New Recall~drive shaft replacement?

The mechanic came and got me in the waiting room. He brought me back to my truck on the lift and described what the "issue" was. He visibly pointed out my carrier bearing, saying that is was fine. I guess its Toyota being stingy? The seals in my joints were oozing grease he proclaimed, and hence free u joints were ordered. My gripe is why are the dealerships so reluctant to issue some free parts... after all they are billing Toyota so they should just rack it up.

 

Well....they plan to replace whatever is necessary to fix the issue stated in the enhanced warranty documentation. If u-joints will fix it they will simply replace those. If it's a complete shaft replacement they will do that. It would be stupid to replace more than is needed.

I'll check when I get home on Friday. Please remind me if I forget. Price was free as a result of my vehicle being covered. I was in a bit of a unique situation though since I had receipts to prove I had already paid money to have a custom shaft built to solve the issue outlined in the warranty enhancement. Thus, they couldn't just "throw u-joints" on it and call it done and couldn't simply reimburse me. So now I have a spare drive shaft.

 

Right but if the parts are gonna go out eventually like the letter says why not just cover it all?

 

I wish this the covered the "bump" I get during a hard stop. Everything I've researched says it's either the leaf-springs (which Toyota just replaced" or the propeller shaft needing greased.

 

Mine does that too I think it' the torque converter. There used to be a warranty enhancement for it but it is long over.

 

Because if that part isn't causing the problem it's functioning as designed. Toyota sold over 1.6 million 2nd gen Tacomas that might be covered by this warranty. If they replaced the carrier bearing on each one of them; at the WAY underestimated price of $5 a pop (without labor) that's $8.1 million dollars. Still wondering why they'd needlessly replace parts that are functioning?

 

Nice, though I got reimbursed for my Dakar leaf pack and they didn't just give me a spare leaf pack...

 

Mine does that too. Why do you think it's the torque converter. That would suck I don't wanna replace the trans!

 

If its a safety issue that could land them a lawsuit? Yea i have an issue with it because what if someones driveshaft fails and they wreck? Replace the faulty parts now or deal with it later like they did with the frames?

 

There's nothing faulty about the carrier bearing. It just tires out with age. It's a part that wears; like brakes or a clutch. So yeah, if it's contributing to the issue in the case of one truck that comes in; they replace it. If truck #2 appears to have a carrier bearing that's just fine, why would they replace it?

 

I must have misunderstood the letter, I saw some posts about people saying they issued the warranty enhancement because they were failing quicker then normal. I thought if that was the case and they are failing earlier then expected they should have just replaced the assembly you know? I thought that all the parts mentioned in the letter were failing sooner that's why they issued it, and if that was the case if they are gonna fail sooner then replace them now so we don't haft to come back. But i do understand that it would cost a lot to do.

 

So is this the same vibration that goes away when you put it in 4wd?

 

NOOO! You seem to need the ECGS bushing. Google it

 

Lucky dawg, you. I too am keeping my fingers crossed for a shiny new Driveshaft to accompany the new frame under my truck.

 

I really wish they could have done this when they had my truck in pieces just a few months ago. I have chased A vibration since I've got it back with the replacement frame. Unfortunately, I've replaced all ujoints, midshaft bearing, rotors, calipers, drums, alignment, tire balance/rotate, etc...

I can work on drivelines but am no professional.
So, Question...
Could these "faulty" parts have caused the driveshaft to lose balance? Is that even possible without knocking it out of balance?
Reason I ask is, I've replaced all components of the driveshaft, Except the driveshaft. And I still have a light harmonic vibration. Nothing bad but then again an incurable vibration over time can cause all kinds of premature wear.
I guess I'll set a date with the local dealer and see what they say. Anything short of a driveshaft replacement would do me no good, as I've already replaced what the techs do...

 

Brought my 2006 in for this yesterday. They found one of my u-joints was actually broken in half... wondering how my driveshaft did not fail. They threw the new recall leaf springs on there I kept forgetting to get while it was up on the lift. Now I know where all my vibes were coming from. Had to order a part for it, forgot what it was something for the shaft.. so I got a loaner corolla for a bit.

 

An update on my truck and my driveline vibrations. I have an '11 double cab sport, the vibes starting getting bad at around 75K. Various speeds. My initial visit to the dealer cost me $65 for the inspection and they told me the carrier bearing was bad and I had a cracked rear spring. They quoted me a repair of over $3,000 including a new driveshaft and two new rear springs. I went home, did some research and found this thread.

My truck was built on Nov. 24, 2010. The letter Toyota sent to the dealers says trucks built through early December 2010 are covered. But when the dealer plugged in my VIN, they told me my truck was not covered for either the carrier bearing/ujoint/driveshaft extended warranty coverage, or the leaf springs (and one of my leaf springs, which was upgraded to the 4 leaf design in 2011 at no charge, was cracked). I then spoke directly to Customer Service at Toyota, who also said my VIN was outside the coverage period, despite what the letter to the dealers said. Nevertheless, after a day or two of back and forth, they offered to pay for 75% of the cost of replacing the driveshaft and a set of new rear leaf springs. Plus they would give me "warranty repair" parts and labor pricing, which is supposedly less than the normal retail. The total repair cost was $2,103. My 25% of that was $525. So I agreed, even though I felt Toyota should have probably covered the repair in full, and also because they couldn't tell me why their letter to dealers said my build date should have been included, but wound up not being included.

Dropped my truck off last Friday morning. End of the day they were not finished and gave me a loaner for the weekend. Monday afternoon dealer called and said that there was an "issue" with pricing that they needed to work out. Didn't hear from them Tuesday, Wednesday they said to come pick up the truck it was fixed. When I got there, they said there was a "mistake" with the pricing, the new total was $2,988, and my share of that was now $747 plus tax. When I asked for an explanation for the increased charge, I was told that there was a "fitting kit" for the springs that had to be added, as mine were corroded and had to be replaced. Asked to see the parts...yeah no.

So I got into it a bit with the service manager, who I know pretty well. He told me to take it up with Toyota, and that basically I should feel lucky they covered the majority of the repair. They dealer wasn't doing anything for a price adjustment and suggested I ask Toyota for a "dealer credit." I already knew where this was going.

Called Toyota CS today and they told me to take a hike. They also reiterated the line about me being "lucky" that they covered 75% of the repair, regardless of the increase, and that it was "too bad" nobody called me to advise of the "adjustment" prior to picking up my truck. So, for a little over $800, I do have a new driveshaft, and two new rear springs. I guess I can be happy about that or not...

 

They did you dirty! Sorry to hear...

 

My truck started the vibration shit about 3 months ago nearing 159,000 miles. I hardly drove it for 3 months saving up for new tires. Took it in to local guy put 4 new tires and alignment and he said everything up front looked solid. Some of the vibration went away but now it is obvious there is a drivetrain vibration/shudder starting about 30 mph and worse up to 40 mph. Vibration becomes less at higher speeds and stops when taking it out of gear. I never received this letter but I called Toyota CS and they said my truck qualifies and I will get a letter but don't need it. Scheduled for next Wed. I have bilstein 5100's on front at 2.5 I hope this won't queer the deal if it is u joints/driveshaft.

 

Wow that's some bullshit, find a new dealer is all i can say. Funny how my 05 is still getting these things for free and its like pulling teeth with the newer models. I also had 3 inch lift and they still did my u joints while complimenting my truck and saying i need supercharger next...