Leaking again badly [was: Update: on my truck with leaking diff [was: few things I noticed...]

Yup.. driving down the road, howling noise graduated to a loud crunch, and jerked violently and stopped on the freeway. All the lights on my dash lit up like christmas and was gone. I was going about 60, and came to zero in couple of yards. Engine died. I was terrified. On this freeway nobody follows speed limits, and every day there's a grave accident. I tried to push the start button couple of times. I will tell you one thing I learned the hard way. There is nothing like having a key and that nice cranking sound. With this fancy push start, I keep pushing it and nothing happens for a seconds which felt like eternity all the while my heart is beating outside of my chest. It finally started and I drove to the side, nearly colliding with another car as I was trying to switch lanes from the far left to right side buffer lane. This truck was at the dealership with this leaky problem for almost a month , aannd it's back there again. and they gave me their corolla to drive home. icing on the cake. -e

 

Holy crap that's scary. I'm with you on the key ignition......I'm just glad you got off the highway safely!

 

Damn that sucks. The last I heard from you you were all excited about all the stuff you bought for it. hope things get sorted out. has there been any other horror stories this bad on the 3rd gens?

 

Not acceptable ... hope you end up with a 17 upgraded model on Yotas dime.

Sub'd for outcome

 

Damn

 

Sounds like your diff may have exploded on you after running for so long with no fluid...if it did, you are lucky you didn't get into an accident.

Toyota has quite a bit to do for you here....

And screw that if you don't want a corolla call toyota corporate and explain everything that happened and that you want a truck to drive while it's in the shop. You paid for a truck or are making payments on a truck, not to be out of one for almost 60 days total (if this is differential related). The first time it happened, ok at least they put you in a rental, but second time?? It's time for them to start stepping things up for you. If your differential exploded, toyota replaced it and endangered you on the highway, they should be happy to cater to you to avoid a lawsuit and/or lemon law.

 

Edit: Scrapped

Best of luck to you OP.

 

Please, do yourself, and everyone else, a favor and log a complaint with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA):

https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/VehicleComplaint/

It is the only way for these problems to be raised and pushed to be made recalls... everyone that is experiencing these issues should file a claim. Only way to push Toyota to recall and fix these issues...

 

Why was your diff pressurized?

 

Just pulled the vent fitting. It's actually a check valve. Let's air out but not in. I was probably hearing the vacuum release rather than air escaping. Mine is working fine.

 

You should send these messages to Toyota and a lawyer.Anew truck is not soppose Kill You!!!!Again good luck keep us informed.

 

Damn....I hope Toyota does the right thing and really hooks you up!

 

Update?

 

This problem sounds like a failed carrier bearing (perhaps from low fluid or misallignment with the axle shafts), followed by a ring and pinion misalignment (from bearing galling), then catastrophic gear failure.

 

I am not sure how Toyota sets the pinion depth, but I have seen problems there with poor pinion preloading hardware changing the preload and throwing the backlash out. Eventually the pinion depth could go far enough out, and open the backlash to critical levels.

 

Ain't staking the pinion nut?

 

Good point. I've seen that too.

 

I am quoting a Ford 9 inch rear end guru:
"A common problem is worn carrier bearings, as indicated by a low-pitch rumble above 20 mph. On vehicles with C-clip axles, the noise may vary while negotiating turns. Worn pinion bearings can cause whirring noises at all speeds, under deceleration and/or acceleration. Pinion bearings tend to whir, rather than rumble, because the pinion is turning several times faster (depending on gear ratio) than the carrier. Badly worn bearings can also cause howl if they do not support the gears correctly." Randy's R&P

 

Just checking in E and seeing how everything is going?

 

That looks like San Diego

Any update?