Help - rear leaf TSB denied on 2011 - for "shims"

I know there are a ton of posts on this subject, but this seems to be a new development perhaps. The dealership is telling me that they have to install "shims" as a first step to see if it solves the problem. Can anyone confirm that this is the right course of action?

Background (the story):
I have a 2011 DC LB. Bought it on 8/7/11, and had the rear bottom out on me with about 400 lbs in the back that week. Got an appointment with the dealer and handed them the TSB. After they inspected it, they agreed that the leafs were too weak and that the 4-leaf pack is what I needed and that they would open a case with Toyota to get this done. This is on 8/30.

I call back a couple weeks later, they say that the wrong parts were ordered - they received the plastic pads that go between the leaf ends to get rid of the squeak, and not the leafs. But they said the reordered the leafs.

Fast forward four more weeks (two weeks ago), I call again. Can't get the service advisor on the phone so someone checks with the parts department. "Sure, your parts are here, let's make an appointment." I ask about the parts and they tell me that they are "shims" that go between the leaves. I say no way, they say yes way, and that the service adviser will call me tomorrow to discuss.

He calls and says that the TSB is expired and this is what Toyota has told them to order to fix it. If this doesn't work, then maybe the next step is the 4-leaf pack. I explain that in no way is a "shim" gonna help this problem, because it can't increase the carrying capacity of the weak leaf pack. We're at an impasse.

I call Toyota, and they open a case for the dealership's customer service manager. They won't confirm to me if the TSB is expired, they only seem to be trying to arbitrate between me and the service department, which is still claiming that the TSB has expired and that they have to go through these steps before they'll can move forward with leaf packs.

I'm waiting for a call back today from the Service Manager at this dealership, and I'm calling BS until they show me some documentation that supercedes the T-SB-0359-10.

has anyone else had this recommended course of action dictated by the dealership - to add "shims" before they replace the leaf pack? Can anyone confirm the existence of a new TSB that says "shims" are the fix?

 

Go to a different dealer. They're giving you the run-around. Shims are NOT going to increase load capacity and prevent it from sagging.

The 4 leaf pak is much better.....and I can carry a full scoop of mulch with virtually no sagging.

Your ride quality will get stiffer/firmer. No more cushy cushy ride with the 4 leaf pak.

 

Call Customer Service for Toyota (not the dealership, the main line for Toyota USA) and see what you can get out of them. If these shims are what I'm thinking, they'll get shoved between the leafs and will flex each leaf a little more. It may temporarily solve the problem but it's like adding an AAL to an already whooped leaf pack, it works for a while but is just a band aid for the bigger problem. Go to the top and see if you can get answers.

 

What?? You're getting the Fuc&ing run around. Bail on that dealership and go to another. I had my truck done with no issues. I simpy wrote a letter addressed to the dealership's manager with cc to the owner of the dealership explaining my issue and the availability of the TSB to rectify it and they said "no worries". Parts were ordered and delivered in 1 day. Installed next day. Whole thing went from a Monday to a Wednesday from time I wrote letter until I was driving my truck with the 4 leaf pack installed. For me it was crucial as I have a camper shell, tool box, recovery gear and a sleeping platform in the truck all the time.

 

www.DriveClassic.com

 

go to a different dealer or call toyota corporate.

that's like saying "I cant give you this cure until I punch you in the face. Also, I don't have the cure. Those boxes over there with "cure" on them do not exist"

 

Shims are BS. I too say go to a different dealer.

The shim TSB is for a completely different problem; Squeaky leafs, right? WTF does that have to do with weak, sagging leafs, Toyota?

I just got my leaf TSB done today. Rides likes a dream still. People will try to tell you that it rides 'like a brick wall,' but they must have been raised in the back of a Cadillac, because I can't even tell the difference in the ride.

 

That's bs my dealer did it no questions asked 3 days from when I went in.find another dealer

 

x2

 

I had an issue when i first called my dealer about the TSB. He looked it up and apparently stopped reading at the top where it stated that the previous TSB was expired. I Printed out a copy of it and called him back and explained to him that the previous TSB was expired and that this new one superseeded it. He called the manager and then they installed it a few days later no problem. The TSB clearly states that the top that the old one is expired and the new TSB supreseeds it to include the 2011 trucks.

 

I would definitely find another dealer to perform the TSB. I had my dealer check out my truck for the TSB last week when I was in for a 10K service. They called yesterday to say they have the parts in and are performing the TSB as I post this. As mentioned above they must have been looking at the old TSB because the one that covers 2011's has definitely not expired.

 

well, no good news from the dealers service manager. They say they're only following what Toyota has prescribed for my specific truck and that's it - shims. They say if the shims don't work, then they'll move on to the next step. Guess that's it for that dealer, I'll try another to see if they come up with the same fix and story. If Toyota is actually telling the dealers that this is the fix, then I'm afraid I have lost a lot of love for my favorite car manufacturer.

 

Greg
They are not telling dealers that.
There is no process in any tsb that i have read that tells us to put squeak tsb pads, etc in a truck for "harsh ride"
IT'S STUPID.

You need to get away from that dealer and go somewhere else.

Wish you were closer to me. Would be a non issue replacement here.

 

Hey TacomaMike- Thanks for being on here. Your perspective and advice is pretty valuable.

 

This ^^^

Your dealer's Service Department is beyond lame.

My '09 was done immediately, with no BS, by Broadway Toyota in Portland, OR.
I had the correct, current TSB in hand and described the bottoming out issue with a load. They ordered the parts and did it the following day.

 

Thank you. That means a lot to me.......