Tacoma rear differential failure

I don't know that I would say that my experience is evidence that the problem isn't the differential. If it wasn't the differential, swapping it out would have no change on the sound. I definitely can't say there was no change because it's much louder now. I think they were on the right track.

No, the dealer didn't say that the sound is now normal. They documented that the sound was still there and worse than before. It's on record and the Service Manager agrees that it's not normal. The SM and I just agreed that replacing it with a third new differential likely wouldn't help so we were going to hold off and see if Toyota decided to address the root problem.

 

I believe YOU bro not calling you a liar or anything. You're claiming yours is different then others you've driven right?? Like your Tacoma is making noises that other 3rd gens you've driven do not right?? I agree that means something is wrong.... You get it because you even know its because most of us simply do not have the problem.

Its not cases like yours causing skepticism, the problem is there's several other people saying its on ALL or nearly all 3rd Gen Tacomas, how can we NOT be skeptical about that? It doesn't make any sense and is more easily explained by the noise being in their head or normal road noise. You claim yours is distinctly different so not denying you personally have a problem, but its for sure not wide spread. We've sold and serviced literally over 1,000 3rd gen's already at our Toyota dealership and not a single independent retail customer has complained or mentioned a rear diff howl. I remember ONE person asking about it even though he didn't hear it on his own Tacoma and guess what website he mentioned as reference?? TacomaWorld....

If it was widespread like the transmission fluid and shift delay problems I'd expect to see normal non-enthusiast non-forum customers complaining, which is exactly what happened with the ATF fluid and transmission TSB.

Sucks you're having a problem and I don't deny you have one, I just still don't think its widespread as a lot of people on TW would claim.

 

Not sure where these ring & pinion gears are mfgd but I do know they're made not in the US anymore

The gears are so soft now its very easy to rip the teeth off a ring gear

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...oise-howling-when-feathering-throttle.442341/
The Howling does seem to be a widespread issue that they are aware of but just have not come up with a fix for.