3rd Gen 2016 Leaking Rear Diff and Steering Pump Leaking!!

Bought a Certified Tacoma 2016 with 64k miles one owner clean Carfax regular maintenance in August 2019. Noticed some quirks right away seat back has slight movement when coming to a quick stop and accelerating figured it’s normal for a used vehicle to have some worn seats. Lexus tech friend was looking the truck over after installing a lift for me and noticed Steering Pump Leaking and a popping sound when turning the front wheels back and forth (possible ring and pinion?) I peaked under last night and saw what looked to be weeping on the pumpkin (rear diff). Dropped it off at Toyota this afternoon to see what they are going to do...I should have known buying a first model year, but debating whether I should keep it till the warranty runs out at 100k or get out of it now....I have had two 4 runners before and no issues like this especially so new after getting it. Thank god it’s certified but what are people’s experiences on having these fixed and having to do it numerous times afterward?

 

At least you didnt buy a dodge.

 

I know I know nothing is as bad as Jeeps, Dodges etc but this is my first Toyota with as many issues right off the bat!!

 

The differential may have a TSB on it, and be covered by warranty. That PS pump leak could also be the timing cover, but Toyota should be able to identify where the leak is

 

You can hack the seatback play issue by slightly twisting/torquing the seatback near where you want it set at. You have to kinda practice this a bit, but you will eventually get the hang of it. If the adjustment handle drops all the way into place (like it normally does), you know you haven't done it correctly... you want the handle to drop about 75% of the way down. At that point there will be no play.

Basically whats happening is the tooth on one side is locked into a different slot then on the other which keeps one tooth preloaded on the forward part of slot on one side, and the other preloaded on the back part of the slot on the opposite side, which gets rid of the slop.

 

Yup rear diff for sure has a TSB out for the 16s. Not sure about the pump leak though...

 

Hey thanks! I’ll give it a shot again. I tried this thing I read online about leaning back on one side and pulling the opposite side up while pulling the handle but it never worked

 

that might have been my post lol! I posted some instructions on this a while back in another thread. Good luck to ya

 

The rear end could just be as simple as loose fasteners, the rack and opinion (err..rack and pinion) could be expensive from a dealer repair because the engine may have to be lifted.
An independent shop may just cut off the old bolts (holding the rack) and install the new ones upside down and be done. Simple job.

If it was me, and that was all, she'd be a keeper. But that's just me



Cheers

 

That is most likely not the PS Pump leaking.

 

UV dye the oil and check again. 95% sure it's the timing cover. Good news is it's probably a small leak and can stay that way forever if you want. Bad news is if you want to fix it, you're going to be financing your mechanic's kids college fund and it's not going to be state.

 

I’m hoping it’s covered under warranty...

 

got the call timing cover chain under warranty but it’s a huge job. They said the diff is slightly weeping but it’s more of a film than wet so Toyota won’t warranty it yet...this seems odd to me

 

Whew good news! Hope they put it back together all right!