How to approach service dept with issues

Ive got a few things I want/need checked out and done to my truck. Trying to avoid the "We couldn't duplicate the noise" thing. Feel free to chime in with whatever.

*Got the engine ping. TSB0044-14. TSB says hot weather, mine is doing it in the cold. When i called to ask that was the first thing I was told. I left it at that and got off the phone.

*When I apply the brakes in reverse the rears make a fairly loud clapping or smacking sound. Then the first time I brake while in drive after being in reverse I hear it again. I know drums self adjust when in reverse (i think) but this is excessive. The brakes all seem to work just fine though. Its loud enough to turn heads in a parking lot.

*Also, just to note I seem to have a creaky front drivers side shock, I think anyway. Think I'll have them look into that too. Non-TRD/Sport so the basic black shocks. Looking to get Bils 5100's... a diasgnosis of "its your shock" would actually not be too bad and lead me to buy the 5100's sooner!

The first two issues seem to warrant me having the service writer ride along with me, especially the ping since I'm running mid-grade gas right now and its less noticeable... still there though.
Anyway, any thoughts, questions, comments, tips?? Thanks

 

I deal with this most every day.

Sometimes you can not duplicate the customers list.

Myself I would type out your list of problems keeping things plain and simple .

I must admit sometimes noises are so faint and random they are impossible to find

** Toyota brakes adjust via the use of the emergency brake .

Your noise might be a bad bushing or something else working loose

 

the noise you hear when you back up this the front brake pads shifting to the bottom of the caliper and when you go forward you hit the brakes again cause the pads shift to the top. its common with the caliper design of these trucks. you can add some lube to the pad ends and it will fix it. i work at a dealer and people always complain about that.

 

Thanks for the replies. Just got home, had the TSB performed (although had to pay for it, I'll add more to the TSB thread.. seems better though).
The pad shift is the exact explanation I was given. Makes sense, just never heard it before and this is my 3 Toyota truck and 10th vehicle I've owned. Every car I've changed brakes on never seemed to have enough play between pad and caliper, not an expert though.
The worn bushing seems feasible, definitely something croaking under there. Getting 5100's will either rule out or pinpoint the shock.

 

Ur brakes are the pads floating back and forth.....normal

 

I guess since I lube the pads I never seem to have had this issue.