Stealth X Tacoma, Maintenance and Stuff

I also picked up enough oil from the dealership to do my next two oil changes.
I recently rolled over 2000 kms.
I haven't decided when I'll do my first oil change but I believe it will be before 8000 kms

 

So these arrived today!

 

My oil filter housing removal tool arrived a couple days ago.

 

Time to play catch-up!
On the 21st I did the following:
- Installed the Redline Tuning Hood Struts
- Did my first Oil Change @ about 3000kms
- Swapped out the factory plastic oil filter housing with the OEM Toyota Aluminium one I ordered
- Swapped out the factory drain plug for one with a magnet.

 

I am having the very popular rear diff hum/whine at 55mph plus when feathering the throttle.
Since toyota is, at the moment, calling this a normal sound I am going to try something @BamaToy1997 suggested.

Hum on deceleration

"I would say to try this:
Go to the parts store and buy 4 bottles of Mobile 1 synthetic differential fluid.
Get 1 bottle of Lucas gear oil additive.
Drain your rear differential and then reinstall the drain plug.
Add the bottle of Lucas FIRST.
Add the Mobile 1 until your differential is full.
Install the fill plug.
Go out to where you have an open area of road with the least amount of cars, and a speed limit of at least 45 MPH.
Hard accelerate until you hit 50 MPH, trying to keep no higher than 3rd gear.
Coast down to 25 while still in 3rd.
Shift to 2nd and hard accelerate to 50 again in 3rd, coast to 25. Do this again a 3rd time but this time come to a stop, downshifting as needed and allowing the engine to slow you down.
Now do a normal acceleration to 50 shifting to 4th, coast to 35. Repeat a total of 3 times.
Finally start driving normally and see if this noise is still present."

To that end I ordered some Lucas Oil Anti-Squawk / Anti-Shudder Additive:
http://lucasoil.com/products/gear-oil/anti-squawk-anti-shudder-additive

This should arrive tomorrow.

Instead of Mobil 1 Rear Diff Fluid I'm going to use Redline 75W85 GL5 Rear Diff Fluid.
That has also been ordered and should be in next week.

 

One of my favorite mods to date.

Wish I didnt wait a year to install them lol

Nice truck!

 

Thanks man!

 

I have had my Redline hood lift shocks installed now for close to 3 years and it is DEFINITELY one of my favorite mods!

 

Received!
Thanks to Ivan from Parts Source!

 

And this finally arrived today!

 

I changed my rear diff fluid today and added the Lucas product as well.
I followed @BamaToy1997 instructions with the break in procedure afterwards.
At this point the noise is still there when feathering the throttle.

The drain plug had lots of crap stuck to it.
I was surprised as to how contaminated the fluid had become in 4300 kms.

 

Keep that paper towel and take your findings to the service department. Don't talk to an advisor or a tech. Ask to speak DIRECTLY to the service manager and show him.

 

Really?
I chucked it but I can dig it out.
What would I be trying to accomplish?
Serious question.

 

It would better support your argument that something is genuinely wrong and should be addressed by warranty. If memory serves correctly didn't you take it in and they said there was nothing wrong with it?

 

Ok, that makes sense. No I haven't said boo about anything going on with the truck.

 

I live 1hr away from the dealership I prefer to deal with so for the time being I have emailed the service manager with my findings and the pictures of the drain plug, towel and used fluid condition.
I really do not want another differential until they have fixed the issue.
@BamaToy1997 do you have enough information to go on to suggest what on the diff is put together incorrectly to cause my symptoms?

 

As I mentioned, I emailed my dealership yesterday concerning the rear end noise and the condition of the fluid after a mere 4300 kms.
My email in part:

"I have had a rear end howl that has gotten louder over the 4300kms I have put on the truck. It occurs only when I am driving on a decline or on flat road and feathering the throttle. This occurs anywhere from 80 kph and above.
Being the person that I am, I checked the fluid level in the front and rear diff and in the manual transmission the day after I purchased the truck. In my research I had found that many 2016+ Tacomas were being delivered to customers with low fluid in these areas. I requested that the sales dept arrange to have these fluid levels checked for low fluid prior to me taking possession of the truck but they refused. So, I purchased differential fluid and MTF from Trevor the day I picked up the truck in case it was needed. I am aware that the FSM states that 5mm below the fill plug and above is acceptable but the fluid in all three areas were below 5mm. The rear diff required 700ml, the front diff 300ml and the transmission 300ml.
As a preventative measure I recently changed the diff fluid in my rear differential. I am going to attach some pictures of the shmoo stuck to the magnetic drain plug, a towel that I cleaned the drain plug with and a picture of the fluid showing the particles that have contaminated that fluid so completely.
This is not my first tacoma, nor my first time examining used differential fluid.
I’m looking to see what you think of the pictures and what your suggested for a course of action."

Service managers response:

"Thanks for the email regarding your concern of the rear differential fluid condition on your Tacoma. This is not contaminated fluid and is a normal condition . It does not represent any defect in materials it is the product that accumulates as the gears and axles rotate and eventually causes the fluid color to change darker. No action should be taken . I realize that you are quite a distance from our dealership but any local Toyota dealer can test drive your vehicle with you in regards to the noise you hear."

Frankly I am surprised. @BamaToy1997 what do you think?

 

Sounds like a "canned response" from a service advisor who is not familiar with rear differentials. There should be nearly ZERO noise from a differential that is working properly. And whine or howl noise present under load or coast is an indication that something is not right. When I was working for GM I would have to replace ring and pinion gears or adjust preload and backlash a couple times a week on various trucks due to this kind of noise. I wouldn't give up. At this point I would see about agreeing to their request to have a closer dealer take a look at it. Ask to go on a ride with a shop foreman or service manager to show them the noise you are hearing. If they agree with the other dealership and say that it is "normal" then I would contact Toyota Corporate office and provide them with everything you have. Be polite and kind, but firm. Don't be argumentative or condescending. Remember, the minute you lose your temper or yell, you lose the battle and they will get defensive.

 

its crazy the 16's and 17's dont come with hood struts

 

Wtf Toyota?!?!?!?! ​