DO NOT TIGHTEN YOUR DIFF BOLTS TO 33 LB FT (READ THIS FIRST)

EDIT:
There's been some confusion, if you have an automatic transmission or any TRD Off Road, go to 18 lb/ft.
ONLY people with manual, non-locker transmissions (Sport, SR, Limited) should to go to 33 lb/ft, at least according to Toyota.


Sorry to shit up the board with another thread about this diff housing stuff but this is SUPER IMPORTANT, you may be tightening your diff way past spec because of this recall.

 

thank you, lots of BS on this site but lots of great info as well! no leak on mine, ill torque when I get home and have them inspect at 5k service.

 

Quick update: I did find a mention of 33 lb/ft on "w/o differential lock" in the very same FSM, but then other things are not matching up...

For instance all the manuals have that larger 8.8 diff, but not all 8.8 diffs are lockers. Does the same housing get different specs because it has a locker? Something is very wacky.

Well anyways in the meantime, hopefully no one is snapping bolts on their diff housings. 18-20 lb/ft should be absolutely fine for the time being, in case I'm proven double-wrong.

 

All manuals have 8.75 diff, however only the OR has the locker. Sport, SR, Sr5, Limited in manuals will have the 8.75 diff with no lockers.

 

Update 2: You'll have to forgive me, I can only read through an 11,000 page document so fast.

OK so it looks like the ONLY diffs that are supposed to actually get 33 lb/ft are BD22A (non locking 8.8's) where the BD22AN and BD20 (everyone else) get 18.

Mystery solved, I will update the OP.

 

So funny story. Not Ha Ha funny. After reading about this I figured I would check for leaking. Didn't see anything visible but since I had my torque wrench in hand I figured I would check. Torque wrench set at 18 all of the bolts were loose and needed a little bit of tightening, get to the last bolt, gave a slight push and this happened
Sheared it right off. WTF!!!???

 

QUOTE="Blazingbluesport, post: 15011661, member: 171181"]So funny story. Not Ha Ha funny. After reading about this I figured I would check for leaking. Didn't see anything visible but since I had my torque wrench in hand I figured I would check. Torque wrench set at 18 all of the bolts were loose and needed a little bit of tightening, get to the last bolt, gave a slight push and this happened
Sheared it right off. WTF!!!???[/QUOTE]

That's a bummer.

It almost looks like if you removed the flat washer that there might be enough to grab on to the end of the stud with a pair of vice grips, and maybe be able to get it out, but you will want to first heat up the end of the bolt enough with a propane torch to loosen any thread locker that on the threads.

If that doesn't work, sand the end of the stud flat and drill it for an easy out and try that along with heating up the stud to soften any thread locker, and lucking it looks like it's one of the studs that you can get to with a hand drill.

 

Instructions unclear. Dick stuck in ceiling fan.

 

For whatever it worth just got off the phone with my dealership. They were aware of the recall and said that replacement of the bolts is part of the recall. Appointment for next Thursday morning. We will see what happens.

 

18 lf/lbs snapped a stud? That's one seriously week stud, or your torque wrench is way out of spec.

 

Right. I triple checked it after it happened. Set at 18. It's a snap-on. Not like it's a POS wrench.

 

Bad metallurgy on the bolt then. That reeeeeally should not happen.

 

How are you going to explain no oil leak and the broken stud.

Here is what the dealer is going to do, and unfortunately if they don't find a leak they may just send you on your way with your broken stud, as a freshly broken off stud is easily identified as opposed to one that has been broken for quite some time.

Remedy

The remedy will involve an inspection to determine if a leak is present between the rear differential and the rear axle. If the vehicle has no signs of a leak, all fasteners will be re-tightened. If a leak is identified, the rear differential carrier gasket will be replaced with a new one, and new fasteners will be installed. If rear differential components are damaged, the rear differential carrier assembly will be replaced with a new one. This remedy will be at no cost to customers.

 

Oh darn, I always get my torque spec's off the Net...

 

Starting to make sense now. This reeks of soft bolts that are stretching.

 

I doubt even an HF torque wrench that's min setting was 15 ft/lbs could be that much out at 18. This is the 2nd time I've seen a snapped stud on the 3rd gen forum. No wonder the factory didn't torque them down, they probably got fed up with the studs snapping

 

On the drive home I was thinking to
Myself, it's under warranty, I'm not touching a bolt on this thing... then I read your post! that sucks!

 

Is it just me or does that one under the sheared bolt look crooked?? Maybe it's the perspective?

Sounds about right. I just checked and my truck is under the recall. Lousy run of metallurgy that's been causing issues- if only it got us closer to figuring out what the howl was!

 

Not so much the sheared stud, but the one right above looked crooked to me when I first look at it.