Rear differential issues

Hi new to the forum, I bought a brand new 2017 Toyota Tacoma TRD offroad less then a year ago with 6500 miles and I noticed transmission fluid leaking heavily when parked I got my Toyota towed to the dealership and the leaking was coming from the rear differential there was almost all my bolts missing. Can someone explain what causes this? Or what all the dealership needs to do to fix the problem? Will this be something that leads to future problems with my Tacoma? Looks close at the pics one has bolts and one doesn't very strange. The dealership said it looked like some of the bolts were never even put on in the first place. If there is any advice I would appreciate it. Thanks

 

Maybe the bolts all fell off of one side ?

 

It'll be fine. Rest easy. You probably caught it before it was an issue. However, i would be more concerned with who is jacking with your truck. The gear oil in the axle would have been gone long ago if in didn't have those nuts on from the factory. Suprised your wheel didn't fall off.

 

Ya thought it was crazy i will have to keep a closer eye on my truck when I pick it up in about a week or more. So far the dealership is going to replace the axel and the seals and whatever else might be damaged. I drove the truck to work apparently with no bolts luckily nothing happened. When I took the pics I noticed that where the rust was it looked like the bolts were off for awhile.

 

Sabotage! Good thing you caught that when you did. The ending could have been much worse.

 

How the fuck did your wheel stay on?

 

I honestly have no idea didn't go very far driving to work the whole thing just seems sketchy. I might look into some kind of extended warranty on the rear differential or trade it in for a 2018

 

Do you have any surveillance cameras on where you park your car at night? someone messing with your shit!

 

No i dont I will look into getting some I rent right now not sure I'm allowed to have surveillance cameras where I live. Does anyone think it's possible the manufacture made a mistake just curious ?

 

Huh. There was clearly nuts there at one point (can see the marks). Someone's been messing with your truck.

 

Welcome! I have the same model truck as you, and go offroad a lot with no problems like that at all. I agree with others here, someone is damaging your truck. Jealous boyfriend issues? Have you filed a police report? If something worse happens, it will be good to have documented as this isnt petty malicious jokester stuff, it can hurt you or others, and will cause thousands of dollars of damage to your truck.

Definitely put a camera system in, but also go to Harbor Freight ASAP and get one of these, put a magnet on the back and stick it on your truck at night. Heck, get two and put one on each side at night. It will beep the remote alarm in your house (I keep mine near my bed) if anyone comes near, even a 100’ away. the batteries will last weeks and months. I have been using one ever since a neighborhood loser drilled my 1st Gen’s gas tank. Havent had any issues since. They have a bright red LED that goes off, so the perp will know he’s been detected.

 

Have not filed a police report I'm going to get some magnets and install security cameras thanks for the advice. And how do you set up the magnets are they inside and how are they positioned in the truck can you send me a pic please.

 

Heres the magnet I used - just put a little bolt through it with a washer and nut- slide the nut and washer over the clip on the back of the alarm sensor and literally stick it to the truck. It works and holds well, Ive forgotten to take mine off and drove on the freeway to work with it. Put it across the seam on the drivers door below the handle and you wont forget it. If you park in a driveway with your rear sticking out, put it on your tailgate. Really, you should file a police report, thats some serious vandalism. -will post a pic soon.

 

I wouldn't trade your truck in over it. Sounds like the dealership is replacing most parts that could have been damaged. Enjoy your truck.

 

Weird, that’s pretty extreme vandalism to remove the nuts from the axle tube / backing plate..doesn’t even look like enough threads are exposed for a nut to be installed. My bet is error in assembly .also shouldn’t the rear axle seal should prevent diff fluid from leaking? Bizarre

Good luck

 

No bolts there...

 

@Yaddahloud

You know, Im under my truck right now looking at that part and that does look wierd- those studs are too short. Could this truck have had rear dif work done just prior to it being sold? Check Carfax and ask the dealer service to pull a service record search on it to see if any differential or axle work was done. Now Im also thinking someone messed up.

 

I think your on to something with recent rear diff work being done. When I had my weeping diff fixed, dealership did have to remove both axle backing plates and seals....

 

But to leave those out! What service monkey did that?! Its so bad, I thought it was vandalism. Well, maybe it was service vandalism.

 

Hey guys serious stuff check your rear differential if it is leaking and your still under warranty go get it inspected I found online there's been recalls before on the rear differential.