Bad front Diff, plus all sorts of problems.

Hey guys. I read this forum regularly, but never post. But I've got some interesting issues that some of you might like to hear about.

I have an 09 Tacoma DC LB 4x4 SR5. I've had all sorts of problems, including:

1. Leaky front shock. Replaced under warranty.

2. Wont start when it's -15F or lower. Unresolved, dealer can't duplicate the problem. It's makes a strange sound, almost like a large ball bearing rolling for a couple seconds, then coming to a stop.

3. Leaking air conditioning fitting. Determined to be non-warranty, cost me $450.

4. The notorious "harsh ride". Yup, I actually had it. I carry about 800 lbs worth of equipment and tools - this is my work truck. The thing was bottoming out like crazy. Brought it in, and back then the service bulletin didn't yet cover 09, and they wouldn't work with me. Ended up putting a toytec add-a-leaf in. Fixed it myself. Also did Bilstein 5100s up front.

5. Squeeky leaf springs. Greased em myself. Haven't heard it in a long long time.

6. Radio quit working. Warranty replacement.

7. Tire pressure sensor quit working. Deemed to be non-warranty. $200 later it's fixed.

8. Front diff went out at 58,000 miles. Replaced under warranty.

9. Head gaskets blown at 60,090 miles. Had to argue vehemently, but got it warrantied. $7,000 in parts alone. Pretty much full engine replacement. That's a long story, probably deserving of a thread of it's own.

9. Front diff is out again, at 72,000 miles.




So here we are. I bought this thing so I could get 300000 miles out of my work truck. It's all highway miles, now at 74000, and it's only 2 years old - but, holy crap! So much for a tough, low maintenance Toyota truck!!! I like it, and I'm happy to drive it - but, it's always in the shop.

Anyway, I have Bilstein 5100s on it, and Toyota told me they wont warranty the diff again because the shocks changed the angle of the axles going into the diff, which they say is why it's shelling diffs.

What say you guys?

Any advice?

 

I say that sucks .

 

The first time they replaced the front diff, the symptom was a periodic vibration from the front end at 30-40 mph in 2wd. Seemed to go away in 4wd.

Same symptoms now, and they said there are metal shavings in the diff. The service advisor said they got an engineer from Toyota to come out, since the diff went out twice in 15k. He said the angle of the axles going into the diff was changed by the shocks. He said that I should have gotten a diff drop kit when I put the shocks on, and that the first warranty was lucky for me, since it shouldn't have been covered.

Educate me. I saw some other guy on here previously that said he got the same thing right after lifting his truck.

 

Many are finding the diff failure after lifting .

The lift may not be the cause of the failure , but seems to excentuate the noise levels and vibes , which may be why many associate the failure with the installation of the lift .

 

It gets -15F in Nevada? Please specify where and if that is that case, get a battery, block and oil pan heater for it.

 

for real? Ford EE trolling. INvoices or it didn't happen

OH..nice name NARK

 

In Iowa. It turns over fine. My 05 Suburban starts right up. My 04 Trailblazer starts right up. My moms 93 buick starts right up. Every other piece of crap car on the road is running fine.

My 2009 Tacoma, on the other hand, turns over, and just wont fire. There has been speculation that it's related to the key. Problem is, it won't duplicate at the dealer.

Its only happened maybe 6 or 7 times, as I'm usually not in cold weather.

 

Lol the key huh? Not sure how the key falls into play with it not starting in cold weather vs warm weather...

 

No clue. I have no idea why it won't start sometimes - but, I do have a Viper security system, which uses a duplicate smart key. No idea why this might matter - but, just heard that the smart key system may be to blame.

 

Well next time you go to cold weather, disable the Viper system and use the stock key. Process of elimination FTW!

 

A lot of your issues seem to be self induced. Sounds like you drive your truck pretty hard as well, ie. leaking shocks, blown head gasket...not to say you shouldn't be able to do that, but these kind of issues happen on any truck drivin hard for work. I'd just be glad it was fixed under warranty. My 2cents

 

sure it isnt a ford?

 

Electronic crap FTMW! wait when you need to replace that ATRAC sensor next thing you know there is going to be post in for sale section
"WTT
good working kidney for ATRAC parts for 09+ truck"

 

This is a common problem with Toyota front differentials (or until you get about 90K miles on it without it being lifted). It's the driver's side roller needle bearing. They're wearing out but you don't know it until you lift the truck and change the cv angles. Any minute change in the angle manifests the problem. While Toyota charges $2,200 to replace it (front diff alone is $1,600), several TW members have replaced the bearing without removing the front diff from the truck (and not tearing it apart like the FSM shows). There's a couple of us here in NorCal that are trying to get together with some more experienced guys to attempt it ourselves. If we do, then we'll do a write-up. At least one person found an independent shop that did it for around $500. As soon as more and more people experience this problem (we're up to 2 or 3 dozen with this problem now and more will appear as mileage increases on the 2nd gen trucks), then someone is bound to do a write-up to help everyone else out. Just a matter of time. It really is too bad Toyota didn't do a TSB on this issue (like they did for the Tundra but then those have been worse), but for the most part there are only a handful that had it fail once or twice within the original drivetrain warranty.

 

Maybe I'm thinkin AZ, but I've never really thought it got that cold in NV. Now ID, WY, MT, UT and CO, yes...I'm from CO and I can vouch for the cold ass weather there!

 

Dang no joke. I look like a dumbass now.

 

I think its a BS claim it doesn't start under -15, Mine and many others start fine..

 

Lol true but I think the claim that the key is the issue sounds even more BS.

 

You can thank your fellow Americans for typically being wusses who want the image of a truck with the ride of a wusscar. Toyota marketing research has found that the best balance for the most happy owners is the weakness it ships with.

Strangely, the best selling trucks in the US don't ride on the bumpstops.... I believe F-150 actually has springs under it.