3rd Gen feeling NG loose/sloppy at 38k, thoughts?

[edit: “NG” was a too in the title, it just doesn’t let me change it]

OK so I have a 2023 TRD OR 4x4 … it’s not my first 3rd gen either. Before this one, I had a 2021 SR5, 2 WD four-banger. I’m presently at 38,500 miles. My last one had over 53k when someone totaled it on me. I’m prefacing all this with this information because I’m well aware of the nuances of the Tacoma, and the sloppy transmission and the way things feel. Ugh

So that all being said, for the last couple thousand miles (Of course after it’s been out of warranty), when I come to a stop, the brakes work fine — I stop as quickly as ever — but right as the truck settles to a stop, just as the nose comes back up, I’m feeling something that I can’t quite describe. It kind of feels like the chassis is loose. At first, I thought maybe something needed to be tightened just from normal wear and tear. I could also describe the feeling kind of as if I unbolted the seat and didn’t quite bolt it back tight enough. It kind of gives me the sensation like when you stop and you slip on ice for a split second. I know this sounds crazy and is one of the reasons why I didn’t post until now. I don’t believe the truck actually moves, but it feels like it’s moving a split second before settling. I’m feeling it either under my seat or a little bit through the brake pedal.

This Tacoma has always been way sloppier than my last Tacoma as far as the parking pawl. Since I’m in Florida and everything is flat, I do not usually set the parking brake, but I’m always amazed by the distance the truck seems to be able to roll before the pawl engages.
So, now my question… Any ideas on things to check? I’ve done routine oil changes myself since after warranty. Have not changed the transmission fluid yet on this truck, but it’s on my list. Also going to change front and rear differential fluid and the transfer case oil as well. The brakes check out well, other than a little bit of play in the driveshaft, I can’t see anything else wrong. The truck does seem a little rougher than it used to be going over things like railroad tracks, and some railroad tracks when I go over them the truck definitely seems to want to wander and feels almost like it’s going later early to the side. I’m not sure how much of that has always been there and how much I’m imagining it getting worse. I’ve heard about the steering rack bushings causing wander, and although I haven’t really had any help to check those bushings, from what I can do, they seem to be OK.

The only thing I’ve noticed out of the ordinary has been the Goodyear Duratrac tires which have worn terribly. They have a 50,000 mile warranty and here I am at 38,000 in the front ones we’re wearing completely unevenly. So after the rotation, they’re now in the back, the good tires are in front and the truck is driving a little smoother, but that’s not at all having any impact on this issue I’m feeling when coming to a stop.

Just to rule out the tires, I stuck my old road tires from the SR5 on yesterday to drive it for a few days. It’s certainly driving smoother and probably getting better gas mileage, but the “sensation” I’m describing when coming to a stop is still there.

I was getting ready to lift the truck and go to at least 33s in the near future, but because I’m feeling this going on, I don’t want to start putting money into a vehicle that’s going to fail me. I’m not keen on jumping into a 4th gen either. Much to my disappointment, I broke down and made an appointment to go to the dealership Monday morning to see what one of their technicians thinks. I imagine they’ll dismiss what I’m feeling happening, but maybe not? Anyway, in the meantime, I’d like to brainstorm with TW to get other members’ input. Many thanks!

 

You should always use the emergency brake when parking. Flat or not

 

Ok, while that is sound advice, it isn’t addressing my question. Unless you know what the issue is that I’m trying to describe annd identify and it is a result of not using the parking brake on level ground. If so, please elaborate. Thank you.

 

Except when it’s below freezing, which is more than half the year here.
Have never used the parking brake in any automatic and have been fine for well over half a million miles.
If parking pawls were as fragile as everyone on TW makes them out to be, there would be a post every other week complaining about the cost of tearing apart the transmission to repair them.

OP: start with a tech ride along and try to get them to acknowledge the issue. Loose or broken engine or body mount(s) maybe? Just a (probably wrong) stab in the dark…

 

Not going to lie your post is very long so a lot of people aren't going to read it.

It's hard to tell from what you described. Does it feel like a drive train slop or suspension? Does it feel like something in the front moving, center, or rear?

