First Trip to the Dealer (repair/warranty)

I went to the dealer today for 2 reasons: fix my chirpy blower, and have them diagnose a "clunk" that's developed in the front. I did not have high expectations.


I have a 2011, and I have only gone to the dealer for parts and free oil changes, and other than long wait times (2+ hours for an oil change!!!) I've had no problems. This was my first time going there for any "repair" work and warranty coverage. I wasn't too optimistic, but I wanted to "test the waters" so to speak, and find out if they would get any business from me in the future.


Within the last month, my truck had developed a definite "clunk" when the taking a hard right at low speed. This was more noticeable while reversing and the wheels fully clocked to the right. Last weekend I took off the wheels and made sure all my suspension and drive-train components were torqued to spec. After a thorough inspection, everything looked good. Reversed out of my driveway, and the clunk was still there. I thought it must be steering related. So, I called the dealer and made an appointment for today.


When I arrived at the dealer today, I saw TW member Mike (Chickenmunga) at the parts counter getting some parts. I let him know what I was hoping to get done today, and neither of us were expecting the outcome to be positive.


I pulled into the service bay, and "checked in". Since I have OME shocks (885 Coils/90k shocks) and LR UCAs up front, and OME shocks with Dakars in back, I thought for sure they would immediately attribute any issues/sounds to the aftermarket parts that I installed myself. The service manager was cocky and assuming, and he immediately began asking run of the mill questions about my lift: "Is it a body lift?" "You got spacers in there?" "Who installed it?" I explained everything I had installed, and he handed the keys to the mechanic, Mike.


I walked around back to the garage, and saw Mike, the mechanic, making the rounds with a torque wrench. I let him know what I had checked/torqued already, and he agreed that it was most likely not suspension related. He was surprisingly "cool" to work with. It was like talking with a mechanic buddy that is actually trying to help, and not feed you bullshit instead of saying "I don't know". He drove it around a couple times, and the clunk was still there so back on the lift it went.

As he was backing my truck out again, he turned hard-right and there was no clunk. I hopped in and we drove around trying to recreate the sound, but it was gone!!! He said both the body-to-frame mounts were loose, especially the driver's side. After tightening them down TIGHT (*34ft/lbs is the proper torque as found by Chickenmunga) the sound had subsided. I have no idea how they got so loose in the first place, but now I know to check on them periodically. Mike didn't have a specific torque spec., but since they have bushings, he said get them as tight as you can.

Here's the bolt you need to check (both sides)


I shook Mike's hand, and thanked him for finding and fixing the problem. We talked for a bit about mods, and the DIY ethos in general. I walked back in to the service bay to sign-off on the work order. The service manager asked "Was it the lift?" with a shitty grin. I explained about the body mounts, and he seemed as surprised as I was. I signed my invoice for $0.00 and thanked them for the good service. The whole process was about 90 minutes, I think it was a pretty successful trip.

After I left (and made sure the sound was truly gone) I called Chickenmunga to let him know the outcome. He said he was going to check his body mounts also. Voilà!!! It seemed to have cured his mysterious front-end sounds too! Could this be an easy fix for some of your impossible to track down noises? Check your front body mounts!!!

 

Pics? I have no idea where those would even be.

 

I will take pics later today. They are the holes on the bottom of the frame rail, behind the front tires. That's where the cab mates to the frame.

 

Here's the mount bolt that needs to be checked:


Same on the passenger side. Tighten to at least 34 ft/lbs torque.

 

subbing for later! thanks!

 

I have been chasing this same symptom for a while now. I'm going to try that and let you know.

 

I hope that fixes your mysterious sound. It worked for me and Chickenmunga. Good luck, let us know if that helped!!!

 

thanks for posting, i have an '11 also. no clunking sound (yet), but at least i can now be proactive and keep an eye on this.

 

Great story and outcome...thanks for sharing!!

 

sub'd for sure

 

Subd

 

It'd be nice if we could find the exact torque specs. for this. IDK, it just seems that 34#'s on a frame mount is on the "light" side? Congrats. on the dealer visit though. You don't often hear of them going so well.

 

What'd they do about the blower? I have the same issue.

 

They installed a new one no problem...it's a common problem, and they will most likely be aware of it. That doesn't mean the new one is not going to go out again in though (at which time I will just get another one under warranty ).

 

I thought so too, especially since I asked the mechanic what torque, and he replied just get it TIGHT!!! Since there's a rubber bushing in there, it shouldn't matter as much but according to this TSB (there was a similar issue on 2005 model Tacos).

 

Another good experience with Toyota of Olympia today.

My airbag light came on a few days ago...my VIN is not part of the "Spiral Cable Recall" so I didn't know if it would be covered or not.

I made an appt. for 8:30 this morning and spoke to the Service Writer, Otay. He checked all the options, and said even though it is not part of the recall he would see if he could get it covered under the powertrain warranty (I have 51,278 miles on the ODO). He was able to pull some strings and get it replaced under warranty, no charge.

Took 3.5 hours at the dealer to get it replaced, but I had my laptop so I was able to work while I waited. All is well now, and they have kept me as a happy customer!