Need Help with dealership and Toyota

Hello TW,

I hope you're all doing well.
I recently got into an driver front end accident and after repairs by a dealer the vehicle now grind when turning on the drivers side. The dealer says that its due to the truck using an oversized tire versus what the door sticker states. The door sticker and vin decoder state that the correct size is P225/75R15 but I'm running the oem P265/70R16. Its a 02 doublecab with offroad package although the decoder doesn't state this information and the dealer states I just have the standard. Toyota stated that the previous owner may have changed the tires, added lockers, changed door stickers and in order to prove them wrong I need a dealer to confirm that the sticker is mislabeled as P225/75R15. Is there anyone out there that can help me with this or know a dealer in the north eastern side of PA that can help?

Thanks in advance

 

You need to do a second vin lookup (from another dealer) to see what options your truck left the factory with.

Are you the original owner? If not, then you can't be certain that a previous owner didn't do exactly that- swap the rear axle and slap some stickers on.

When you say grinding- is the tire rubbing on the frame/pinch weld? I would consider that rubbing. I generally associate grinding as a metal on metal thing.

 

Sorry about that, its rubbing. I'm the second owner (4th on paper) went from dad son back to dad when the son passed. He stated he didn't change anything and I believe him as it had the original Bilstein's and I just changed the original off-road model spare Rugged Trail dated 02 which is a 265/70R16. I found another one that is mislabeled vin: 5TEWN72N62Z882906

 

265/70 (or 265/75 for that matter) shouldn't rub on anything. Sounds like they fubared the alignment during the repair.

 

Did it grind before the accident? If no, then might want to take it to another mechanic/svc department. If the work was covered by your vehicle insurance, I imagine they want it done correctly. Sounds to me like the repair and or alignment wasn't done correctly or perhaps there is more damage than what they fixed (frame?).

The door sticker shows 3 tire sizes. The two spec sheets you attached do not mention the TRD OffRoad option. If it had the TRD package from the factory, it came with 265/70/16.

This is what my VIN returns --

 

Take it to a shop that knows what they are actually doing.

If the damage was a result of a collision, and the tire didn't rub before the collision... it doesn't f'n matter if you're running 35s, the dealer needs to REPAIR the truck, by putting it back in to the condition it was in prior to the accident. That's what they are being paid for. They don't get to tell you what is, or isn't, factory. This is not a warranty claim.

BTW... the 16 inch TRD OR wheels could have been a dealer installed option, along with the OR "suspension"... rear lockers were also offered as dealer installed option. That's why when people say ALL 1st Gen lockers are 4.10 gears... are wrong.

I'd call my insurance, tell them the problem. Suggest them not pay the dealer, and take it to a real shop that actually knows how to do collision work.

 

Hi all,
Thanks again for the help, here is more info I found about the truck. I'm thinking of having inspected else where and just forking out the money to repair it as its becoming frustrating.

 

Right and because your VIN shows it has the TRD Package (from the factory), it came with 16" wheels and 265/70/16 BFG tires. Tell that dealer/svc person to look it up and it will clearly show it in their own sys.

Better still, do what Matt suggested and have your insurance resolve it.

 

This is easy. Crawl under the truck and see if you have this bolted to the rear differential.

 

He has the factory rear locker.

 

on my 2000 that is the size tire that came stock P225/75R15" I run 235/75R15" on all my Toyota`s

 

I think that list is just to inform you what the abbreviation are.
The original spec sheet OP uploaded is the go by.
It does NOT list the truck as an OR.

 

Nope, that is what is on his truck. Confirmed it via VIN and TIS.

 

Well that’s good to know.
I’ve never seen build sheet that didn’t mention the options installed.
Mine lists SR5 and Off-Road with locker.

 

Here is the rest, can I get my insurance involved if I went through the other person's policy?

 

The fact is, it didn’t grind before the accident.
So it shouldn’t grind now.

Insurance is a PITA to work with.
All I can say, it never hurts to ask.
The answers are never straight forward.
And if you ate not frustrated and ready to give up by the time it’s over. Then it isn’t over.

 

Balentin... bro, call your insurance and explain everything. They should be stepping in to deal with the other party's carrier. Mine would at least. Don't let this go.

As for the dealer stating "previous owner may have changed the tires, added lockers, changed door stickers"... that's a crock of . Probably a case of them screwing up and not owning it or just being lazy. Although can't imagine why since if in fact its an insurance repair then you would think they would be doing as much work as it took to correct the issue.

Call your insurance rep. Tell them what happened (accident, repair) and also explain what the issue is now after the repair and the problem you're having with the svc department.

 

Yes you can.

If that locker sticker is there (not in the stock location) then that's probably why they thought someone swapped an axle in. What's on the flip side of your visor?

 

I'm on hold with my insurance right now, here's their diagnostics.

 

This here?