Has anyone had theharsh ride tsb done after the warrantee ran out?

Did toyota pay for it?
Thanks for looking
Olddog

 

You say harsh ride, mine rides almost the same as before after I had mine done. I highly recommend it. I had to do an emergency dash a few states over to Alabama and had to bring back about 500 #'s of personal belongings after a death in the family and all the way back the truck bottomed out on the springs. That changed my mind about having it done. Since then had a 500 # ATV in the back and she rode level and did not hit the bump stops.

 

How many miles out of warranty are you?

 

I have a 2008 Tacoma that I had looked at by the dealer for a harsh ride this past March. I told them that I noticed it didn't quite feel right since the previous fall, but as it was so gradual I wasn't sure if it was a problem.

I called Toyota first, got a case number, then went to the dealer and they wrote up an estimate of $2400 for having weak leaf springs and bottoming out. Toyota is telling me that they will only pay 50% because my truck is over mileage (right now it is at 86,000) I explained that I recently found out about the TSB bulletin and had I known that I could have had defected parts I would have brought it in sooner. They claim it isn't a safety issue so owners weren't notified. I tried to explain that I thought it was an issue as aside from not being able to put any weight in the truck now, that I also transport my dogs in the back.

My first 97 Tacoma was recalled for the rusted out frame. Nothing at all wrong with that truck, everything original at 272,000. I bought a new Tacoma based on my experience with that truck. I'm very disappointed that I have to spend what I feel is a significant amount of money on a vehicle that I bought on it's reputation of dependability.

Has anyone been able to get their truck repaired over the warranty/miles by Toyota? I really don't have the $$ to be putting into what I consider a "new" vehicle.

Thanks for any responses.

Jeannine

 

You can buy a SkyJacker AAL kit for $120. Shouldn't cost more than an hour of labor to have them installed.

 

Brinng the truck to a local spring shop...they can rebuild your existing spring packs for probably a few hundred with an extra leaf and retain stock ride height.

If it was me, I would order some leaves, right width and thickness from www.espo.com, springs and things, trim to the correct lenght with a cut off wheel, install with new center pin and u-bolts. No need to even pull the spring bolts. Last time I did this, parts were under $100.

Howard

 

I'm not sure I understand. Replies are that I can fix this for a few hundred bucks? why is my quote from the dealer for leaf springs, u bolts, and hardware, and I assume labor, $2,300.00?

 

^ Quite simply, markup on OEM parts at the dealer is very high (Toyota's markup is ~300%, the dealer then tacks on ~40%). If you have a non-TRD truck, the TSB work also includes new shocks. Does your quote from the dealer include new shocks?

 

the quote does not specify shocks but I would think for that amount it does. It's not TRD, but it is an access cab 4x4 and is in the bulletin. I would have had it taken care of earlier if I knew about it. I noticed that I couldn't put as much weight in the back and the ride is very rough.

I guess I should just accept the 50% that Toyota is willing to pay, I just feel that for a truck this young even with the mileage this shouldn't be happening. I didn't have replace a leaf spring on my 97 until 5 yrs and that was only because I drove it in a ditch.

 

1.5" AAL = $50. Bilstein 5100 front shocks = $182. My time and effort = free.

That's what I did.

 

This is actually not a defect per se. The original soft springs are in fact the best for the way most Americans use mid-size pickups - with the bed empty. This is why Toyota continues to produce new Tacos with soft springs and offer the stiffer springs as a TSB.

Like other have said, if you are past warranty, there's no sense in paying so much for the TSB parts (which aren't that good, just severely marked up). Add-a-leafs are in the $100 range. Complete replacement springs are under $400. All-Pro springs as an example:

 

I haven't had much luck with the add-a-leaf kits, they tend to add too much arch...and I don't think new shocks are required on the NON TRD trucks.

The dealer is making money on the 1/2 offer they are trying to sell you...

Howard

 

Toyota offered me 50% of repair cost. My truck needs front and rear shocks and leaf springs. The dealership has been great (Balise) and I will be getting the work done. My truck currently has 86K.

 

Buy an aftermarket: www.trdparts4u.com Original Toyota Tacoma leaf springs and shocks are junk!


Old Man Emu / Dakar Leaf Springs much better!


Mine was TRD, but even TRD suspension was junk. Old Man Emu (OME) shocks work great!