Frame Rust Inspection and Brakes

Just sharing my experience regarding the Frame Rust Inspection process with a local dealer.

I dropped my 2010 Toyota Tacoma Double Cab 4x4 V6 (53,000 miles on it) off at Jim Coleman Toyota in Bethesda, Maryland for the frame inspection this morning (10/23/17). According to the "Blue" team service lead, the frame is in really good condition (no significant rust issues). So, the decision now is whether or not to do the Corrosion Resistant Compound (CRC) treatment for free.

After we discussed the good news with the frame, the phone conversation evolved to my front brakes which, according to the Blue team service lead, needs new brake calipers, pads and rotors. And, it was a miracle that I even made it into the dealership with the brakes as they are. The price tag to fix the front brakes on my Tacoma would be $1,460.00. I kindly said no thank you.

I'll be taking the Tacoma into a private repair shop tonight for a brake inspection/repairs (if needed) and a second opinion on the frame in terms of rust.

If the frame is indeed in good shape, should I do the Corrosion Resistant Compound (CRC) treatment? Who has done it? Any regrets?

 

my dealer said same about my brakes and they lasted me another 30k till they started to squeal

they want money

I ended up putting on new rotors and pads my self but hardest part was removing the pins that were rusted in there which is why the dealer might replace the calipers

 

Not called Stealerships for nothing, post some pics of the frame.

 

More than likely the dealer is out for your money. Shocked....

Your brakes are probably good for another 50K miles unless you ride the pedal.
Get a good shop second opinion as you said.

 

Pics of my frame rust (2010 Tacoma in Maryland)

 

That doesn't look to be in "really good shape"
I lost a Tundra to this plague! And unless they changed the CRC recipe all it seemed to do was hide the problem and stop surface rust. Unless they remove 100% of the existing rust.
The issue isn't surface rust but rust within the "layers" of steel, It looks like your is already starting to delaminate.
I would not CRC but bring it in every year for inspection. Unless not CRCing will void you of replacement in the future

 

Your frame looks bad. Dealer probably didn’t want to replace it on their dime. I would have pushed to get it replaced.

As far as your brakes, just do everything yourself for about $200. It’s pretty easy.

 

By Toyota standards that is not a bad frame. Mine has more surface corrosion than yours but they won't replace it until I have a 10mm hole in the frame. (One corner is certainly making its way there) While I agree it shouldn't be considered "ok"- Toyota certainly will not replace it yet as it is still structurally sound, even though it won't last forever. It just sucks.

 

The dealer told me they have to wait till a 10mm socket can be tapped by hand and go through the frame!
Also combined with the Brake story, I would say time to find a new Dealership.
I have to drive and extra 45min to a dealer that is more trustworthy

 

Toyota has specific requirements for inspecting the frame. It's not a go/no-go judgement on visual. Not that the test is much better. They look for perforations and hit specified spots with a hammer to determine a fail. To my eyes yours does look rusty but not as bad as some photos I've seen.

I would not do a CRC coating if they give you the option not to and stay under warranty. The only way to fix rust is to cut it out, grind it off, treat with passivation, prime and paint. Even this is only slowing it down. Rust never sleeps. The coating may have been good when they built the frame but after rust starts all it does is give it cover and lets it churn underneath.

 

The CRC thing is just their way of slowing the issue so they don’t all the sudden have thousands and thousands of frames that need replacing all at one time. Their softening the blow to their wallet.

 

If you get the CRC does it extend your "limited service campaign"?

