Shady Mechanic, or No?

The roar, which I contributed to the larger tires, is apparently the wheel bearing. I’m going to order and replace both on the front end. I’ve heard it for awhile and have almost become used to it. I would label it more of a hum, than a roar.

 

Jack it up and wiggle the wheel to see if there is looseness in the bearings. 1 of my front wheel bearings went from quiet to “OMG, I’m not even gonna drive this another foot”, within 70 miles. I was 70 miles from home when it started making noise. By the time I got home it was pretty loud. When I jacked it up, it was sloppy loose. When I popped the seal out of the bearing, the cage was disintegrated and all the rollers were on the bottom.

 

It's been a while since I've tore down a Toyota rear, but I curious as to why he took apart the drum assembly? I don't ever remember ever having to take any of the rear brake apart, just 4 bolts, disconnect the rear brake line and slide the axle out.

 

Jacked it up, and it seems tight. Does make a little noise when spinning. I’ve replaced the wheel bearings on my previous truck before, 04 F150, and the noise was unbearable. Not to mention, there was a ton of resistance when trying to turn.
After installing the lift and bigger tires, I noticed the humming, along with a rattle sound in the rear while coasting. Neither has caused me any issues. Just minor annoyances.

 

My passenger side sounded like rusty skateboard bearings when I spun it, my driver side was dead quiet. I had both replaced from that link I posted previously

 

I believe the coup de grâce of this endeavor would have to be the lugs that were torqued to, I believe, 125 ft/lbs... That seems very excessive, but was informed it’s needed for aluminum wheels...

 

Holy crap! I wonder what torque the lug stud busts off at. 127?

 

When I first read 2.5 weeks for a gear install I knew something wasn't right immediately.

 

Worse, he doesn't know he screwed it up.

 

Bullshit 125lbs. I’ve had aftermarket aluminum wheels my whole life never torqued over 85lbs and have never had one come off.

 

After spending close to 5 hours with him at his shop today, I’d say he’s a really good mechanic, with little experience or knowledge with newer Toyota trucks. We both initially suspected the drum for the popping sound we were hearing. After tearing it apart, cleaning every component, and reassembling, the popping noise was still present. We lubricated and cleaned everything from suspension, to driveline, with no affect on the noise. However, the infamous “coasting dry bearing sound” that haunts lifted regular cabs had disappeared after lubricating the slip yoke. While this had us both feeling accomplished, shortly after we were back to feeling defeated again. I noticed while giving the truck a good inspection, that the u-bolts were around 45ft/lbs. We both felt that was too loose. After tightening all 8 of them to 85ft/lbs, the noise completely stopped. I’ve driven the truck now in 20-30 min intervals around the farm and through town, with nothing but the sound of my tires. I don’t feel as though this was related to the work that he had performed. I assume it was either a coincidence, or the u-bolts wanted to act out after being on a lift for so long. Either way, all is well in the world. I did offer to pay more as I felt I had pushed his schedule further behind, but all he requested was a Facebook review. While I was quick to jump to conclusions and assume the worst, he ended up being a really good guy. Therefore, I have changed my vote. While I initially suspected he might be another shady mechanic, he turned out to be someone who made a few honest mistakes and acted quick to fix them.

 

My thoughts and they are just my opinion. Having to buy a tool to check backlash is very alarming to me. Anyone who knows how to do gear changes would have this and doing gear changes from what I've seen and heard is not a thing you just do. You must have experience and knowledge. I have completely taken apart a Toyota rear and put in a loc-rite with zero issues(a few times), but I would never attempt a gear change. I pray you have no issues, but I suspect you may. Good luck and I hope to hell the guy gave you some type of warranty.

 

Hers a lesson, transmission shops (guys) fix transmissions, not rear/front ends. Totally different set of skills required.