 

@Darty03, thanks for the reply. I know it’s a long post. Well, I struggle to describe exactly what I’m feeling. But it’s either coming from the front or middle of the truck. Kind of feels like at that last moment, the inertia is shifting the body on the chassis. There is a little lag when I press the gas before the transmission engages. I had that on my last Tacoma too, but it’s more noticeable on this truck. It kind of feels like the reverse of that. But this is new and want there until the last few thousand miles

At first, I thought the front brakes might’ve been slipping, but the weather was totally dry and the rotors and pads are in good shape. There’s some lateral ridges going around the circumference of the rotor, but nothing out of the ordinary.

so at first, I thought maybe it was the cab mounts were loose, but I have to say it’s more of “drivetrain slop” or bushings worn out somewhere maybe

 

Might be worth checking transmission and motor mounts. They shouldn't be bad with so little miles but it kinda sounds like a bad trans mount to me. Other than that I would check the front diff bushings, front strut upper and lower bushings, and the upper and lower control arm bushings.

 

I’ve also rarely used a parking brake on any automatic I’ve owned and had zero issues.

Thanks @musicisevil, yes, exactly my plan. I already spoke with the manager of the service department. Make sure to give somebody familiar with Tacoma that will go on a road test with me. Also, thank you for reminding me about engineers. I had thought about that previously but didn’t write them on my list!

 

Good advice thank you! I tried to check everything listed except for the mounts but I need to get somebody else in a vehicle to turn the wheel I think. I’ll have them take a look when they put it up on the lift Monday.

I have to say that shot transmission mounts would likely feel exactly what I’m feeling… hard to believe they’d be bad with so few highway miles but who knows?

 

Didn’t even think about that lol. Not a problem where I’m at

 

OK - I have a 2023 SR Access Cab 3.5 4x4 Auto, bought new. I put Duratracs on at 1K and I'm at 26K now. No issues, tires are wearing evenly.

So - did you buy your 23 OR new, or was it used? Did you put the Duratracs on, or was it from previous owner? Was any other suspension work done?

In my mind, the tread wear problems point to suspension issues. Body/engine/trans mount issues might give the 'slop' sensations, but not sure how those would (directly) affect the tires.

 

@CB350G, I bought it brand new and it came with the Duratracs on it as a package from the dealership/port.

Yes, I agree about the wear usually points to something else going on. But in all honesty, it’s mostly all highway miles and both front tires wore equally unevenly, if that makes sense

 

I think I might know what you are talking about, I have felt like a small slide and then a little thud at the end. I figured out it was the power seat motor. I don’t know if this is the same as you are experiencing but just my 2 cents

 

Alternating lug wear is so baffling to me. Did a quick search for answers but didn’t find anything helpful

Not gonna lie, in the thick of it around Jan/Feb when it’s sub zero for weeks at a time, that Cali life seems reeeeally appealing

 

Could be almost anything from the description you gave. As far as the tires, lack of tire rotations, poor alignment, or worn suspension components could cause that.

 

Hey i’d be delighted if it was that easy! I’ll certainly give it a look but what I’m feeling is definitely something underneath, when the truck settles back. Doesn’t happen if I’m creeping along real slow at like 5 or 10 mph and then brake. I have to be showing down from at least about 30 mph to feel it. It’s right after the small rebound, when the truck returns to level.

I know I was a little late in my tire rotation this interval , but I had noticed the tire wear and thought it might’ve been the way the m+s treads were designed… It wasn’t until a friend of mine who used to own a tire shop in Brazil mentioned to me that my tires were shot when he saw them.

@MGMDesertTaco, yeah, I’m definitely guilty of going a little too long without rotating them this time around, but I’ll have to have somebody with the more knowledge to me check everything out. I mean, I’m in South Florida and the truck doesn’t get abused .. everything underneath pretty much still looks new, well, for a truck with 38,000 miles

 

Did you get Toyota Care with purchase? 10k and 20k oil change and tire rotation? This seems like something to take back to the dealer. Maybe tires weren’t balanced or need to be redone.

Tire wear issue and stop/slop issue may or may not be related. Maybe for now, leave the SR5 tires on and just trouble-shoot the stop/slop issue.

 

I only got the standard 36 month / 36,000 mile warranty and I did get the Toyoguard Platinum which only includes 2 oil changes and 4 tire rotations. I’ve taken over doing my own oil changes and rotations now.

Yes I’m rolling on the old rusty SR5 rims and one full size spare. While it rides much smoother and mpg will surely go up, unfortunately I’m still feeling the stop/slop issue.



I’ll change back to the TRD rims tomorrow, so that the dealership can see them Monday morning.

 

You gotta reverse rotate duratracs. I cross rotated them every oil change when I had them.

Around 50% wear they are dreadful tires to own.

As for the wallowy ride, its just how leaf springs and oem shocks wear.

Even with new 5100s installed these trucks don't drive amazing unless the leaf springs are fresh.

 

I had the issue described with a 1st gen Tacoma and it turned out to be the transmission. I know we are talking about 3rd gen just saying it could be the transmission.