Think the dealer is trying to scam me. Need opinions

Ok so here’s the full story. Took my 08 TRD OR into the dealer for a 4x4 issue that I’m pretty sure is the ADD actuator again. They can’t get the truck to work anything but flawlessly as far as 4WD is concerned. BUT they insist my rear diff is about to explode. Tech said it’s making a ton of noise and there’s a bunch of play in the driveshaft where it goes into the 3rd member. They offered to get and install a used one for the low price of $3800. After suggesting they all be sent for drug testing I took my truck home. It is making no noise and there is only the slightest of wobbles in the driveshaft with the truck in neutral. I’ve attached a video and would appreciate any input. I certainly won’t be paying Toyota a damn thing, I’ll get ahold of @ECGS and order regeared front and rear diffs and a front arb for less than what Toyota wanted. Thanks in advance for the help guys.

 

Looks fine to me.

 

About normal.

Do an oil drain and check for particles. You aren't gonna find any, though.

 

Looks ok to me too. I’d have to see a comparison but that’s what I would expect. The price is damn near criminal. Even if it was a little worn and needed a rebuild it would be waaaay cheaper to rebuild the axle in place and not pay the labor to pull it out and put a different one in. These are the stories that give dealerships a bad name. You could always take it to another dealer for another opinion but you’d have to pay for the inspection. Imagine the shit stirring you could do if the other dealer said there was nothing wrong with it???

 

Yeah I’m gonna change the oil in both diffs and the transfer case tomorrow to be sure. Thanks for the input guys. Stealership indeed.

 

I hope you aren't referring to my 2 dealers in the area. I've had great interaction with both.

 

Lol. It sounds and looks normal. I would love to hear their opinions of my non-balanced sqaure shafts.

 

I’ve been dealing with Toyota of Muskegon. They did a great job with my frame swap but this was a different tech this time.

 

Thanks.

Oddly enough, my truck was purchased new from the Muskegon dealer.

 

Most all dealers are owned some owners have a few dealerships they are all different in policy .

Are you sure they said used ?? Not Factory Rebuilt ??

You do have a printed copy of this.

I can`t see a dealership ever installing or selling used parts .

Only your used parts with a new frame

I deal with customers all the time if the equipment does not fail in the shop not much you can do .

 

$3800 to install a 3rd member? WOW! I'd love to see the breakdown on what they are charging you for. Took me a couple hours to change mine out by myself the first time I ever did it. 2 hrs labor max in a shop. A 3rd member with new gears is well under $1000.

 

Yeah they said used. I don’t have anything in writing this is just what he quoted me while I was standing at the service desk. I took my truck and left afterwards. No freaking way am I paying that.

I’m pissed my 4WD worked just fine in the shop but that’s about par for the course with any intermittent issue. It will do it until the mechanic gets it. What can you do lol.

 

Update: just drained the rear diff. This is what my drain plug looked like. There’s defiantly tiny flecks of metal in there. Mostly it’s a fine sparkly sludge. Is this about normal or should I be concerned?

 

Looks a lot like mine. However, mine was all black sludge, no sparkly bits.

 

Totally normal.

 

There are many on here that know a lot more than me...but working on many cars, trucks, power equipment, and tractors...
1. That SMALL amount of play, with no noise you have observed seems normal.
2. The metal flecks you see, appear normal, when was the last time you changed the diff fluid before this? Sorry if I missed that.

 

How many times have you changed it since owning it?

 

Normal.

 

For those that have asked this is the second time I’ve changed the diff fluid since owning it. And that was 35k ago. Before anyone yells at me, I have not owned since new. I bought it with 130k on the odometer, changed the diffs and transfer case about 5k later when I did my first oil change. Fluid I just took out looked pretty clean. Way better than the milky grey sludge that I got the first time. I really appreciate everyone’s help. My other ride is a 2013 Focus ST and the folks on that forum are generally less helpful and more condescending. This really is a great community.

 

Here is a rough breakdown of what you should be spending if you were to do anything:

ARB locker: $850
R&P: $250
Compressor: $200
Locker and R&P install: $350
New Balanced DS: $300

And everything looks normal. From the play in the DS, to the fine metal shavings on the drain magnet.