Front differential bearing, need everyones help.

Yeah, I read what he put bout what the outside folks found and got his lift mixed up, my mistake, but the lift is making the problem noticeable whether it was there before the lift or not. When I first put the lift on my truck, the growling was there on the test drive immediately after putting it on. I am still uncertain of the cause, but after the diff was replaced 3x's I removed my lift and haven't heard a noise since. Hopefully all goes well with his warranty claim, and the OP should contact toyotas customer service and file a complaint, and/or go to another dealership for a 2nd opinion, kinda like a doctor diagnosing a disease.

 

Sounds like you're taking the right approach.

Be sure and dig out that warranty book they gave you with your owners manual. It has pages and pages of info on how exactly you go about appealing a warranty denial.

Be sure and be as specific as possible in pointing out factual errors in their 3rd party investigation results.

 

The third party report claimed that my truck is:

Lifted approximately 5 inches (the truck was ON a lift, so theres no way to accurately measure it.) and that it could be adjusted while driving.

Residual dust buildup around the axle seal indicating that it has been leaking for a long time.

Diff bearing was worn at the bottom, indicating a sharp CV angle.

The also stated that the inspector was in fact a third party inspector, and the dealership was no priveldged to his findings.... yet after speaking with another person at corporate, I was told that the service advisors name is on the findings report indicating he agreed.



The FACTS:

I have Fox coilovers, set for 2.5 and 2.75" (anti-lean). Clearly they cannot be adjusted on the fly.

The 'residual' dust is mud leftover from going out to the SVRA two weeks ago. The seal was only leaking for two days prior to visiting dealership.

The diff bearing was reported and documented over 30k miles ago, however the dealership I went to at that time denied there was a problem and said it was my tires.

Service adviser AND the tech both said they never saw the techs report (which jives with the first talk with corporate on policy for third party inspectors). The tech came and quickly left, without speaking with the service adviser directly.



Few other notes to think about. If my problems were due to lift, CV axles would go first, we all know it. I have 94k miles on original CV axles, they are in GREAT shape, with the exception of where the diff bearing wore a little on it. I have a 1 inch differential drop as well, my CV angles are pretty damn good.



So since no one can provide me any RO contracts, what do you think is the best way to point this out, and what should I focus on. I'm tight on money and prefer not to hire another inspector. Dealership is on my side throughout this, I ended up drawing a pow-wow around my truck in the shop today, alot of tech come over to hear what I had to say... they couldn't understand what this guy was thinking. The unfortunate part is they really can't do much against corporate..


Input.... I will begin hammering them first thing in the morning..... shit is going to piss me off royaly.

 

Point out where the third party was incorrect, get the lift kit manufactuer on the horn with their input on the lift.

 

Good idea.

 

get the lift specs for them. Present them with the maximum amount of lift the lift is capable of (3" iirc) which will show them the third party didn't know what he was talking about with his 5". When telling them what your lift is set at don't tell them that both coilovers are set at different heights, this will just make it seem odd and lead them to believe it was done incorrectly. You can also mention that toyota themselves offer a 3" lift.

As for the cv's breaking first, it is more common for them to break first, but nothing is guaranteed. In fact your cv's being in great shape would tip off the weaker link is else where.

 

Filed complains with Federal Trade Commision and Better Business Bureau. Was also directed to the CA Attourney Generals office, but not getting through at this point. Waiting on assistance through an owner/friend of another dealership. Hopefully I can get somewhere before this day is over.

 

Alright, well my claim finally got pushed though. I don't know how much of what I did helped. I got some help from the inside.

Hopefully have my truck back by the end of the week!

 

Word!!!!

 

My truck has 2.5 inches of lift and my left side of the diff started leaking today after very light off roading. I am taking it to Toyota tomorrow, I think all the diff bearing issues need to be resolved by Toyota. I have heard so many issues of the left diff bearing going out. My truck has 19000 miles on it. On a side note; my truck has had a vibe in it since new, now that the diff is leaking the vibe is completely gone??? And yes the mysterious vibe was there before the lift. Good luck I'll let oh know what Toyota tells me tomorrow.

 

Goes away in 4WD? Best of luck to you....I don't know If I could have gotten them to fix it without help.... Do you have a differential drop? If you have adjustable coilovers, Id maybe drop em down before you go in just to alleviate any excuse for them to deny you.

 

Actually the vibration is completely gone now that the front end leaks.

 

LOL. I don't know if that's a good thing.

 

I had a local shop tear down my diff and install 4:56 gears with arb lockers. The shop said my diff was fine and the only problem was a faulty seal and 1 bearing, told me no way the lift was the culprit! They said my cv angles were less than toyotas recommended max angle. So I will be taking all my paperwork to Toyota and try to get them to pay for the labor. I know it's a long shot, but my brother in law (an attorney) told me I have all the ammo I need to make them pay for the labor and rebuild kit. Hope he's right my front end is within Toyota specification for the normal operating range so they should of fixed the truck.

 

With the front diff causing the vibes between 30mph and 40 mph, when in 2WD experiencing this vibration, does it go away when you let up on the gas? I havent tried to see if it goes away in 4x4, but I notice that it goes away when I take my foot off the gas when the vibe shows up. Any help on this would GREATLY be appreciated.

 

What is the max cv angle? did they tell you?

 

They didn't, but they told me the whole cv angle issue is bs. They told me that when you lift the vehicle without modifying any actual suspension parts (other than struts) the cv joint is at a steeper angle, but it is within the operating range of the stock suspension. So unless you cut the bump stops or other stops to allow for more articulation, the cv is in a normal operating zone. Cv angle is optimal as least angle as possible, but to say an increased angle destroys a diff, is rediculous. The shop I use told me they lift tacomas for all the local dealers on a very regular basis, with the exact kit I have. (ome 886 springs)