Broken Front Diff Mount

took the tacoma in a few months ago for the front needle bearing and they decided to replace the front diff. under warranty. I get it back and take a few camping trips, nothing too intense. After my last trip I take it out of 4 wheel and notice a little bit of a funny sound. After the drive home from camping it goes away. But then the needle bearing vibrations return. As I did the first time, I switched it into 4 wheel to diagnose if the needle bearing had gone bad again and I heard a terrible metal on metal grind. I take it in and they tell me that the front diff mount has failed and belled out. Has this happened to anyone else on here? That housing is all tied into the frame and I am worried that Toyota is gonna tell me its somehow my fault. To me it seems just a bit fishy that they were just in there replacing my diff and now the mount is broken. Did they over tighten it, forget a bushing or a washer?
Pics are what mine looks like and what a good one looks like.

 

That HAS to be on them. They should fix it under warranty.

I blew out a few hydraulic engine mounts (non-toyota) in the past. It seemed to be a more or less normal situation?

Good luck!

 

I sure hope they take care of it, but the head tech out here has never seen it and was convinced that I overtorqued it somehow or took a hard hit....um what? I have an air intake but no other performance upgrades that would add enough HP or torque to blow out a factory mount. Doesn't this sound fishy: take truck in for needle bearing, get it back with a new diff. take it out and the first time I am out of 4WH and 4WL I hear the metal on metal. take it to Toyota and they find a cracked bell housing and fix it. Take it off the rack for test drive and the same problem is still there. They call me in and show me the mount and how it bent upwards allowing the driveshaft to hit the bell housing. THEY WERE JUST IN THERE! I haven't beat on it and it hasn't taken any hits.

has anyone ever had luck contacting Toyota personally? I am already preparing myself for them to tell me I have to eat it and would like to try to talk to them direct.

 

They put in a new diff? Then they were the last ones to work on it.

 

There's no signs of impact or damage. Any broken parts have to be fixed under warranty. I would be surprised if they don't take care of it.

 

These things happen whatever the cause, still sucks!
If they were in there last, it’s on the dealer. Call Toyota if the dealer won’t play ball.
My bet is the dealer will fix it..
Squeaky wheel gets the grease
Good luck, let us know how it goes

 

Exactly. This is totally on the dealer, like others have said. You aren't months down the road and they were just in that area.

 

Also my first question for the head tech, why didn’t they catch this on the first repair.
Then ask the service manager the same question.
They’ll fix it

 

This is a good example of the dealer providing workers not skilled in the tasks assigned to them. The diff should be installed with a torque wrench and not impact wrench!

 

Yes, a new diff was put in to fix the vibration caused by the needle bearing. It was 800 miles ago

 

I was wondering if an impact was used and overtightened that nut which made the metal weak. Once it was weakened it slowly worked itself upwards to make the top of that frame piece turn from flat to a boob shape.

the real question is, what is the fix? this one little weak spot is on the frame

 

the service manager tried to prepare me last night that he doesn't think that Toyota will cover it. He said he had never seen this problem ever.

 

The bottom line, they worked on that area of the truck what three times?
Odds are a mistake was made. It’s on them to prove they aren’t responsible.
Pressure Toyota on this if you have to and I’m sure they will side with you.

 

Never seen this before, looks like the mount/bolt for mount is pulling through the frame?

 

Um... so, quick questions....

No real "mods"?
No signs of impact?
Nothing that would give them any visual cause to tell you no?

DO NOT BACK DOWN.

If they were the last ones to touch it, it's on them/toyota.
Of course they're going to try to make sure THEY dont cover it.
If need be, take it to a competing dealer.....

 

The term you should familiarize yourself with is " consequential damage".

If the metal fatigued or part failed as a result of your original issue, the damage is a consequence of that original failure.

As others have suggested, the damage may have been technician caused and so dealership may not be getting reimbursed by Toyota for parts or labor.

One of the most outrageous lies told by service departments is "Toyota says they won't cover it". The implication is that the owner is screwed and the service center is helpless to assist.

What that would mean in your case is....Toyota does not buy into the service center narrative that they saw no issues while in there and did not cause the damage themselves.

Maybe the tech was only being reimbursed for a fixed amount of Toyota time, maybe the tech thought it will hold, maybe the tech decided that it would be better for him if you bring it back a week later expecting Toyota would pay suplimentary hours to fix what he failed to fix, or what he knew would not be approved ASAP.

I would be mad as hell because their negligence or incompetence, could have cost you your life.

In criminal proceedings, the prosecutor would suggest the service center "intentionally, knowingly, willingly or reclkessly" participated in an act that caused you harm.

 

It's a warranty issue unless it is proven otherwise. Considering the history of repairs, i'd think the burden is heavily on them at this time.

 

I bought it with a 2" lift on it already and the 5100 series bilstiens.
NO Impact whatsoever
nothing visually that would give them a reason to tell me they wont cover it.

 

Yes that is what happened. I have no idea how, but it is pulling it upwards throwing all kinds of stuff out of alignment. the driveshaft is hitting the bell housing and put some scars in the bell housing they just replaced.

 

I agree, I will let everyone know what Toyota says. Has anyone ever reached out to Toyota direct if the dealership tells me they wont take responsibility?