full 2.0L of fluid in there I promise. Drain it, you'll see. Replace the gasket and some hardware, I'm back on the road. But nope. They'd rather keep paying for a Tundra loaner. Something's fishy with this ordeal.

 

I should add that after a good wash of my truck I noticed half a dozen hail dings on the roof. The service manager claims they haven't had any hail damage since April and can't explain the dents. He refused to take responsibility for it. On top of all that my loaner, a '17 highlander, got a cracked windshield on the 3rd day I had it. They quoted me $993.49 for a new one - aftermarket price. My American Family insurance policy doesn't have glass coverage and my deductible is $1000. So all in all this recall will end up costing me money.

 

Deny the crack like they deny the dings.

 

Ugh this is my fear. Not hail exactly, but damage in general. Too bad the windshield is a TRAC issue and the damage is against the dealer. Good luck.

 

this^^^

 

The 28 lb·ft specification for the new nuts is more likely related to the concurrent installation of a new gasket than anything magical about the nuts.

It is not at all unusual to "new assembly" and "reassembly" torque values for gasketed contrivances--the most widely known instance if this being gasketed spark plugs where the recommended torque for re-installation is 10 to 15% less than that for a new plug. New gaskets compress on assembly and a synthetic gasket such as that used in the rear carrier to axle housing juncture could also very likely "creep" for a time after initial assembly.

In fact this entire issue could be that they were not torqued to a higher "new assembly" torque when initially put together--which would explain the "if it's not leaking just torque the nuts to 18 lb·ft" remedy...

 

"Deny the crack like they deny the dings."

Absolutely...no way would I pay for a cracked windshield on a "loaner" vehicle. However, I did rent a car one time and got a cracked windshield which I would have had to pay to get replaced. I didn't have separate windshield coverage but it do now (not expensive at all to add as a rider with the insurer I use). I then wet the front of the vehicle and the windshield, threw dirt all over it, and returned the vehicle. The crack was not caught by the service writer and as soon as he signed the return release I was out of there. Never heard from them regarding this.

 

well its a mistake i made....it was a joke.....just like the toyota dealers

 

How would one know if this guideline was followed? Just wondering if this relates to the RTV repair somebody posted.

Technician Training Requirements
The repair quality of covered vehicles is extremely important to Toyota. All dealership technicians performing this repair are required to successfully complete the most current version of the E-Learning course “Safety Recall and Service Campaign Essentials”. To ensure that all vehicles have the repair performed correctly; technicians performing this repair are required to currently hold at least one of the following certification levels:
• Certified Technician (Chassis)
• Expert Technician (Chassis)
• Master Technician
• Master Diagnostic Technician​

 

One would have to ask their dealer as to the qualifications of the technician--or if sufficiently naive trust them.

IMHO there is nothing inherently wrong with the use of the RTV sealant--in fact in this particular situation I would likely use a thin smear of it on both sides of the gasket. However in the specific instance from this thread to which you refer I find the haphazard and slovenly (and potentially fraudulent) manner in which it was used to be of great concern...

 

But if there was only a small amount of fluid that leaked (so that there is > 2 liters in the differential), the tech bulletin does not call for a new gasket - only new nuts.

 

Yes it does. It calls for a new gasket and nuts--but not a new differential carrier assembly:

from the H0G campaign bulletin:


New nuts only would accomplish nothing as AFAIK the original nut's stripping has never been an issue--though studs have broken from over zealous torquing, and there are some reports of studs breaking while torquing the nuts (new or old) to 28 lb·ft; or 33 lb·ft which is the spec in some FSM torque tables (though 18 lb·ft is shown in the FSM diagrams)...

 

^^ this. All these trucks... Based on the pics I've seen here most are sweating, not dripping. I bet most have >2.0L. I can't even get info from Toyota or the dealer on if they drained mine yet or not. WTF? Seems like they need to do that to know which parts path to take. Maybe it's the gasket that's on back order so it doesn't matter? Or the nuts? Jeez.... I could understand if the whole diff is bad.

 

I their defense (I cannot believe I just typed that) all you need to do for a quick check is pull the fill plug and stick in your pinkie (finger)--if it comes out with gear oil on it then more than 2 litres remains...

 

Right! So then it is the gasket or nuts most are waiting for. Why would Toyota pay for loaners if a gasket and fastners gets you back in business?

 

You're correct - now I see it. Thanks.

 

so I got off the phone with my buddy. He has a 2016 TRD sport and is effected by the " gasket recall". I called the dealership pretending to be his Dad ha

The assistant manager told me the following:

1) Parts are being delayed by the hurricane in Texas, because that is major supply point in from Mexico. ( I call bs)

2) If trading in a vehicle for another he would be upside. He can't do that on a open recall, thus the vehicle is " grounded".

3) The dealership refused to provided any type of compensation.

Its been sitting for over a month.