Slipped LCA bent cam tabs, Dealer wants to replace frame $26k

Ahoy TW.

'23 OR premium in perfect shape, 25k mi. Autobrake from 15 MPH pulled the lower suspension arms out and bent the alignment cam tabs flat. Toyota wants to replace frame for $26,300. Never had any impacts and have platinum extended warranty aside from being under 30k initial warranty.

Toyota says it is not a warranty issue. I found it can be fixed with the Total Chaos 1/4" thk cam tab gusset reinforcement kit for around $700 installed.

The question is, is it worth fighting Toyota on since modifying the frame on a new truck messes up the warranty/resale. I had planned to keep it for 15+ yrs, so resale is probably not a huge concern.

Curious if anybody has had this happen or any suggestions what a reasonable path is. Big deal or not? What irks me is the autobrake was probably unnecessary and the truck literally self-destructed the cam-tabs based on the safety system which they designed, i did not want, nor did i actuate it. Should auto-destruct be under warranty? Thanks if any ideas how to proceed. Truck is stock and perfect otherwise.

Cheers.

 

So your truck auto braked from 15mph and bent the Tabs?

 

Yep. Getting on the highway from a slow moving street. Person in front of me didn't see the onramp was blocked so they presumably autobraked and so did my truck. Tesla behind me autobraked and no collision.

 

So after it autobraked why did you take it to Toyota,experiencing some kind of issue?

 

If sudden hard braking (via the safety system) is enough to ruin the factory cam tabs then the aftermarket Total Chaos cam tab upgrade seems the only logical way forward. I'd then use an alternative dealer for any future warranty work and I'd bet the next dealer never bats an eye at the "modified" cam tabs.

 

Alignment was off after braking. Not bad, and recentered (drive straight) after 100mi with excessive toe-out tracking which felt wrong in turns

 

I've no clue what this means "pulled the lower suspension arms out" or how braking would cause it, either auto or manual from speed.

Why does the frame need replacing.

I'm pretty ignorant, but something doesn't pass the sniff test here. Especially if an aftermarket kit can fix it?

 

Braking torque put rearward torque on the arms and pulled the alignment cams over the alignment tabs, flattening them. Toyota won't weld new tabs and suggests frame replacement to fix the tabs.

 

These exorbitant cost threads that are being posted regularly may call for a rape and violation topic. DAMN . Time for some hardball and luck.

 

Yep this is probably the only rational route. Already ordered the kit and it delivered next day. Having long-term-strategy reconsideration before installing but likely will try to install the Total Chaos kit next week. Kudos to TC for having a solution at hand.

 

I still don't understand why this would not be happening under regular hard braking if the components are so weak.

That is insane. Of course it could simply be the 'go away, we can't be bothered' price.

What a shame it happened.

 

Agreed, am curious how common this is with other trucks. Seems like a pretty weak design.

 

So the tabs are bent on both sides?

 

I suspect so but only took pics of right side. Drove it home and left town. Can't look at it again till tomorow but probably both sides. Would do all 4 cams with the reinf kit given they are apparently so weak OEM.

 

I locked brakes doing 70 once. Nothing is bent

 

I find it VERY hard to believe that hard braking, no matter is the customer or the truck itself braked would cause this issue. I'd bet this was something someone did at some point in a shop, be it a toyota one, or someplace itself. There is NO stress on this part from mere braking and any tard with an ASE plaque on the wall knows this. They just hope YOU don't.

I'm betting THEY did it and are trying to place the blame on the hard braking to cover their ass.

 

So after it braked..how long was it till you took it to the dealer ,and took the pic of the Tab?

 

Perhaps there was a defect in OPs OEM cam tabs to begin with and rather than the dealer and Toyota addressing a very expensive warranty claim, they are blaming it on braking and telling him to pound sand.

 

If you look at the tabs and the cam, you can tell someone tried to turn it [at some time in the past] and bent the tabs out, the marks prove it.

 

So the moral of this story is "braking bad"!