Getting the Rear Leaf TSB Dealer Run Around ... Ugh

So, I called the dealership I bought the truck from. It is a different dealership in the No. Va area and much further from my house. I used your line "I don't feel safe driving with even a small load" and they were much more ameniable. In fact, the service manager was very friendly, said it would take them a few weeks to get the springs and that he would call on Monday to setup a time and day to install the new springs.

I am shocked it was so easy.

So why did I not call them in the first place? Well, they are 4x the distance from my house as the dealer I called.

I will let you all know if it all works as easy as the service manager stated. Also thanks for the comments, I learned a lot from this thread.

 

Good deal!!! I bet they will call you in a day or two, my dealer had the springs the next day.

 

Truck was dropped off at the dealer tonight, we'll see how it goes.

 

mine is at the stealership for this right now, said it will be done in morning.

guy told me its for a "harsh" ride. so I told him, when the axle slams it little bump stops into the frame, it's.... not?... a harsh ride. and he laughed and did it.

toyota of redlands is super nice.


no offroad trip in my truck came without severe bottoming out of the rear

 

i just drive around w/ the bump stops b/c i'm too lazy to care

 

So, I had not heard from the dealership and gave them a call for a status update on my truck.

The service manager told me that they received two left side TSB springs instead of a left and right and the truck would be done by the end of this weekend.

I hope everything turns out ok.

 

I got mine back yesturday 3 hours after they opened. they did the entire tsb including aligning my tires.

plus they did a free detail job.

I don't think it rides any harsher, switching to bfg ta k/o's made it way more harsher of a ride than the stiffer springs. (which I don't care cause they are awesome tires)

 

Update:

My Leaf TSB was completed this weekend. Thanks for the help all.

 

What dealer did you get the TSB performed at?

 

Guys... they are not all bad (the newer ones)!

I had a 2005 DC with weak springs that bottomed out (rear passengers or a load in the bed) driving over bumps, normal speed.

My 2010 DC (also just 3 leaves) does NOT bottom out under the same conditions... and I have been 'trying' for a year now... It won't bottom... better springs. Truck comes from the Baja Calif., Mexico plant (between Tijuana and Tecate).

 

Personally , I haul material in my truck all the time and can't imagine having one less leaf.

 

Can anyone else back this up? (No offense, David) I did some searching and found David posting this other times but no one else echoing this. My '10 is a Baja truck as well but I haven't loaded it down to see how it hauls itself.

 

I've never had the truck loaded to the limit, but with approximately 450 pounds in the cab and 450 pounds in the bed, driving at normal speeds on moderately rough dirt and gravel roads, I never felt the rear bottom out and did not think it rode poorly.

That's in my 2009 prerunner access cab, built at NUMMI (California).

 

Yes, I believe the three leaf packs on '09 and newer are updated. I loaded my truck with the three leaf pack with a yard of fine mulch and it handled pretty good without bottoming out. I got the TSB done because I knew this was going to be a common scenario for me.

After I got the TSB done I hauled another yard of mulch and it may have handled a little better but not alot better as some had experienced with the three leaf packs. I was actually a little disappointed with the 4 leaf upgrade but I came from an F250 diesel as my hauler so it was somewhat expected.

 

I have an 11 and had the TSB done. The original springs matched the part # on the bad springs. My truck rode poorly with weight. New springs are a different part number and solved the problem. I posted pictures on another thread of the old and new parts, you can see the part niumbers clearly on the old springs.

 

I had my TSB done Wednesday. My truck had 330 miles on it. When I called to schedule it, I was given the "dumb act": What rear leaf TSB? For the 2011? I don't recall seeing that one.

When I informed them I had a copy of it sitting in front of me, it was "ohhh".

I also mentioned that i wanted my $30,000 truck to perform like a truck. On par with the Nissan hardbody and Titan I had owned previously.

Then it was firmly communicated to them that we could just get this done without the dog-and-pony show or I would call Toyota to "expedite the process". Or I could load the bed up to create the TSB occurrence and get it done that way. But that would result in a poor customer service experience.

Next thing I knew, the service manager said they would order the parts and schedule an install ASAP.

They called the next day and told me to bring her in.

You have to show some resolve and let them know this is going to be done, whatever it takes.

Like this:

Sorry, I love the icons

I'll attach the TSB if you don't already have it. Good luck. You'll get 'er done.

 

Congrats. Are you happy with it?

I got all worked up and posted a response, and then as I read the thread I see you got it done

Well maybe my rant will help someone else get results

 

Still happy with the TSB Rear Leaf spring packs. I think the truck handles great. The ride is not too stiff (IMO) and I am surprised the truck does not come with these springs from the factory.

 

I love it, "dog and pony show".

It's true though, you really have to hold your ground with the dealership. I had no less than 5 people ask me if I was 'sure' I wanted the TSB b/c the 'truck would be SO much stiffer'. To which I answered 'Yes, I would like my truck to handle like a truck'.