TS-SB-0053-16 Plugs (Howling or Whistle from LCAs)

Exactly, my time is worth a lot. That's how I measure DIY projects. If I can pay someone to do it cheaper than "my time" then I do it. I came to this reasoning after multiple deployments, missing family functions, spending time with the kids etc. that now my time is worth a lot.

The plugs are for the lower control arms. There are drain holes on the bottom of the LCA that when wind blows across them it makes a whistling noise. Sometimes faint and sometimes loud.

 

I understand people time is important. However if you have time to browse TW, then you have 5 min to stop at the dealer quick to get it ordered and a few min at your convenience to stop in and have them installed. It's a simple fix. In fact it might take you just as long to go to lowes and find the plugs and cash out then it would to have this TSB done.

 

ah ok thanks

 

My situation was different. The service dept wanted my truck all day. If I chose to wait they said maybe 3 hours. They have to road test it, log it etc. if my truck was going for the 10k service that's different. It would already be there. An all day drop off or 3 hour wait vs. $30, the $30 is well worth it.

I tried to get them to look at it quickly and just pop in the plugs but no deal.

 

That's understandable to me. A lot of place want you to drop it off so that way they can work on it at their convenience. It's usually a lot different if you go in and tell them your going to wait. Some dealerships might still put you in the back burner and keep you there for an extended period of time. I can tell you at our auto group, they would pretty much have you in and out. As far as duplicating the issue. That's up to the advisor. Most don't want to tie up their time, or their techs. So if the TSB matches up with the complaint and it's something as simple as ordering cheap plugs, believe me most will just go ahead and do it.

 

this is one reason at times I will pay for a repair over warranty
I had this problem a lot with VW when my wiper motor kept breaking
In one year it broke 3 times fixed under warranty.
on the 4th time I had enough and the dealer couldn't do it for 4 days.
Went to my mechanic he did it the next day while I waited, cost me $320, in the 5 years since I had it fixed by him its yet to break again.

Missing work or other stuff to work around the dealers schedule to fix something that keeps breaking cost me more than paying my mechanic to fix it right the first time and not have any problems again.

Just wondering what are these plugs you can find at lowes for them? I don't care to spend a few bucks to get it done fast myself.

 

would love to know as well.

 

You could prob measure the diameter of the hole and go to the hardware section and find something.

Looking at the plugs I bought from Toyota, they're not that special.

 

Here are the plugs I used from Lowes. Screen capture is from a TW member. There's 2 in each pack so you'll need 1 pack of 11/16 and 2 packs of 9/16. I bought the 3/4 plugs as well, but none of the holes in my LCA were big enough so I didn't use them.

 

Does someone have a video of their truck howling or making the whistle sound? I can't determine if mine is doing the same thing.

 

Thanks!

 

That sucks! My dealer simply ordered a set of plugs for me when I asked about the issue which I had read about on TW. They installed them when I got the TSB transmission flash done which they never questioned either. Great service department...SUPER Toyota Tech. Before that they had changed out the right rear door seal (fits correctly now) and a squeaking bushing on the passenger's side front end. So far, 4 trips to the service department...transmission fluid check (1 qt. low-overnight stay), rear window seal replacement (30 minutes), transmission reflash/plug installation (30 minutes), and bushing replacement (30 minutes). Truck now has 9K on the "clock" and I couldn't be happier with how it runs/performs. However (according to TW) other things can still happen such as odometer resetting, howling rear end, and defective crankshaft sensor just to name a few. The tech gave me his phone number and said to just let him know if any of these other issues crop up. Sold a 12' TRD Tundra to get the 16' SR5 V6 Tacoma. If I have any major problems I'll probably go back to the Tundra.

 

I got my TSB plugs yesterday. Months ago I installed the Lowes plugs and the problem was fixed, but 2 weeks ago I scheduled my 5k service with oil change, AT fluid check, and AT TSB for shifting weirdness. I figured what the heck, I'd let the dealer go ahead and fix the howling so I removed my plugs. I also called first to ensure they had the parts.
And sure enough, for the 3rd time this year, when I pick up the truck I'm told the plugs aren't in stock and I'll need to reschedule. I went right to the service manager and expressed a few thoughts. He finally agreed to ship them to me, with the full understanding that the warranty work isn't covered if I install them and they are not responsible for the problem now.
What an experience!

 

Does plugging these holes cause the LCA to hold water or something? Why have the holes in the first place I wonder...

 

Can you please post some pictures of all the holes you plugged? (In your truck)

 

Is this not related to the howling of the door seal/A pillar whistle? Or is this different?

 

They took care of it for my '17. I checked mileage before and after the service, and I don't think they even drove it to verify. Mine mostly only does it when it's pretty windy out.

 

Does anyone have an actual copy of the tsb?

 

This was the only issue i had with my truck. Dealer ordered (without driving). Plugs came in a couple days. Stopped by and they installed them in minutes.

 

Not dealing with the service department if I don't absolutely have to. I ordered the plugs from the Toyota dealer listed in the TSB using that part number they were $3.30 each and they are softer and rubber compared to hard plastic plugs at Lowe's.
There's a copy of the TSB floating around here