Dealer says I need a new drive shaft...

The truck is an 07 access cab pre runner (94K miles) with a clicking sound described here:
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/333075-clicks-off-line-when-accelerating.html

Dealer reports it is either the the driveshaft splines or the ujoints, but recommends replacing the entire driveshaft. I called a second toyota dealer to get a second opinion about replacing the whole drive shaft and spoke to a tech saying they recommend the same thing, because in the past that has been the only fix for the problem. Ext warranty company will only cover ujoints because Toyota has them listed as serviceable. My toyota dealer will only replace the entire shaft, resulting from "previous issues with liability involving the dealer ending up paying to have the entire shaft replaced".

The truck is stock but will be lifted 2-3" after this issues is taken care of, and will be mostly street and highway (80%).

Options:
-Tom Woods One piece DS
-Replacement from the dealer $1100 out of pocket

I appreciate any feedback on what TacoWorld members think is the best course of action

 

Is the Woods DS one size fits all? Meaning same length not matter how much lift?

 

The dealership is likely recommending you replace the entire driveshaft because it saves them from pressing u-joints. I highly doubt there is an issue with the splines on the driveshaft unless you beat the ever living shit out of your truck (in which case I'd still guess the rear end would give up before the drive shaft splines are impacted). Your issue is likely a bad u-joint(s) and/or a failing carrier bearing if you have one (not sure if the AC models have a carrier or not). I wouldn't consider replacing the whole drive shaft unless you bent your current one.

 

This is what I had initially thought, but when I talked to a tech from a neighboring dealership he said in his experience that the problem is 50/50 ujoints and/or splines and that new ujoints may fix the problem, but probably won't. Interesting thing is neither dealership has any supporting documentation to support these claims.

 

Speak to your warranty provider, they should be able to work something out with the dealer or another repair shop so you don't have to come out of pocket.

 

just went through this about a month ago..

had the same sounds/issues. turned out to be bad U joints..

so.. 3 new u joints and a new carrier bearing (just to be safe) later.. all is well.

replace the u joints. start there.

 

The dealerships around me won't even attempt to replace u-joints or the carrier bearing, they just replace the whole drive shaft. Since it sounds like the dealerships around you do the same thing, I can't see how either dealership could have any supporting evidence to backup their claim. That is case in point why I tried to keep my truck away from dealerships. There are some great techs that work in dealerships but there are just as many that I wouldn't trust to change my oil, let alone diagnose a driveline issue. It's just not what they do so they don't have a lot of experience with it. A dedicated driveline shop would be the place to go unless you're doing the work yourself.

 

Get it taken care of for less than the dealer wants for just the bearing, using OEM parts

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/323396-rebuilt-driveshaft-doesnt-need.html

 

Do this OP. i took my truck to our local trusted Driveshaft shop that myself and many other local members have used.

 

So, you've got an extended warranty that's supposed to repair issues?

You bought the extended warranty from the dealer?

The warranty won't cover driveshaft replacement?

The dealer won't do just the u-joint replacement that is all the warranty is willing to pay for??

Did I get that right? ! ? !

I'd start escalating that m**rf***r up the chain of responsibility. Extended warranties aren't a great investment in the first place but if you paid all the coin for their expensive car mechanical insurance policy they damn sure ought to fix your truck for you.

 

I'd go to a driveline shop if I was paying out of pocket.

But if I had a dealer purchased extended warranty and had been taking my truck to have it worked on at the dealer - I'd demand that they not put me into the middle of their dispute with their extended warranty provider that they're hawking.

 

Just change the ujoints

 

Did you explain things to the service writer? Maybe he can charge the whole drive shaft costs as ujoints and everyone is happy.

 

The only reason the dealer isn't replacing the U joints is that it takes more time (money) and they get to sell an entire drive shaft assembly vice a few U joints (money).

That being said you have an extended warranty. Are you Sure they will not cover the repair by the dealer? I would ask for that response in writing.

 

Have the ext warranty replace the ujoints.

 

This may be completely different from what you have but I hit a puddle in florida that bent the heat shield around the gas tank so that it was touching the driveshaft. When it was touching the driveshaft it would click. The catch was it wasn't caught right away because if the truck wasn't moving it didn't touch the driveshaft

 

Probably have to work with the extended warranty company; if the problem isn't fixed with the universal joints, they'd have to go the next step and put in a rebuilt drive shaft.

Assuming this is NOT a Toyota Vehicle Service Plan?

IMO the reason it's probably the ujoints/carrier bearing as on prerunners there are (likely) no zerks to apply grease. (this is true on my '12 v6 and probably your '07); therefore the only grease the joints see is at assembly.

There is a ts-b 0250-12 for 05-12 prerunners (December 2012) to replace drive shafts within 5yr/60k but that's for clunk/thunk (bump from behind) resolution. If the Extended warranty is Toyota VSP they should just do this. Aftermarket, have them do what they'll pay for and then decide-go to other dealers as necessary.

 

Odd. My 2012 Prerunner has zerk fittings on the U-Joints.

 

Sounds like ujoints

 

Thanks for all your responses. I have decided to take my taco to a driveline shop in my area for further evaluation. If anyone has had a positive experience with a shop in the Inland Empire, Orange County, or Socal please post it here.