 

First off, let me fully disclose that I am a Toyota Expert Certified dealer technician, but in no way do I advocate the ways of the dealer. It’s just my job, I enjoy fixing and working on Toyota’s very much, and I’m a total Toyota fan boy at heart.
Now, as far as the brakes...
1400 dollars for a front brake job with both calipers is too much! A normal brake service (front pads, shims, fitment kit, rotors, and pins) would typically run around $550 with labor at my dealer. Toyota charges quite a bit for their calipers (300-400 dollars), and they are known for the pistons seizing here in New England. Even with caliper replacement there’s only an additional .5 hours of labor to bleed the brakes after installing them. Whether or not you actually need calipers at this point is something you should have a trusted technician check for you. I’ve had very good luck with aftermarket rebuilt calipers from Autopart International at work, and they are substantially less expensive than the Toyota branded reman calipers. They also carry their own warranty through API.
As far as the frame goes...
Unfortunately, if there isn’t a hole in one of six sections of the frame greater than or equal to 10mm in diameter, Toyota isn’t going to put a frame on. Trust me when I say that if a dealer can fail a frame, they will. It doesn’t cost you anything, but the dealer makes a ton of money on them, and so do we as technicians. A second gen Tacoma pays 40 hours for a frame job, and a first gen pays 60 hours.
If you do not get the CRC application done when Toyota tells you to, then you will be up shits creek when there is perforation. You should have it done. No it does not fix the issue, and yes it is a crappy way of doing things on Toyota’s part, but you’ll be thankful you did it when perforation does happen and you get your frame replaced under warranty.
I have a 14 single cab, and I’ve applied a waste oil solution to my frame since I bought it. There’s very little surface rust on my frame after two harsh New England winters.

Hope this helps you out.

 

Though AngryYotaTech's first post here should be taken with a grain of New-Englang road salt, it *feels* right (and not that I have any more credibility).

The warranty enhancement document I got from Toyota explicitly says the frame replacement on a 2nd gen will take (just the labor for the replacement) "1 week". This agrees with the "pays 40 hours for a frame job".

Someone else in another thread posted a scan of the Toyota tech's inspection procedure which included a picture of the frame with the six (I don't remember exactly) section of the frame highlighted in which to look for perforations. Perforation in other areas of the frame were immaterial for replacement purposes. That also agrees with Angry.

I expected Toyota to reject future frame replacement claims on a frame previously found "ok" for which the frame coating was rejected by the owner. This confirms (with salt and all) that expectation.

So. Get the coating. It can't be worse that nothing (notwithstanding the claims of those in other threads who seem to confuse rust with some sort of bacterial infection), and if, later, you do need to get the frame replace, Toyota will oblige.

 

I get that post count is a big deal on forums, but all I can tell you is I fix and maintain Toyota’s all day, everyday (except Sunday lol). So if you guys have questions about recalls, SSC’s, LSC’s, or issues with dealers that you have gone to, I’m here to answer questions and provide advise for you. This thread came up while I was skimming the forums, so I joined and replied. Thanks.

 

Thanks @AngryYotaTech
And welcome to Tacoma World

 

Hi - the dealer did not require me to get the CRC and actually communicated the "option" to get or not get. They clearly said I could wait and do re-inspections up until May 21, 2019 (two years from the date of the final court approval). I'm reluctant to do the CRC now as it might just hide the rust.

My strategy, at least for now, to do annual re-inspections at a different/pro-active dealer (one I know that is doing frame replacements). Hopefully I get replacement. After a replacement, then I may do a CRC application with a new frame.

If, after two years I still have the same frame with no replacement, then I may just give up and buy a Yugo and put my 1GR-FE in it.

 

Well that answers the one thing I was not 100% sure about, which makes sense. If your frame doesn’t have excess rot and holes in it, then start oiling your frame on your dime if you want it to last. That is what I do.
The CRC isn’t going to hide the rust. We hit the frames with a hammer and descaling tool. If there is rot, it’ll make an appearance during the inspection. Your frame is not in bad shape from your pictures. I’d start taking care of it so it lasts, then you won’t need a Yugo.

 

Hey guys I'm looking at buying a 2006 xtra cab taco and I asked for pictures of the frame before I drive 5 hours to check it out. Whats your thoughts? Thanks for your help in advanced

 

Go for the drive those pictures don't do that truck any justice