Large piece of metal found in my rear differential...I'm a bit pissed at Toyota's quality

Wouldn't be too concerned. As others have mentioned, it is pretty small.

 

Do we all believe the magnet actually holds the metal piece in-place during vehicle operation? The magnet is weak and the fluid flow is FURIOUS. Take a look at the video at time stamp 3:10. I believe the magnet holds nothing during vehicle operation and only after the vehicle has stopped does it grab the pieces as they fall back down to the bottom.

https://youtu.be/9-yG3D3JBRs

 

You have no idea what youre talking about do you.

 

If that were the case nothing would survive. Every piece of metal would circulate and be ground into paste by the ring and pinion.

 

Yep. You need not believe me. The video shows all we need to know.

 

Very true, wouldnt be anything left if it was circulated around the diff.

 

Test it out. Affix a metal piece to the magnet and run your truck for 100 or more miles. See if its still there. I’ll be happy to fund the fluid change in the name of science.

 

Sounds like you owe OP 2 qts of gear oil and an hour of shop time.

 

The picture in the original post shows the piece of swerf stuck to the magnet and embedded under layers of metal paste.

 

This is the correct course of action. Not demanding a new rear end and a free warranty. Being a Karen from the start gets you nothing but resistance.

 

There is a 0% chance you would get a new diff or extended warranty.

 

True, but going in with an entitled attitude doesn't serve the person well. I used to deal with all sorts of guests at a very large theme park. Those that brought their issues to me in a calm and collected manner always got taken care of to the extra mile, but those coming in huffing and puffing making demands got the absolute bare minimum of service, with a kind attitude on my end because I understand the frustration but I am not the one to take it out on.

 

I agree 100%. However this isn’t even an issue. There seems to be trend on here lately where new owners expect their mass produced pick up trucks to meet the quality standards of a hand-assembled Rolls-Royce that’s 100x more expensive.

 

The magnet exists for a reason. If you're really worried, bring it to Toyota and request an inspection but I don't think you'll have any detriments. The gears slosh the diff oil up, this probably (as something more dense than oil) just sat at the very bottom without churning, or has been attached to the magnet under all the metal sludge from day 1.

That being said, I wouldn't hesitate to drain and refill my diff every 15k/24k kilometers with or without severe use. The majority of days during our 6 month winters my truck will have had 4WD engaged, and I try for every weekend in the summer to have some fun and connect with the community.

Edit: Both paragraphs were barely cohesive so I fixed it up a bit lol

 

Trade it in for a Chevy or Ford. I've heard those rear-ends never have problems

 

People change their gear oils? Hmm... I should probably look under my truck some day.

 

But it looks like you're looking under in your profile photo... must be easy with that oompa loompa stature.

All jokes of course, still trying to figure out how high of a ledge your truck is on on, or how far behind it you are.

 

that's normal. i changed mine at 500 miles and there were a bunch of metal shavings

 

I stopped reading after that

 

Diff oil in my experience as a tech always has a gnarly burnt smell to it, new or old. It smells a mixture of ripeness and burning electronics (mmm synthetic). Can't stand it.